Conserving Energy at Home
With the new development of working from home and staying safe during this global crisis, it is likely that there is now more energy consumption at home. To make a big difference on your electricity bill and environment there are small steps one can take and form as daily habits. Here are some helpful tips for conserving energy and saving money on your bill.
For household electronics, forming simple safety precautionary and power conscious measures are the bet. Of course, most of these practices might be new or a bit alien to most of us. However, what is really required is a conscious effort.
1. Plug devices into one power strip (power extension) and power off when not in use.
2. Stream media on small screens like cell phones and tablets. These require less power to function
3. Turn down brightness features and open your curtains during the day – not only does this conserve power, it also (reducing the brightness on your screens) saves your eyes.
4. There is no need to leave appliances running when they are no longer in use.
5. Charge your mobile phone and/or tablet for a few hours (that’s all that’s needed), rather than overnight.
As mentioned earlier, being able to conserve power while working from home is majorly dependent on forming small good habits to replace the ones we already have.
1. Turn off and unplug appliances when not in-use. This includes easy-to-forget items like lights, coffee makers and printers.
2. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater.
3. Switch to energy-efficient lightbulbs such as halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights, and light-emitting diode bulbs, which use anywhere from 25-80% less electricity and last longer than traditional bulbs
4. Use your microwave instead of your electric stove when cooking.
5. Run bathroom or kitchen ventilation fans only as long as necessary.
Heavier appliances such as heaters and air conditioners do need specific attention. Here are a few things you can do.
1. Weatherize your home by sealing air leaks around doors and windows and checking for any leaky faucets.
2. Use small lamps, fans and space heaters rather than overhead lights or running central heat and cooling.
3. Clean or replace filters regularly. Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary.
4. Leave your water heater on for only 10-15 minutes. The water will remain hot for as much as 6 hours
We hope these tips help you to stay energy-conscious while you work from home and well into the future. Habits are formed when we stay consistent in new practices. Ensure to pick a tip or two and be consistent at it. Together, we can change the way our world is powered and conserve energy while we stay safe in these times.
