No matter who you are, chances are that your budget is one of your top priorities these days. While we all run around pinching pennies, there are plenty of often-overlooked tactics we could be implementing to directly affect our bottom line, particularly when it comes to saving energy.
Saving energy saves money
It should go without saying, but it really is as simple as that. By reducing the amount of energy you consume in your day to day life, you’ll be able to reduce the amount of money flowing out of your pockets.
Some of these tips require some upfront investment, but as with most things in this world, you pay for what you get. If you’re not ready to commit some of your finances to savings down the road, try starting with a few simple suggestions first.
Browse the list below for some ideas, and if you’re interested in learning more, check out pages like www.energyratesnewyork.com. Once you see how even simple solutions can add up, you’ll probably be more inclined to explore some more expensive options.
1. Use power strips
We love our techie devices, and the more we buy, use and have to charge, the more energy we consume. What most people don’t realize is that just leaving your device’s charger plugged in can consume energy. There are two easy ways to avoid that unnecessary power drain: 1) Unplug everything, or 2) Use a power strip.
Power strips are great because they create their own closed circuit. Plug all your electronics into the wall through a power strip, and when you’re not using them just flip the switch. You won’t have to unplug them all, and you won’t be wasting energy.
2. Replace all your incandescent bulbs
Remember when the first halogen light bulbs were introduced in the 90s, touting long life and less energy use? That was nearly 20 years ago! If you’re still using incandescent bulbs it’s time to move on. Compact fluorescents (CFLs) use a fraction of the energy to produce light, and they can last up to six times as long as a traditional bulb. You might even be able to get some CFLs for free. Contact your utility, and you might be pleasantly surprised.
3. Don’t run the dishwasher when it’s half empty
This goes for the washing machine too. Major appliances use the same amount of energy whether they are filled to the brim or only have a fraction of their capacity accounted for. Unless you absolutely have to run your dishwasher when it’s only one third of the way full, don’t do it! You’ll be spending more money on water and electricity than you need to when you could easily wait a few meals until you’ve got enough dishes to fill up the rack.
4. Buy a smart thermostat
If you run your heating and cooling system all day, regardless of whether you’re home or not, you could rake in all sorts of savings with a smart thermostat. There are two major competitors on the market right now, the Ecobee and the Nest. The jury is still out on which product is better, but one thing is for certain, they’ll both help you reign in your energy costs.
The one downside to smart thermostats is that they’re pretty expensive right now. If you’re not able to make a sizeable investment, try a programmable thermostat and actually take the time to set it up. You’ll be surprised by how much you can save.
5. Invest in a tankless water heater
While it’s not always true that you have to spend money to save money, that’s definitely the case with tankless water heaters. In spite of that, there are all sorts of upsides to investing in this technology. Going tankless means you’ll always have hot water – instantly! It also means your water heater won’t be using energy while the water coming out of the tap is still cold. If you’ve got the money, a tankless water heater is the way to go.
Hopefully you’ve found some of these tips useful. Remember, there are countless ways to conserve energy to reduce your consumption. The more you conserve, the more you save!