Energy saving not only saves you money, but it also saves the environment by preventing energy waste. These are a few small things you can that will have a big impact when it comes to energy saving.
1. Natural Energy
During warmer weather, close your blinds and window shades where the sun is shining through to help keep your house cooler and your AC running more efficiently. Opening the shades during the winter months inversely helps warm up your home without turning up the heat. The sun also serves as a source of natural light and can reduce the amount of time you need to keep the lights on; lighting takes up a significant portion of energy costs.
2. Maintain Kitchen Appliances
Did you know your refrigerator and freeze run most efficiently when they are full? However, you should be careful not to overfill your fridge since this will prohibit airflow and force the appliance to work harder. Make sure you also keep your refrigerator and freezer at the recommended temperatures to avoid wasting energy on excessive cooling.
When using the oven, don’t open it while you are cooking or baking. The temperature will drop 25°F each time you do, and this makes your oven work harder to maintain the heat. To save even more energy, turn your oven off a few minutes before the cooking time runs out. The oven will maintain its heat and your food will continue cooking without using the extra electricity.
3. LED Light Bulbs
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs and other types of energy-saving bulbs use 25-80% less energy than traditional light bulbs and they last 3-25 times longer. Other energy-saving light bulbs include halogen incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Although these energy-saving light bulbs might be more expensive, their efficiency and longevity of use pay off and you will still save more in the long run.
4. Weatherize Your Home
Weatherizing your home means sealing air leaks around vents, windows, and doors. To seal air leaks around window frames or other stationary items, you can use caulk which is easily found in most stores that sell hardware equipment. Moving objects like doors and windows will require weather stripping. Sealing these cracks and making sure you have proper insulation can save you up to 10% on heating and cooling costs.
5. Turn Off Appliances Not in Use
Large appliances such as a television, computer, printer, or fax machine can use a lot of energy if they are left running all day. Another common habit that causes energy waste is leaving your phone plugged in overnight or leaving lights on when you leave the room. You should charge your phone during the day since it only takes a couple of hours and can be unplugged once it reaches full charge. Additional measures you can take are washing dishes by hand and hang-drying your clothes in the bathroom or on a line outside.
Energy Savings with Wolverine Electrical Contracting
Wolverine Electrical can help you prevent energy waste and unnecessary expenses with proper wiring and electrical maintenance. We are proud to serve homeowners in Niles and Grand Rapids, MI. To learn more energy-saving tips or request a quote for our services, please fill out an online contact form.
