Have you noticed that your electricity bill has been going up in recent years with no sign of stopping? Did you know that you can take small steps to lower your monthly bill and improve the energy efficiency in your living and work space?[1] Conserving energy is one small way you can help not only your wallet, but the environment as well. We have put together some simple and effective changes you can make to conserve electricity every day.
Conserving energy at home:
- Prioritize using natural light, especially during the day.
- Turn off lights and electronics when not in use. Make it a habit to turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Use energy-efficient LED lightbulbs.
- Ensure your space is properly insulated
- Invest in a smart thermostat – Not only can this assist with energy efficiency and reducing costs, it also adds convenience by saving your preferences and adjusting to your schedule[2].
- Turn down the thermostat
- The best times to do this are when you are asleep and when no one is home
- Wash clothes with cold/cool water
- Use less hot water
- Showering and washing your floors with cooler water can reduce hot water usage
- Unplug electronics
- Electronics still draw power when in standby mode, like “energy vampires”
- Consider smart power strips that automatically cut off power to devices when not in use
- Reduce appliance use
- Replace air filters to ensure your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system is running as efficiently as possible[3]
Conserving energy at home has many personal benefits. It helps your budget by reducing utilities cost, improves the performance of your electrical devices by minimizing over usage, and is good for the environment by reducing emissions. You can extend these benefits beyond just yourself by also doing your part to conserve energy at work!
Conserving energy at work:
- Switch to LED bulbs company wide to help save up to 80% on lighting
- Make use of natural light sources – windows and skylights
- Daylight blinds can help with mid-day sun glare
- Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms
- Install monitoring sensors – these automate light controls and can help cut down lighting costs by up to 30%
- Reduce heating temperatures
- A difference of just 1 degree Celsius can reduce fuel consumption by around 8%
- Repair and maintain sources of drafts. This will minimize the over usage of HVAC systems.
- When possible, arrange desks and work spaces within range of radiators and air-conditioning units.
- Remember to turn off electronics and appliances when not in use.
- Be cautious of using “stand-by” mode as it still requires up to 50% of the energy needed to run the computer normally – shutting down devices and unplugging them is the most effective way to save energy when devices are not in use.
- Consider upgrading outdated equipment. While energy-efficient devices can cost more upfront, they often save money over time[4]
Making it your own:
There are many ways to conserve energy. You might find that certain options on this list work better for your lifestyle than others. That’s great! You might even feel inspired to come up with ideas of your own for conserving energy. It’s important to make changes in a way that is manageable and sustainable for you. Remember that even small changes that can have a big impact. Incorporating just a handful of these tips can be great for your savings, your devices, and our planet.
We hope some of these tips make their way into your daily routine!
[1] Why Conserve Energy: 8 Benefits of Energy Efficiency | EnergySage
[2] 13 Benefits of Installing a Smart Thermostat in Your Home
[3] How to Decrease Power Bill: Effective Tips & Strategies | by Alex Choong | Medium