5 Simple Steps for Making Your Home Energy Efficient

Creating an energy-efficient home is the first step in saving money on the power bill. By making a few mindful adjustments and investing in energy-saving upgrades, you can enjoy a comfortable living space while keeping your energy consumption in check. Here are five simple steps to get started on your journey toward a more energy-efficient home:

1. Adjust Your Laundry Habits

One of the less commonly talked about contributors on the power bill is your washer and dryer. These large appliances are responsible for a significant portion of energy consumption. A good way of making your home more energy efficient is to adjust your laundry habits. According to Energy Star, nearly 90% of energy consumption from laundry is attributed to heating the water. Instead of using hot water for each load, save it for clothes that have tough stains and get into the habit of using cold or warm water for regular loads. For the dryer, a full lint trap inhibits airflow, causing you to have to dry your clothes for longer. Clear the lint trap before each load of laundry for more efficient drying.

2. Change Your Refrigerator Settings

This tip may seem a bit unorthodox, but another huge contributor to your energy consumption is your refrigerator. To cut down energy use from your refrigerator, raise the temperature in both the fridge and freezer. It’s a common misconception that each has to be on the lowest temperature settings for food to maintain freshness. This is untrue. The temperatures can be raised slightly to save energy and shave a few dollars off your power bill. However, you should never set the refrigerator temperature above 40°F or the freezer above 0°F, as this is the food safety danger zone according to the FDA. 

3. Be Mindful of Your AC

Perhaps one of the most common tips about saving energy is to be mindful of your air conditioner settings and your HVAC system in general. Keep up with regular maintenance, and change out air filters according to manufacturer recommendations. Before you crank your thermostat up or down, make sure you’re using ceiling fans if it’s hot and blankets if it’s cold. Also, turn your thermostat off when you’re not home to cut down on unnecessary energy use. It may even be helpful to invest in a smart or programmable thermostat so you don’t have to keep up with these settings manually. 

4. Load Your Dishwasher More Efficiently

You’ve probably noticed that large appliances are responsible for a sizable amount of your home’s energy use. Your dishwasher is no exception. To make your dishwasher more energy-friendly, scrape off excess food remnants, and fill it more efficiently to reduce the number of cycles you have to run. Since you’ve already learned that appliances that use heat use more energy, air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s heated drying feature to conserve energy and lower your power bill.

5. Switch to Energy Efficient Devices

A great way to cut down on energy consumption is to switch to energy-efficient appliances and devices. Many Energy Star appliances can help you cut your energy use down by 10-20%. For example, you can upgrade refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry units, freezers and other large appliances to more energy-efficient ones. You may even want to consider using LED light bulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. Remember to replace both indoor and outdoor light bulbs for optimum energy efficiency. Not only do energy-efficient devices and light bulbs save on energy, but they often have longer lifespans and improved performance. It’s a win-win!

These are just a few strategies for creating a more energy-efficient home. Pair these energy-saving tips with prepaid power from Pronto Power and watch your energy efficiency increase and your electric bill shrink. Contact us today to learn more about how prepaid electricity can help you save money on the power bill!