13 Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

What if we told you that you can protect the environment and save money on your next hydro bill? It’s a win-win!

With these easy tips, you can save energy at home and save up some extra money for your next adventure.

Here’s how to save energy at home

1. Turn off lights when you’re not using them

This is one of the easiest ways you can reduce your hydro bill. Leaving the room? Shut the light off behind you. If you’re not using a room, keep it dark and only turn on your lights when you need them.

2. Utilize natural light in your home

Be strategic about where you place furniture in the areas of your home that have plenty of natural light. If you can, keep your desk near a window–you won’t need to keep a light on during the day!

3. Use energy efficient light bulbs

Incandescent bulbs use up a lot of energy. LED or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are a much better alternative as they use less energy and will still brighten your space.

4. Use smaller lighting devices

Using energy efficient light bulbs is great but you should also reduce your use of ceiling lights and large lamps. Instead of larger fixtures, use table lamps and other smaller fixtures that use less energy. Even if you can reduce your use of larger fixtures for a chunk of the day, your energy bill will thank you.

5. Reduce your water usage

There are plenty of things you can do to reduce your water usage:

• Take shorter showers–even a few minutes less per day will save you a lot of money in the long run.
• The next time you’re brushing your teeth, don’t leave the water running. Only turn it on when you need it.
• Only run full laundry and dishwasher loads. If you’re going to use all that water, you may as well wash as much as you can! Even better–let your dishes air dry if you wash a load by hand.

6. Unplug electronics when you aren’t using them

To avoid phantom power (a.k.a. wasted energy), unplug electronics when you aren’t using them. This could be your toaster, blender, lamp or oil diffuser–you’d be surprised how many electronics you leave plugged in for no reason!

7. Utilize your window coverings

Your curtains or blinds are there for a reason and they can help you save energy (and money)! Keep your curtains shut on hot days to reduce the heat in your home. This means you won’t have to use as much AC or run as many fans to keep your space cool. Once the evening hits, feel free to let a bit more light in.

8. Open the windows at night

Another great way to reduce AC usage is opening your windows at night. That cool air is “au naturel” and will keep your home an ideal temperature for sleeping.

9. Limit your oven usage during the summer

Summer is hot enough already and cooking with your oven will only make it hotter. If you have a microwave or toaster oven, opt for cooking with them instead. They’ll still get the job done while using less heat so your space stays cool.

10. Hang your laundry to dry

Hang-drying your laundry will save you loads of money in the long term. Find a handy drying rack, lay your clothes out and you’ll be good to go!

11. Adjust your thermostat during the day

If your thermostat has the capabilities, pre-program your house temperature so it’ll be hot or cold when you’re around and cooler when you’re out. When you’re not at home, there’s no need to keep your space at the optimal temperature for you.

12. Plug electronics into power strips

Using power strips allows you to turn off the whole strip (and all the electronics) when they’re not in use. It’s a super easy way to save yourself from burning extra energy.

13. Keep your appliances well maintained

If your oven, air ducts and furnace are all dust-free with clean filters, they will work more efficiently and waste less energy. Clean them regularly for optimal performance!

With these 13 tips, you’ll be well on your way to saving energy in your home!

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