Growing up, your parents may have told you to turn off the lights or the TV when you’re not in the room to save electricity. Their main reason can be to save cash on your electric bills, as leaving lights and appliances turned on and unattended causes the household to spend money on things you’re not using. No one appreciates wasteful consumption.
But now that the world is in a climate crisis, saving electricity can mean so much more than keeping your utility bills in check; you’re also protecting the environment and saving lives on a greater scale. According to researcher David Abel, “By saving electricity, we can also save lives. There is a range of health benefits. It’s a bonus. We find there are extra health reasons to turn off a light.” (Quote from https://www.consumeraffairs.com)
By becoming energy efficient, you reduce the demand for fossil fuels. In Abel’s study, his team found that increasing energy efficiency by 12% during the summertime can significantly affect people’s health, the environment, and electricity costs, saving roughly $4 billion and almost 500 lives per year. (Statistics from https://www.sciencedaily.com)
Want to contribute to this environmental change and foster a sustainable home? Here are some electricity-saving tips you can start doing:
1. Install LEDs
By replacing your light bulbs with light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs), you’ll be using 75% less energy than if you use traditional incandescent light bulbs. Plus, LEDs last up to 25 times longer. Energy-efficient bulbs may be more expensive at first, but since they last longer, you don’t need to keep buying them, which costs you less in the long run. (Statistics from https://www.energy.gov)
2. Wash and dry in full loads
Your appliances may be marked as energy-efficient, but they can still use up a lot of electricity (though less than regular appliances). For example, ENERGY STAR certified washers consume about 25% less energy than standard washers. When you use these large appliances, they can significantly dent your bill. (Statistics from https://www.energystar.gov)
To help reduce your electricity consumption, you should use large appliances less. Gather all your laundry, including that of other family members or your roommates, and do full loads at once. Instead of doing small batches of laundry throughout the week, you’ll only use the washer and dryer once, conserving more electricity.
3. Turn off electrical items when not in use
When you put electronics like video game consoles, TVs, and computers on standby, they can still consume electricity. These appliances draw energy because their little lights glow while waiting for you to use them. It may appear like it’s not that big of a deal, but if left for a long period, your power usage can accumulate and rack up your bill.
4. Switch to renewable energy
If you can, consider powering your home with renewable energy. A way you can ensure you’re contributing less (or not at all) to fossil fuel pollution is to choose green power. You can do this by installing solar panels on your roof. With solar power, you generate clean electricity and cut your electric bills.
5. Find an eco-friendly home
A great base in living a sustainable life is finding an eco-friendly home. There are many eco-friendly homes; some have rain collection systems, green roofs, and zero-carbon. Another way a home can be ecological is through natural light.
When a home has a lot of glass walls and windows, whether it’s made from regular sheet glass or fire-rated glass, sunlight can come through and warm the space naturally, reducing the need for central heating systems.
Live an Energy-Conscious Lifestyle
Conserving electricity comes with many benefits. Not only will you reduce your utility costs but you will also protect the environment and save lives. You can live sustainably by starting small, like turning the lights off when they’re not in use, then make your way toward greater changes like switching to renewable energy.
Photography by Mary Skrynnikova
