A good way to cut down costs and save money on your electricity bill is switching your home light bulbs to LED lighting available at local retailers or online shops like LightBulbPlanet, LED light bulbs consume 80% less energy than the old traditional incandescent bulbs, directly cutting electricity costs. In addition to switching to energy efficient lights, you can adopt several additional eco-friendly habits that will greatly reduce your energy costs.
Use Energy Efficient Lighting
Standard incandescent light bulbs have lit up our world for over a century. Today, however, these time-tested bulbs are the least efficient lighting choice on the market. Traditional incandescent bulbs have a short life span at only 1,200 hours, which means they must be replaced more often. They are also costly to use with an annual operating cost of $328.59 per bulb.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are the most efficient. They only use 6 to 8 watts of power and have an annual consumption rate of only 328 kilowatts. LED lights also have the longest life spans at 25,000 to 50,000 hours. Despite their higher purchase price, the savings you reap over the lifetime of the bulb will greatly offset their initial cost. For example, the annual operating cost of an LED light bulb is $32.85 per year, so you will save hundreds of dollars each year by using LED lighting in your home.
Additionally, since LED lights do not heat up when turned on, they do not warm the room. Therefore, you will not have to use as much energy to cool your home during the summer months when LED lights are in operation.
Alter Lighting Habits
Another way to put a dent in your energy bill is to turn of the lights. A good rule of thumb is to turn of lights whenever you leave the room. Install light dimmers to control wattage output whenever lights are in use. Also, on sunny days, open blinds and illuminate rooms with sunlight. In addition to being budget friendly, natural light will help improve your mood. Using candles is another great option that will light the room and create atmosphere, while consuming no energy.
Control the Thermostat
Energy costs are greatly impacted by heating and cooling. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your thermostat is set to consume as little energy as possible. The EPA recommends setting the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during daytime hours in the winter. When you are sleeping or whenever your home is unoccupied, set the thermostat to 55 degrees. Keep blinds or shades open during daytime hours to keep the home warm.
During the summertime, keep your thermostat set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. During daytime hours when the sunlight is strongest and the temperature peaks, close blinds and window shades to keep the room cool. This simple practice will greatly reduce the workload on your air conditioner, and conserve energy.
Most importantly, use an electronic thermostat to control the temperature in your home. Electronic thermostats are programmable, thus, making it easier to keep your energy consumption down.
Unplug
The proliferation of electronic devices and appliances in our homes consume a great deal of energy, even when they aren’t in use. According to EPA estimates, computer screens, laptop chargers, and mobile phone chargers consume a great deal of energy when in use. Conserve energy by unplugging items such as televisions, mobile phone and computer chargers, and cable boxes when they are not being used. Also use power strips to make it easier to unplug these items.
Seldom used appliances such as old freezers and refrigerators are energy hogs. Old appliances were
manufactured prior to the creation of energy regulations, and have inefficient motors and working parts that consume a great deal of power. Unplugging these old appliances can shave at least $10 off your monthly electric bill.
Energy Star Certifications
Make sure that all of your electronics and appliances bear the EPA’s Energy Star certification label. This label certifies that the products are energy efficient and estimates their annual operating cost. All new electronics and appliances are affixed with the label. However, some items are more energy efficient than others, so read labels when making new purchases.