How to Simply Save Power Without Huge Renovations

With how hot this summer has been, and how much more you may have been at home, it’s probably reasonable to say that you’ve used more power than you normally would. If that’s the case, you’ve also probably run up quite the electricity bill. It stands to reason that after something like that you’d want to find ways to save power. Here are some simple solutions that don’t require huge renovations.

Unplug Appliances Not in Use

You might think that if you aren’t using electronics or appliances they aren’t pulling any power. As it turns out, that isn’t actually correct. Even something like your phone charger pulls power from the outlet if it’s plugged in regardless of whether or not you’re using it. As much as 10% of your electricity bill may come from these phantom energy loads. Unplugging appliances when you aren’t using them is one of the appliance-related things you can do to save energy.

Switch to LED Bulbs

If you aren’t using LED bulbs in your home, you might want to consider changing out your existing ones for them. LED light bulbs are more energy efficient alternatives to incandescent bulbs. When they first came out, they were quite expensive, as much as $50–$100 per bulb. While still typically more expensive than incandescent CFL bulbs, they are far more affordable now, which is great if you’re replacing all the bulbs in your house. Because they are more energy efficient, it won’t cost as much to use them as other types of bulbs. These savings can more than make up for the cost of the bulbs.

Turn the Lights Off

It may sound silly, but one of the easiest things you can do to save both power and money is to turn off your lights when you aren’t using them. You don’t want to leave lights on every time you’re gone at work or if you leave for a vacation just because you aren’t in the habit of turning them off. How much you save depends on the type of bulb you’re using, how many lights are left on, and how long they’re left on for. It has the potential to add up though, so being vigilant about turning lights off is a good idea.

While some renovations can help you save power, they also come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there are simple ways you can save power without doing full blown renovations. Start by unplugging electronics you aren’t using. Switch to LED bulbs if you haven’t already. Don’t forget to turn the lights off when you don’t need them. These simple tips are a great way to get you started saving both power and money.

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