Energy Saving Habits to Develop
Energy Saving Habits to Develop
We’re often inefficient in our electricity consumption and may see saving energy as an expensive and time-consuming strategy. We could be wasting energy unintentionally and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions [2]. Energy-saving should be a lifestyle, everyone should adjust to the habit of switching off appliances, light bulbs, and fans when not in use. When we practice saving energy, it will have a positive change both in our lifestyle and finance.
We should note that the cost of electricity is rising due to the use of renewable sources [5]. But worrisome to note is that climate change is increasing, and so are the threats posed with the change. Is it necessary to learn habits to save energy? Yes, it is. All around us, science is highlighting the growing need for a sustainable environment.
When we start having a sustainable environment mindset, our attitude towards the world around us will start to change. We will also become fully aware of our actions. With energy-saving habits, we will be using less energy to do the same jobs. But to increase our energy efficiency, we must be aware of the energy we consume and those we waste daily.
How to Develop Energy-Saving Habits
- Use a lid over your kettle and pot: Most times, we hurriedly place the pot or kettle on the gas, but we forget to cover it. Be intentional in your cooking from now on despite the pressure; use a lid over your pot and watch that meal get ready quickly with less energy. An open pot or kettle consumes energy.
- Watch that dripping tap:Most times, a tap could be dripping, and we could leave it for almost a month before we call in a plumber. When we consider the billing charge on water or our pumping machine’s lifespan, we will shut those taps more securely. When washing, brushing our teeth or even shaving, some people tend to allow the water to run. This is a wrong practice. We waste a lot of water, but we will save water spending if we put off our taps. It is best to use a bowl while doing any washing to prevent water wastage.
- Use energy-saving lamps:Replace those traditional incandescent light bulbs if you still have one, with an energy-saving bulb today. They consume an excessive amount of electricity. With this switch, see how your energy consumption will reduce drastically. Some people may complain about the cost of energy-saving bulbs, but their lifespan is worth the cost.
- Know the best times to open and close your curtains:It is best to draw up your curtains and blinds over your windows at night and open them during the day. During the day, opening the windows and blinds allows in the fresh air. This gives the room warmth and clears of offensive odour. It also provides sunshine, especially the morning sun, which provides vitamin D.
When we draw up the blinds at night, it locks in the warmth and sustains us from adverse weather conditions. The health benefit we derive from this saves us money. During summer, it is best to close the window blind during the day. This helps to avoid much sunshine from heating the room. However, close your curtains when leaving the house.
- Paint the house with materials that reflect light:Next time you want to repaint, use semi-gloss paint or satin paint on those wall surfaces. This type of paint reflects light, making it easier to light up your rooms using a lower bulb watt.
- Use energy-efficient appliances:Having energy-efficient appliances is more economical. It is best to replace our old appliances with them. When purchasing any energy-efficient appliances, look out for the energy star label. The energy star label guarantees you that the appliance will conserve energy. Energy-certified appliances tend to consume half of the energy than conventional appliances do.
- Remove from the socket when not in use:Many people might ask, “How does that affect my energy saving?” Well, when plugged into a socket, even when not in use and the switch is off, it has been found that appliances still use a little amount of energy [1]. So the best thing to do is to remove it from the socket. This will help to preserve the lifespan of such an appliance.
- Home automation:Automating your homes and using smart home controls gives you the benefit of control. You can turn off that bulb you forgot from anywhere with your cell phone or laptop [3]. If you can afford a smart integration, this is a great way to ensure that your home appliances are never ON without anybody around. The switch of your house will be in your hands.
When we put these new habits into practice, we will help the environment. And in our small ways, reduce global warming and its impact. We will also enjoy personal benefits like reducing our energy spend and potentially preventing health issues.
References
[1] National Research Development Corporation – NRDC
[2] Sustainable living guide. Cultivate energy-saving habits
[3] Smart Energy International. Energy-saving habits for 2020
[4] Forbes. The Paradox of Declining Renewable Costs and Rising Electricity Prices