Thus far, we’ve been spending a lot of time in our homes in 2021. For some of us, that means our energy consumption has increased, and our energy bills have climbed as a result. What can we do to improve the energy efficiency of our homes?
Use LED Bulbs as Much as Possible
LED bulbs cost more than other alternatives upfront, but it’s 100% worth it for the long-term savings. According to the US Department of Energy, residential LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last roughly 25 times as long. For maximum convenience, you could even make the jump to smart bulbs in key areas of your home. Smart bulbs allow you to take control of your lights from your smartphone or even create a schedule to ensure they’re on when you need them and saving energy otherwise.
Optimize Your Energy Efficiency with a Thermostat
Everyone should have a programmable thermostat in 2021 for the scheduling capabilities alone. You can save as much as 10% per year on your heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day during the winter, and vice versa in the summer. If you’re not up for manually creating a schedule for your thermostat, you could always buy a smart thermostat. Once you’ve installed a modern smart thermostat, the device will learn when your home is typically occupied and make temperature adjustments as such. If you feel the need to override its settings, you can do so right on your phone.
Wash Clothing with Cold Water
Our washers and dryers use quite a lot of energy regularly. Sadly, there isn’t much we can do about dryer energy consumption besides drying our clothes outside when possible and keeping our dryer vent clear. On the other hand, washing your clothes in cold water can make a big difference in your energy consumption. If you wish to see for yourself, we recommend picking up a cold-water-specific detergent designed to thoroughly clean even at low temperatures.
Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home with CK Electric
CK Electric is a veteran-owned and veteran-operated local electrician dedicated to high-quality service and customer satisfaction. For your convenience, we also offer evening and weekend appointments. For a free estimate, call 443.920.3078 or email info@ckelectricllc.com. We look forward to helping make your home a safer, brighter place.