Saving energy doesn’t have to cost a bomb. In fact, making small changes to save energy reduces your energy consumption, and therefore reduces how much you spend on energy. So, putting some of these easy energy saving tips into practice means you reduce your carbon footprint and do a little bit to save the planet while saving money. Why wouldn’t you? Saving money is never a bad thing!
Tip 1: Switch to a Green Energy Supplier
More and more energy companies are using green, renewable, or sustainable energy for at least a portion of their supply. And lots of them offer incentives and deals to switch to their green tariffs. Therefore, this is a great place to start if you want to save money, do your bit to save the planet, and reduce your carbon footprint. You could run your home on green energy, without any fossil fuels, and without having to install solar panels, just by making a quick phone call or filling out a form online.
Tip 2: Get Energy Efficient Lighting
From RealSelfSuficiency.com
| Feature | Light Emitting Diode (LED) Light Bulbs |
Incandescent Light Bulbs  |
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan (per bulb) | 50,000 hours | 1,200 hours | 8,000 |
| Wattage | 6-8 watts | 60 watts | 13-15 watts |
| Kilowatts used per year (based on an average of 30 bulbs of 60-watt equivalent) | 329 KW per year | 3285 KW per year | 767 KW per year |
| Annual operating cost (based on 30 bulbs each equivalent to 60 watt incandescent) | $32.85 | $328.59 | $76.65 |
| CO2 Emissions based on 30 bulbs each equivalent to 60-watt incandescent | 451 pounds per year | 4,500 pounds per year | 1,051 pounds per year |
| Heat emissions (per hour) | 3.4 btu’s per hour | 85 btu’s per hour | 30 btu’s per hour |
Most people just don’t think about their light bulbs. They take their lighting for granted and, when they need a new bulb, lots of people just buy whatever’s cheapest. The trouble with that approach is it’s false economy. Cheap incandescent bulbs waste a huge amount of energy – it’s basically like you’re burning your money. Look at the yearly running costs of the three bulb types in the table above – you make a massive saving by choosing an energy efficient variety, not to mention the 10 x reduction in CO2 emissions.
Tip 3: Put a Sweater On
In the cooler months, try reducing your home’s temperature by just one or two degrees and, if you’re a bit chilly, wrap up warm. Put a sweater on. Or use it as an excuse to get into your cozy PJs and dressing gown, or snuggle up with your sweetie under a blanket on the sofa while you watch your favorite movie. Or go all-out and buy yourself and the rest of your household funky, fleecy onesies.
Tip 4: Minimize Drafts
Unless your home is super new or has undergone a major renovation recently, it’ll most definitely have drafty areas – around door frames and window frames, gaps in floor boards, no attic insulation, or single-paned windows. So, to combat cold air creeping in or heat escaping, without spending a tonne, hang thick, lined curtains and apply secondary glazing film to single-glazed panes. Lay shaggy rugs with a deep pile over exposed, drafty floorboards. Putting draft excluders against closed doors stops air passing underneath. Make sure you shut doors on rooms that aren’t in use so that you’re not warming empty space.
Tip 5: Get Yourself a Motion Sensitive Lighting System
Not just for Morgan Freeman, aka God, in Bruce Almighty, a clapper, or a motion-activated light system automatically saves you money and reduces your energy consumption. Automated systems don’t even require you to clap. Instead, they turn on whenever they detect motion and turn back off when they fail to pick up any movement. Yes, installing one of these systems is more costly than switching out light bulbs, but it does get you one step closer to having a smart home and continues to reduce your energy costs.
Tip 6: Go Solar
We’re not suggesting you rush out and invest in your own field of solar panels – although if you can manage to install a few solar panels on your property, that’s fabulous – as you may be able to generate enough electricity to power your whole home and get off the grid altogether. Or perhaps you’ll make enough electricity to sell excess back to an energy supplier. But if you can’t, there’s still a way to make the most of this free, sustainable source of electricity: Get yourself a solar charger. They’re portable and convenient and, if you use them to charge your portable devices on a daily basis, rather than just in an emergency, you’ll essentially always charge your small devices free of charge.
Tip 7: Invest in a Smart Heating System
Effective smart heating systems, like Nest, are readily affordable and can result in a dramatic reduction in energy consumption. If the model you choose has a learning function, it spends a few days learning your schedule and preferences so it can automatically change temperature. So the thermostat will drop to a minimum when you aren’t home, and will warm the house in time for your arrival. Usage reports help you identify when you spend the most and work out how and when you can cut down. Some also offer remote operation via an app.
Tip 8: Keep Your Freezer and Refrigerator Chock-Full
Surely keeping your fridge and freezer full means that they have to work harder? Nope. If you fill up the cavities, yes the appliances have to initially work harder to cool or freeze your perishables, but once they reach the desired temperature, these goods help to maintain the internal temperature of the cavities, so the appliances aren’t constantly working hard just to cool air. Also – don’t open the doors unless you have to – and never leave them open – even just while you add cream to your cup of Joe.
Tip 9: Rearrange Furniture
Whether you have central heating vents or radiators, make sure they aren’t blocked by heavy furniture like bookcases and sofas, or soft furnishing like curtains and draperies. Rearranging your furniture to leave heating outlets clear ensures maximum energy efficiency, allowing warm air to circulate easily, so your system doesn’t have to work so hard to bring your home to the desired temperature. If you have an open fire, avoid putting chairs and sofas directly in front of it. Yes, snuggling on the sofa in front of a roaring fire is a wonderful experience, but the rest of the room receives less heat.
Tip 10: Make Use of Soft Furnishings
Hard floors, such as wood, slate, or tile are not pleasant on your feet in cold weather, and they reduce the energy efficiency of your home. So, cover them up. Where possible, lay thick rugs to add a layer of insulation to minimize heat loss. Your feet will thank you, too. Similarly, exposed exterior walls that lack adequate insulation result in increased heat loss and energy consumption. Use quilts, tapestries, and other decorative fabric wall hangings to insulate your home. It also gives you the opportunity to try out a new decorative style. You can even make your own quilts, tapestries, and rugs, saving even more money while exploring your creativity.