15 “Energy-Saving” Home Habits That Are Costing You More Money
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Here’s a new look at some of the so-called ‘energy saving’ habits that may not be as cost effective as you might think. if you are like me, you’d want to save money on bills and be more environmentally friendly, but some strategies that seem smart can actually work against you, adding up expenses in a way that’s not so obvious.
If you flip switches, dial down thermostats, and unplug all your appliances religiously, you aren’t alone. But how efficient is that? In this quest for energy efficiency, we’ll take a look at some of these well meaning practices that may be quietly working against your budget and what you can do instead.
Using Window AC Units in Place of Central Air
A window unit is efficient for small spaces. However, if you’re cooling a whole house, multiple window units can actually cost more than a centralized system. On one hand, window units are best used for single rooms, while central air systems are better for cooling larger areas. If you’re trying to save money, don’t double up on units, instead, just cool the areas you need.
Extra Insulation in Unused Spaces
It is great insulating your home, but sometimes over insulating unused spaces, such as basements or attics can be overkill. The walls, roof, and occupied areas of the house are the best places for insulation to work. An over-insulation of areas which hardly lose heat or gain heat can cost you more than it is worth.
Leave Ceiling Fans On in Empty Rooms
A lot of people believe that ceiling fans help cool down a room, and so some people leave them on in empty rooms in the hopes that it will reduce the need for air conditioning. In truth, ceiling fans don’t lower room temperatures; they just blow air. You only get to be cooled by this breeze when you’re in the room to feel it. What if nobody’s around, then that fan is just burning electricity. The best way to avoid wasting energy is to switch it off when you leave.
Energy Efficient Light Bulbs in Every Socket
Energy efficient bulbs are great, but they’re not the best for every situation. If the light is only used briefly in spaces like closets or the pantry, the upfront cost of pricey LED bulbs won’t save you much. If you’re planning to use these bulbs for a long time, then these bulbs are best for you.
Turning Thermostat Down Too Low
Raising or lowering the thermostat a couple of degrees in winter or summer seems like a smart move, but going to extremes can actually send your energy bills up. These extreme temperatures will make your HVAC system work harder. A better way is to keep your thermostat in a moderately suitable area and dress according to the season.
Large Appliances and Peak Hours
Appliance efficiency is great, but some folks think that timing is not as important as appliance efficiency. Running large appliances during peak hours can really hit your wallet if your utility company charges extra for peak usage. If you can, run your laundry, dishwashers, and ovens at off peak hours, when rates are less, as they tend to use more energy.
Keeping Chargers Plugged In
I’m sure you have probably left your phone and laptop chargers plugged in 24/7, thinking they’re as safe as long as they’re not connected to a device. Well, they consume barely any energy on standby, but over time, that ‘vampire power’ adds up. Unplug chargers when not in use, and they’ll also last longer without constant exposure to electricity.
Preheating the Oven Too Early
Some recipes call for preheating, but in that case it’s usually unnecessary and almost always a waste of energy. If you’re not baking something super delicate to temperature changes, like pastries, don’t preheat until you’re about to stick the food in. A small timing adjustment can save you from unnecessary energy use and keep your bills low.
Running Your Pool Pump All Day
It seems like if you have a pool, you’d just want to keep the water circulating 24 hours a day to keep it clean and not need to use as much chemicals. But pool pumps are a big energy consumer. The amount of time your pool needs circulation depends on the size of your pool and how much you use it, but most pools only need eight hours. If you don’t want the pump to run all day, you can consider having it run during off peak hours for a specific time period instead.
Overheating Water Heater Temperatures
Many people set their water heater higher than necessary to avoid the “cold water surprise,” but that can be more energy than it needs to be. According to the National Institutes of Health, for most households, the recommended temperatures is about 120°F, which should heat most things within a few minutes and is low enough that one doesn’t need to fear scalding their family. If you lower it slightly, you may cut down on your bill without sacrificing comfort.
Keep Freezers and Refrigerators Nearly Empty
A fridge or freezer can be more expensive to keep cool if it’s empty. According to BELCO, if there’s not enough food inside, these appliances need to work harder to stay cool, and that means using more energy. When you have a stocked fridge and freezer, that’s a “thermal mass” that keeps them cold with less energy. If you don’t have food or other stuff to put in, fill the empty spaces with containers of water.
Only Washing Clothes in Cold Water
Often, washing clothes in cold water will save energy, but not every load can. Warm or hot water is needed to remove stubborn stains, oils, and a certain kinds of bacteria. If you skip warm water, eventually you will use more washes or extra cycles with added detergent, meaning that you’d use more resources.
Saving Energy by Relying Solely on Power Strips
Owing a power strip with off switches or ‘smart’ capabilities is often promoted as a home energy efficiency tip. But not all things plugged into a power strip are huge power drain. While they may reduce standby power usage, unplugging devices such as chargers and entertainment systems right from the wall is often simpler to do than finding a combo or power strip to plug them into if you won’t be using the device every day.
Too Low Refrigerator Temperature Setting
You might think a colder fridge means fresher food, but keeping your fridge too cold can cost you money. It’s wasting electricity to over chill if the temperature dips below the ideal range (35-38°F). Food that freezes in certain areas can spoil quicker than you’d think. By keeping your fridge at the right setting, you’ll be saving energy and keeping your food quality good.
Using Dishwasher Eco Cycles
Eco cycles on dishwashers sound great but aren’t always the money saviour they appear to be. They may use very little water but run longer. Using less electricity might mean shorter, standard cycles. The manual for your dishwasher will tell you what balance works best for your dishes and your wallet.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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