If you can turn the temperature down a few degrees in winter and up a few in summer, you will save on energy costs.
Photo by Mark Gilliland
Q: I want to lower my energy use, but I don’t know where to start. How can I find out how much energy I use? What are some ways I can save energy without spending a lot of money?
A: You can change your energy use by changing your behavior.
When looking at electric bills, many people focus on the total dollar amount of the bill. When you are trying to manage your energy costs, I suggest changing your focus to energy use. While you don’t have control over the cost of the energy, you can control how much energy you use. Here’s how:
Set goals. Instead of thinking about your bills in terms of dollars, think about them in terms of kilowatt-hours. A kilowatt-hour is the unit of energy used for most electric bills. Review your monthly total to get an idea of how much you use every month. Once you’ve reviewed your energy use, set goals for the next month. Try to use less energy than the month before.
Know when to use less. Some electric utilities offer time-of-use rates, which means electricity costs are dependent on the time of day. This pricing structure more closely reflects the cost to electric utilities and helps consumers understand that energy costs more when the demand for it is higher. Even if your electric bill does not include time-of-use rates, it can be beneficial to delay energy-intensive chores or tasks to when demand is lower. Peak hours are typically in the morning as we prepare for work and in the evening when we get home and start preparing food and turning on entertainment devices. Doing laundry and running the dishwasher are easy activities to delay until after peak hours.
Power “off” for energy savings. When looking for energy savings, remember that “off” is the most efficient setting. Computers and gaming systems can waste energy even when in sleep mode. The higher the wattage and the more hours the device is on, the more energy used. Laptops use the least energy, followed by personal computers at about 200 watts. Gaming consoles typically use less energy than gaming PCs. Don’t forget to turn off the monitor as well.
Adjust the temperature. When it comes to lowering your energy use, the settings on your thermostat are another great place to check. The closer you can keep the indoor temperature to the outdoor temperature, the more you will save. You want to protect your home from damage in extreme heat and cold, but if you can turn the temperature down a few degrees in winter and up a few degrees in summer, you will save on energy costs.
Replace the filters. Ensuring the filters in your heating and cooling system are clean is an easy way to keep your system operating efficiently. Adding annual servicing by a professional maximizes the efficiency and can lengthen the life of your system.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.