I used to think that drastically reducing my energy costs meant making big sacrifices. However, after doing some research and making a few simple changes, I was able to cut my energy bill in half while still living comfortably. In this article, I'll share the renewable energy hacks that worked for me so you can reduce your energy costs too.
Audit Your Energy Use and Look for Waste
The first step is to audit your current energy use so you know where you can make reductions.
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Check your electricity and gas bills and look at the usage over time. Are there any anomalies or spikes? Do you notice high usage at certain times of day or months? This can help identify areas to target.
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Conduct an energy audit on your home. Many local utilities offer free audits to locate leaks, drafts, and other wasted energy. I discovered several sneaky air leaks this way.
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Take an inventory of your appliances and devices. Make a list of all energy-hungry electronics like TVs, computers, and kitchen gadgets. Are they being used efficiently or left on needlessly?
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Pay attention to lighting. Note any empty, bright rooms or lights left on. Replacing bulbs with LEDs can cut lighting energy use by 80%.
Use Smart Power Strips and Timers
One of the simplest ways to stop energy waste is by plugging appliances into smart power strips and setting timers.
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Smart power strips can sense when a device is in standby mode and automatically cut power flow. I use them for my computer, stereo and TV setups.
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Timers can automatically turn lights and appliances on and off on set schedules. I have timers for my porch lights, coffee maker, speakers, and more.
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Putting your devices on sleep settings also ensures they aren't drawing power when not in use.
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I was able to effortlessly reduce my wasted standby power by around 20% this way.
Unplug and Ditch Energy Vampires
"Energy vampires" are devices that draw power even when switched off or not in use, like phone chargers and coffee makers.
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Unplugging or detaching these devices when not in use can shave 5-10% off your bill.
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I got in the habit of unplugging or using power strips. Ditching old extra refrigerators and outdated electronics also helped.
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Replacing aging devices like refrigerators with Energy Star-rated models can significantly reduce idle energy drain.
Adjust Thermostats for Heating and AC Savings
Heating and cooling accounts for a large chunk of home energy bills. Optimizing your thermostat settings can net big savings.
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Keep your thermostat at 78°F in summer and 68°F in winter. Every 1° cooler or warmer respectively increases costs by 3-5%.
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Use a programmable thermostat to adjust temps when you are asleep or away. I programmed mine to reduce heating and AC during my long workdays.
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Use a ceiling fan in tandem with your AC to allow raising the temp several degrees without sacrificing comfort.
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Improve insulation wherever possible to prevent heat transfer and leakage.
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With these thermostat tweaks, I managed to cut my HVAC costs by 35% without being uncomfortable.
Install Solar Panels
One of the best investments I made was installing rooftop solar panels. This allowed me to generate substantial clean energy and significantly shrink my bills.
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Solar panel costs have dropped 70% in the last decade, making them affordable for mainstream homes.
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Federal and local incentives can reduce installation costs by 50% or more in some regions.
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Today's solar panels are flexible, powerful, durable, and easy to install. I was able to go solar for under $10,000.
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Solar provides me energy security in outages. Any excess power gets fed back to the grid for credit.
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On sunny days, my solar panels can generate 100% of my home's electricity. They cut my energy bill by 40%.
Conclusion
Cutting your energy use in half is achievable through creativity and smart home improvements. Simple changes like power strips, programmable thermostats and LED lights make a big impact. Investing in renewable energy solutions like solar panels can drastically shrink your bills for years to come. Try implementing some of these renewable hacks to start saving today!