TLDR
As we enter a new year, thousands of people will be looking to make positive changes in their lives. They’ll be searching for ways to improve relationships, how to eat better, and ways to conserve energy.
National Cut Your Energy Costs Day falls on January 10th. Right at the start of the new year, it’s the perfect opportunity to put your eco-friendly resolutions into action.
Let’s reduce energy use and set a sustainable tone for 2021!
Celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
According to a recent Department of Energy report, residential households account for more than 20% of the total energy use in the United States. Additionally, the average household spends around $2,000 per year to power appliances, electronics, lights, and heating and cooling systems.
National Cut Your Energy Costs Day was first established by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance. Since then, both the U.S. and the U.K. have adopted this holiday. As the name implies, this holiday encourages people to find ways to conserve energy in their homes.
This year, the holiday falls on January 10th — that’s just a few days away. However, there’s still plenty of time to cut back on your energy costs and get 2021 off to a sustainable start!
7 Ways to Conserve Energy in Your Home
Cutting back on energy may seem daunting at first, but don’t worry, it’s not. Starting small with just one or a few of these tips will get the ball rolling and make a big difference!
Use the Dishwasher
The dishwasher makes cleaning dirty dishes a breeze. Although it uses heat and water to do the cleaning, a dishwasher actually saves energy. In fact, washing dishes by hand can use up to 27 gallons per load. Conversely, an Energy Star dishwasher uses as little as three gallons.
Switch to LED Bulbs
As one of the most well-known ways to conserve energy, switching to LED lights reduces energy use by 80% when compared to incandescent bulbs. Additionally, these bulbs have the potential to last for decades — significantly outlasting their traditional competition.
Although switching to LED lights may be more expensive at first, lower energy bills and fewer bulb changes pad your wallet in the long run.
Keep Your Oven & Refrigerator Closed
Many of us have stood in front of an open refrigerator looking for food. I know I’m definitely guilty of this, but it’s an energy-sucking habit nonetheless. An open refrigerator requires more energy to keep its temperature regulated.
Similarly, opening the oven door while you’re cooking has the same effect. Letting all of that heat out forces the oven to work harder to cook your food properly.
Unplug Devices That Aren’t Being Used
One of the most talked-about ways to conserve energy is to unplug devices that aren’t being used. These energy vampires continue to sap power even when they’re turned off. Simply unplugging unused devices significantly impacts your energy bill.
To make this even easier, plug several devices into a power strip. When you’re done, turning them all off is as easy as flipping a switch!
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Heating and cooling systems play a big role in household energy usage. A smart thermostat keeps temperatures regulated without using an excess of electricity or natural gas. Many smart thermostats even allow you to see how much energy you’re HVAC systems have been using!
Put Holiday & Decorative Lights on a Timer
The holiday season may be coming to an end, but putting holiday lights on a timer is still one of the easiest ways to conserve energy. A timer ensures that your lights are on when people can enjoy them and turns them off when nobody is around.
A light timer can dramatically cut energy costs, and it saves you time by automating your lights!
Wash Clothes with Cold Water
Today, Energy Star washing machines save huge amounts of water and power per load. That being said, using cold water brings those energy savings to the next level. By eliminating the need to heat water up, you can save even more energy.
It’s worth noting, though, that this works best when absolutely no heat is added to the water. On some machines, the “Cold” setting may still be heated if the water comes out of the tap too cold. On the other hand, the “Tap Cold” setting ensures that no heat is used at all.
Cut Back & Save This Year
This year, celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day by making energy-conscious changes at home. Whether you incorporate several or just one of these tips, you’ll see big shifts in your energy use.
Making these small changes now will set the tone for a greener and more sustainable 2021.
What are your best energy-saving tips? Leave a comment and let us know!
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