- Turn off the lights. This is the simplest, most common way to save electricity, and it really works. Start paying attention to how many lights are on in your house at a given time. Be mindful of how many lights you really need to be using at once. When you leave a room, make a habit of turning off the lights, every single time.
- Embrace natural light. Open up your curtains and let the sun shine in! Using natural light whenever possible instead of relying on artificial light can greatly reduce the amount of electricity you use during the day.
- Change your bulbs. Replacing regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED bulbs is a big energy saver. Incandescent bulbs release 98% of their consumed energy through heat, while CFL and LED bulbs are much more energy efficient and last several times longer.
- Unplug any appliances that aren’t in use. Did you know that appliances that are plugged in keep using energy, even when they’re switched off? Even an appliance as small as a coffee pot continues slowly sapping energy every moment it stays plugged in, long after the last cup of coffee has been consumed.
- Use the air conditioner less frequently. Sometimes it’s unavoidable to use the air conditioner, but there’s no reason to have it on from the beginning of spring to the end of the summer without ever turning it off. Find other ways to cool yourself down when possible.
- Use less hot water. Heating water takes a lot of energy. It’s not necessary to take cold showers, but being mindful of how much hot water you use, and how the water is being heated, can save a lot of electricity and money.
Extra Tips: Replace old appliances with energy-saving models. When older appliances were manufactured, companies weren’t as concerned with saving electricity. Newer models are designed to conserve energy, reducing your household costs and lowering your carbon footprint.Look for “Energy Star” ratings on new appliances. The more stars it have the more it save energy.