7 Important Tips to Using Less On Electricity At Home
Whether for reasons of budget or because you want to save the planet (or both), we will present in the following article some recommendations that will help you using less on electricity.
And is that with small habits and changes in day to day, the low in the bill can be considerable.
Tips for using less on electricity
If your electricity bill has arrived, and consumption has been higher than the previous month (so you should pay more), pay attention to the following tips.
No need to be in the dark or sleep earlier to using less on electricity. You just have to do some things and readjust others, such as:
1. Hire an expert
This advice may seem strange because it involves spending additional money, however, it is a long-term investment.
A professional can indicate if there are air leaks in the windows, if the heaters or electrical appliances work properly or if some device is spending more energy than usual.
2. Buy efficient appliances
In the event that the technician tells you that some appliance in the kitchen or laundry is spending more electricity than normal, it may be a good time to invest in a more modern appliance and, therefore, that allows you to save on electricity.
Pay attention to the label of energy efficiency of household appliances. The energy efficiency scale includes categories ranging from A +++ to G, the first being the most efficient.
This type of information is available in refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and even in light bulbs.
And although energy efficient appliances are more expensive, you will see an interesting reduction in your electricity bill.
3. Isolate your doors and your windows
You can do it yourself or hire someone, but it is important that your doors and windows are well insulated to avoid losing heat or cold (or entering from outside depending on the time of year).
A silicone gun, some putty and some strips padded with glue may suffice. However, it is not the only method to isolate your doors and windows, but it is the most practical.
Also, you can place curtains or carpets that help to thermally insulate your home. For example, in winter, the curtain will serve to avoid “cold spots”; in the same way, that, in summer, it will prevent the heat from entering from outside.
Open windows and blinds when the sun goes down to ventilate the house.
4. Use the devices you have at home well
The vast majority of monthly electricity expenditure comes from household appliances. Therefore, you can use less on electricity by using them more efficiently.
For example, you should defrost the refrigerator (the one that consumes most energy) when the ice layer exceeds 5 mm and make sure that the door closes well.
In the case of the washing machine, we recommend that you use short programs with cold water or that you wait until you have enough clothes to fill it. The same with the dishwasher.
On the other hand, if you iron your clothes, do not put this appliance on the maximum and unplug it as soon as you finish using it.
As for the oven, when you turn it on, take advantage of preparing several meals at the same time.
Another issue, very important, is the “standby” of televisions, audio equipment or computers. Believe it or not, they continue to consume electricity. So when you do not use them, press the well-known “red button”. You do not have to unplug them.
5. Buy energy-saving light bulbs
If you want to use less on electricity, as the bulbs you have at home run out, we recommend that you buy low-energy or LED bulbs.
They are a little more expensive, but they are amortized enough since they have a lifespan of more than 10,000 hours. Also, they do not emit heat.
Beyond the type of bulb you have at home, it would be good to turn off those you are not using.
Whenever you leave a room and it is empty, turn off the light. Open windows and curtains to maximize sunlight.
6. Shower Fast
It is very pleasant to stay under hot water after a tiring day at work since it relaxes a lot and relaxes the muscles.
However, this habit can be one of the causes of a bulky electricity bill. The shower should not be longer than 7 minutes.
Also, it is essential to lower the temperature of the water heater. Although the default means is 60 ° C, it is recommended that you adjust it to 40 ° C. Regulate with cold water and you will see how you save money on electricity.
7. No conditions the house “for anyone”
It is true that we all like that when we get home, the temperature is ideal, whether in winter or summer.
The problem is that we usually spend many hours away from home, and in that time the heaters or air conditioners spend energy. These do not recognize if there are people or not, so they turn on when they notice changes in temperature.
Maybe you want to turn on this equipment as soon as you get home. In terms of this, today there are applications from the mobile to control the appliances. For example, there are applications that cause these to turn on 20 minutes before you arrive.
Also, there are appliances that can be programmed to work from a certain time.
