There are all sorts of ways the average person wastes energy in their home. So many, in fact, that we don’t have space to run through them all here. The following are some of the top culprits.
Using Incandescent Bulbs
Old-fashioned bulbs create light using a very different technology from modern LEDs. Instead of passing a current through a diode to create photons, the old method involved superheating a filament and then getting it to emit a source of light.
When incandescent bulbs first came along, they revolutionized the modern world, providing reliable indoor lighting for the first time in history. But they were incredibly wasteful. Incandescent bulbs only transform around 10 percent of the electrical energy running through them into light. The rest escaped as heat, which is why they’re always so hot to the touch.
LEDs are the precise opposite. They transform 90 percent of the energy running through them into light energy. Thus, you can save tremendously on your bill.
Setting The Thermostat Too High
Setting the thermostat too high is a second way people waste enormous amounts of energy, often without even realizing it. They flip the dial to something that feels warm and then forget about it for days – possibly weeks.
The problem with this approach is that raising the dial by just one degree can increase your bills massively. Even small increments require vast increases in energy expenditure.
To avoid this, set the thermostat somewhere between 17 and 19 C and then forget about it. Your home won’t feel cold at these temperatures, and it’ll reduce your overall energy use. Click here to find out more about how hot water systems work.
Failing To Change Your HVAC Filters
Air conditioning units are another massive energy hog in your home. What’s more, their efficiency tends to go down rapidly with clogged filters.
Fortunately, swapping out the old ones for new is easy. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and away you go.
Powering Your Empty Chest Freezer
Chest freezers are useful when you want to store extra frozen food for the holidays or a party. But they’re useless when they’re empty, doing nothing but accumulating ice.
Running a chest freezer can cost a considerable amount of money – more than most people expect. Estimates suggest that it could set you back as much as $14 per month, which is a huge amount for just one appliance.
Running The Dishwasher Half Full
Running your dishwasher half full is another major issue that can cause you to waste energy in your home. The average cycle requires 1,800 watts of electricity to run – the same energy expenditure of two Olympic cyclists riding all-out. Running it daily costs around $66 per year, so you want to avoid leaving it half-full. Remember, your dishwasher can’t selectively wash items using less water or heating. It just follows its regular cycle.
Leaving The Lights On
Finally, leaving the lights on is something we all do from time to time. Make it a habit to turn them off whenever you leave a room.