Saving energy at home will ease the burden on you and your family's expenses, as well as being environmentally friendly. However, saving energy at home is not just about reducing electricity consumption because all activities at home that require water and fossil fuels use energy. There are also arguments for taking care of the earth and the environment on it, but if everyone participated in saving energy, this problem would be drastically reduced. Cutting energy consumption at home is done by reducing electricity and water consumption, being smart in consuming energy, preventing energy wastage, and choosing devices and equipment that help save energy.
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Part 1 of 3: Making Homes More Energy Efficient
Step 1. Replace the incandescent lamp
Incandescent light bulbs generate a lot of heat and light and are therefore very inefficient. Replace incandescent bulbs at home with fluorescent or LED bulbs to save up to 75 percent of energy consumption.
The use of lamps can reach approximately 10 percent of total energy consumption. One CFL lamp can save up to IDR 450,000 over its lifetime compared to incandescent bulbs
Step 2. Turn off the water heater
Old tank water heaters use a lot of energy to keep the water in their tanks hot. In fact, the use of water heaters can reach of the total energy use. Reduce the frequency of use of the water heater, and set the temperature to 50 degrees Celsius.
- Do not set the water temperature below 50 degrees Celsius because harmful pathogens can survive in the water tank.
- You can save energy by turning off the water heater even if the type you have is gas or electric because it takes a lot of energy to produce the gas used in the house.
- You can also make your water heater more efficient by covering it with an insulating blanket, and attaching an insulating sleeve to the pipes.
Step 3. Seal leaks and gaps
It takes a lot of energy to keep a house at the ideal temperature it takes a lot of energy. Leaks and gaps in the house will let the outside air in and the ideal temperature inside the house out so that the energy needed to maintain the temperature of the house is even greater. This is why covering these leaks and gaps will help save energy consumption at home:
- Install weather stripping on doors, windows, and attic or crawl space access holes.
- Seal letter gaps on unused doors.
- Seal openings and cracks in roofs, walls, around electrical outlets, and around pipes and cables using caulk or cork.
- Cover large holes, for example using cork products.
- Put plastic sheets on drafty windows, or install heavy curtains to keep out the wind.
Step 4. Increase the insulation around the house
Insulation will keep the house at a comfortable temperature so that the heating or air conditioning (AC) furnace does not work too hard. Go around your home and check the thickness of the insulation, especially in the fox and attic. Add extra insulation in areas that are less than 30 cm thick to reduce drafts and leaks.
- You can also use blow-in insulation which is better layered. This option is also more affordable.
- Common standard insulation is one that has an R-value of 30.
Step 5. Upgrade the device to energy saving type
Older devices tend to be more energy-intensive than current models, and energy-efficient devices use the least amount of energy to run. When choosing a device, look for one that has an Energy Star rating or other energy efficient product seal. Energy and water consumption on Energy Star devices can save up to 50 percent compared to older models.
- Front door washing machines are more energy efficient than top doors.
- Refrigerators that have a freezer on top or bottom are more energy efficient than those on the side of the refrigerator.
- Stoves with ceramic induction stoves are more energy efficient than traditional stoves
- Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than tank models.
Step 6. Install energy-saving windows
Much of the energy in a home can be lost by exiting through a bad window or door. Old windows are usually very drafty, which means that heating stoves and air conditioners will use more energy as they work harder to heat or cool the house. So upgrade your windows to a more energy efficient type, such as double or triple pane to help reduce energy consumption.
In many places, there are tax breaks available to households that change their windows to a more energy-efficient type. So, try to find more information where you live
Part 2 of 3: Adopting Energy Saving Habits
Step 1. Use a small appliance to cook small portions
An oven can be used if you are preparing a full meal; However, if you are only baking some vegetables, bread, or making small meals, use a smaller device that consumes less energy. For example:
- Use a toaster to bake bread
- Use the oven toaster for cooking or baking in small portions
- Use a steamer or rice cooker to cook rice and vegetables
- Use a frying pan for sauteing or frying instead of grilling
- Use the microwave to bake, steam, and boil all kinds of food.
Step 2. Turn off unused devices and equipment
Lights, televisions, computers, and other electronic devices use a lot of energy. You can save money by turning off the lights whenever you leave the room, turning off the television and radio when you're finished, and using the computer's sleep or hibernate mode when you leave the room.
- When you are away overnight or longer, unplug all power cords of electronic devices and equipment as they still use energy even when they are not turned on. To make it easier, use a power strip for equipment that is often shared, such as televisions, Blu-ray players, and stereos.
- Unplug cell phone chargers and other devices from electrical outlets when not in use as they still draw energy as long as they are plugged in.
- Reduce Phantom Load. Some electronic devices and equipment continue to consume energy even when not in use. This is commonly referred to as Phantom Load. This usually happens because the power cable is still connected or not turned off. You can ensure that energy is not wasted by unplugging the power cord from the wall outlet or turning off the connected power strip when the device is not in use.
