Here are ten methods you can begin conserving energy:

 

1. Modify your everyday behaviours

2. Change out your light sources

3. Use the intelligent power supply

4. Put in place a programmable thermostat

5. Use energy-efficient appliances

6. Reduce heating water costs

7. Install windows with energy efficiency

8. Upgrade your HVAC system

9. Weatherize your dwelling

10. Insulate your dwelling

 

Each of these options for energy conservation will be examined in detail below.

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1. Modify your daily behaviours

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You do not necessarily need to purchase energy-efficient products to reduce your household's energy consumption. Energy conservation can be accomplished by simply turning off lamps and appliances when they are not in use. You can also reduce your energy consumption by conducting manual household tasks, such as air-drying your clothes instead of using a dryer and hand-washing your dishes.

Turning down the heat on your thermostat in the winter and using your air conditioner less in the summer are the changes in behaviour with the most significant potential to reduce utility costs. These reductions in the intensity and frequency of heating and cooling offer the most significant savings because heating and cooling expenses account for nearly half of a typical home's utility expenditures.

Tools are available for determining where most of your home's electricity is going and which appliances use the most daily.

 

2. Change your light lights.

Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume too much electricity and must be replaced more frequently than their energy-efficient counterparts. Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs consume 25 to 80 percent less electricity and last three to twenty-five times longer than conventional bulbs.

Although energy-efficient light bulbs are initially more expensive, their lower energy consumption and extended lifespans result in lower long-term costs.

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 3. Use intelligent power cords

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"Phantom loads," or the electricity used by electronics in standby mode or when they are switched off, are a significant source of energy waste. It is estimated that 75% of the energy used to operate home electronics is consumed even when turned off, costing up to $200 annually. Intelligent or advanced power strips eradicate phantom loads by turning off the power to electronics when not in use. Smart power strips can be programmed to turn off at a predetermined time, after a predetermined period of inactivity, via remote switches, or based on the status of a "master" device.

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4.Installing a programmable or intelligent thermostat

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A programmable thermostat can be programmed to turn off or reduce heating and cooling while asleep or abroad. Installing a programmable thermostat eliminates energy waste from heating and cooling without requiring an HVAC system upgrade.

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A programmable thermostat can save you an average of $180 per year. Various models of programmable thermostats can be set to accommodate your weekly schedule. Indicators for when to replace air filters or HVAC system problems can be added to programmable thermostats to improve the efficiency of your heating and conditioning system.

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5. Invest in energy-saving appliances

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Appliances account for approximately 13% of average residential energy consumption. The initial purchase price and the annual operating cost should be considered when purchasing a home appliance. Although energy-efficient appliances may have a higher initial cost, their operating costs are frequently 9 to 25% less than those of conventional models.

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When purchasing an energy-efficient appliance, you should search for the ENERGY STAR label, which is a federal guarantee that the appliance will consume less energy while in use and standby mode than standard models. Energy savings vary depending on the appliance. ENERGY STAR-certified laundry washers, for instance, consume 25% less energy and 45% less water than conventional models, whereas ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerators consume only 9% less energy.

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6. lower your water heating costs

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Water heating accounts for a significant portion of your total energy consumption. Other than purchasing an energy-efficient water heater, there are three ways to reduce your water heating costs: using less hot water, lowering your water heater's thermostat, and insulating the first six feet of your hot and cold-water pipelines.

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If you are contemplating replacing your water heater with a more energy-efficient model, you must consider the type of water heater that meets your requirements and the fuel it will use. For instance, tankless water heaters are energy efficient but unsuitable for large families because they cannot accommodate simultaneous hot water uses. The energy efficiency of efficient water heaters can range from 8% to 300% greater than that of conventional storage water heaters.

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7. Install windows that conserve energy

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Windows are a significant source of energy waste, contributing between 10 and 25 percent to your total heating expenditure. Replace single-pane windows with double-pane products to prevent heat loss through windows.

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Gas-filled windows with "low-e" coatings can considerably reduce heating costs for homes in colder regions. In addition, interior or exterior storm windows can reduce heat loss by 10 to 20%. Consider storm windows, particularly if your region experiences frequent extreme weather.

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In warmer climates, window heat accumulation may pose a problem. In addition to reducing heat loss, Low-E coatings on windows can reduce heat gain by reflecting more light and decreasing the amount of thermal energy entering your residence. Depending on where you reside, ENERGY STAR windows can reduce your annual utility costs by $20 to $95. Window blinds, shutters, screens, and awnings can add an additional layer of insulation between your home and the outdoors, resulting in even more significant energy savings.

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8. Upgrade your HVAC system

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An HVAC system consists of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Heating alone accounts for over forty percent of a home's energy consumption. ENERGY STAR gas furnaces have distinct specifications in the northern and southern halves of the United States due to the significantly colder temperatures experienced in Northern regions.

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Upgrading to ENERGY STAR certification for the "Southern United States" can save you up to 12% on your heating bill, or an average of $36 per year. In the northern half of the United States, ENERGY STAR furnaces are labelled with the standard ENERGY STAR logo and are up to 16% more energy efficient than baseline models. This equates to an annual savings of $94 on your heating expense in the Northern United States.

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Comparatively, air conditioning does not significantly contribute to energy expenses; it accounts for only six percent of your home's total energy consumption. Air conditioners with the ENERGY STAR label are eight percent more efficient than conventional models. Considering that air conditioning systems are typically integrated with heating systems, you should purchase a new furnace and air conditioner to ensure it operates at its optimum energy efficiency rating.

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Upgrades to the ventilation component of an HVAC system can also increase energy efficiency. A ventilation system consists of a network of ducts that distribute hot and chilly air throughout a residence. If these conduits are not adequately sealed or insulated, the resulting energy loss can increase your annual heating and cooling costs by hundreds of dollars. Insulation and ventilation system maintenance can reduce heating and conditioning costs by as much as 20%.

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9. Winterize your dwelling

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Sealing air leaks around your home is an excellent way to reduce heating and cooling costs. Vents, windows, and doors are the most common sources of air leakage in your residence. To prevent these leaks, ensure no fissures or gaps between the wall and the vent, window, or doorframe.

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Caulk can seal air leakage between stationary objects, such as the wall and window frame. Apply weather stripping to gaps between movable objects, such as operable windows and doors. The return on investment for weather stripping and caulking is typically less than one year. Air can also escape through holes in the wall, floor, and ceiling caused by plumbing, ductwork, or electrical wiring.

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Typically, air leaks from the interior of your home into the attic through small apertures. Hot air will rise and evacuate through small openings, whether through ducts, light fixtures, or the attic hatch. As the natural heat flows from warmer to cooler areas, these tiny openings in an inadequately insulated attic can increase your heating costs. To maximize the savings from weatherization, consider insulating your home completely.

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 10. Insulate your dwelling

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Insulation is crucial in reducing utility bills by retaining heat in the winter and preventing heat from entering the home in the summer. Depending on where you reside, the recommended level of heat resistance, or "R-value," for your insulation will vary. The recommended R-value is significantly lower in warmer climates than in frigid regions such as the Northeast.

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Depending on the size of your home, you should implement different insulation levels. Insulating your attic, walls, floors, basement, and substructure are the five primary areas you should consider. Use the Home Energy Saver tool for recommendations based on your home's specifications, or visit the Department of Energy's ins.