Step 3. Save water consumption at home
In developed countries, the water that goes to households is processed, filtered, and sometimes chlorinated, all of which require a lot of energy. Look for ways to conserve water at home to help save energy. Here are some quick ways to save water:
- Take a shorter shower
- Turning off the tap water when using soap
- Fill the sink with water to wash the dishes instead of leaving the faucet on.
- Saving kitchen water for the garden
- Reuse cooking water
- Reducing water for flushing the toilet
- Replace fittings and faucets with water-saving ones
- Collects moisture from the AC unit and uses it to water plants.
Step 4. Wash clothes or dishes only when they have accumulated
Dish and clothes washing machines use not only a lot of water, but also power so use only what is necessary to help save energy at home.
- To save more water with the washing machine always choose the right amount of load so that the machine matches the water level.
- For the dishwasher, you can also save energy by turning off the drying cycle, and letting the clothes drip to air dry later.
Step 5. Wash the clothes in cold water
Washing machines already use up a lot of energy in the form of water and power, but you can reduce the amount by using a cold water wash cycle. Heating water consumes 90 percent of energy if your laundry load is full.
It's a good idea to use the hot water cycle only for heavily soiled clothes, but set the rinse cycle to use cold water
Step 6. Air the clothes
It takes a lot of power to run a clothes dryer, so it's a good idea to air dry your clothes on a line or a clothesline. Not only will this save energy, but your clothes will smell fresh.
Try not to dry clothes in the house because it can create humidity and mold in the house
Step 7. Cover the window with a tree or overhang
Trees and patios are a great way to naturally cool the house in summer and heat it up in winter. The trick is to plant deciduous trees on the south side of the house or install an overhang. A tree or an overhang will shade the house.
- In winter, the leaves will fall from the trees and sunlight can pass through the house.
- Instead of planting deciduous trees, you can also install heavy curtains, blinds, or UV-blocking sheets on the windows to block out the sun.
Step 8. Use only rechargeable batteries
While it may seem counterproductive, charging the battery is a great way to save energy compared to buying a new one. It takes more energy to produce a new battery than to charge a rechargeable battery. So, if your old battery runs out, replace it with a rechargeable battery.
- Rechargeable batteries are also cheaper in the long run because you don't have to keep buying new ones.
- Rechargeable batteries are also more environmentally friendly as they are not dumped on the ground after each use.
Step 9. Recycle and reuse
Like batteries, less energy is used to recycle than to make new ones, so energy consumption can be reduced by recycling items at home, such as washing old glass jars and using them to store food.
- Depending on the rules of the city you live in, items that can be recycled include glass, aluminum cans, bottles, plastic, cardboard, paper, and so on.
- Buy products with minimal packaging to save energy because no resources or energy is wasted in producing or recycling packaging.
Part 3 of 3: Reducing the Need for Home Heating and Cooling
Step 1. Clean the heating furnace regularly
A dirty or clogged heating filter will work inefficiently, which means that it uses more energy. To prevent this, check the filter monthly during the months the heater is in use. Vacuum or wash the filter if needed, or every three months.
Some furnace filters are not washable, and need to be replaced about once every three months
Step 2. Install the programmable thermostat
This type of thermostat tends to be more expensive, but you'll get a good return on your investment in the long run thanks to the energy saved. Here's why a programmable thermostat will save you money:
- Set the thermostat so that the stove or air conditioner does not turn on much when no one is home, and at night when everyone is asleep.
- Use the thermostat to lower the heat in the air conditioner when you go on vacation, but set it back to normal when you get home. There is also a thermostat that can be operated remotely, for example using a computer or cell phone.
Step 3. Seal the leak in the air duct
Leaky air ducts, like walls and windows, will waste a lot of energy because the heating stove and air conditioner will work hard to replace the air that comes out. Check heating, cooling, and air lines, and seal any holes, leaks, and other problems. If you find a leak, seal it with duct tape, then cover the drain with insulation.
Sealing these leaks will save up to 20 percent on electricity bills
Step 4. Keep the house warm in summer and cool in winter
For the summer months set the thermostat at 25 degrees Celsius, if you can. In winter, set the thermostat to 20 degrees Celsius. This will prevent the air conditioning and heating stove from running continuously, and will save a lot of energy in the home.
- In winter, wear sweaters, thick socks, slippers, and blankets to keep the house warm.
- In summer, turn on the fan to let cool air in the house
- A small space heater can come in handy if you live in the southern part of the United States.
Step 5. Use an air conditioner equipped with a Smart Time Switch
Air conditioning can consume too much energy. Smart switches (smart switches) are built-in timers that turn on and off electrical circuits. Smart switches can be programmed so that cooling is set for a certain time and saves electricity consumption until the next cooling cycle. This way, you can save energy even when you are sleeping.
