19 Bright Habits for Smart Energy Use You Can Start Practicing Today

Before you flick on a light switch or use five appliances to make dinner, consider the environmental impact of your choices. Small changes in habits for smart energy use are easy to achieve. Reduce your carbon footprint and live more responsibly. Here’s how. 

1. Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

When dated appliances are ready for retirement, replace them with newer ones with an Energy Star rating to reduce electricity consumption. These newer devices use less power and lower your monthly utility bill. The savings will ultimately help make up for the initial cost. 

Part of this habit is to use appliances optimally. Half-filling a washing machine doesn’t drastically reduce the run time, so fill it up and do fewer loads overall. 

2. Switch on LED Lights Instead

If you haven’t transitioned to LED lights, it’s time you did! LED bulbs consume 75% less energy than incandescent alternatives. These bulbs are long-lasting and don’t need to be replaced as frequently. LED lights provide bright light at a fraction of the cost. 

Consider the added benefits of customizable LED solutions from manufacturers like LEDYi, which offer tailored lighting options that enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of any space.

Also, switch off lights when you leave a room. While it may seem insignificant, turning lights off saves unnecessary lighting costs and makes lights last longer. Unplugging devices you’re not using also helps lower your lifestyle’s strain on the environment. 

3. Install a Programmable Thermostat 

With a programmable thermostat, you simply set and forget the parameters. The controller automatically raises or lowers the temperature according to the preset levels, and some are equipped with motion sensors that can detect when you’re not home. Both strategies can save money on heating and cooling costs. 

4. Unplug Devices

Any device plugged into the wall socket — even when switched off or set to standby — uses electricity. Unused but plugged-in devices account for 23% of power consumption — this is called idle load electricity, and it’s a phantom power drain. 

5. Seal Air Leaks

Doors and windows can become drafty, especially in older houses. Cold air entering your home can raise heating costs because you use more power than you should. Caulk the gaps around openings or weatherstrip them to seal airflow, improving your home’s energy envelope and insulating your rooms. 

6. Wash Clothes in Cold Water 

A heated wash requires the water boiler or heater to warm the water, increasing power use. Extend the life of clothes and use less power by washing them with cold water.

7. Insulate Your Water Heater and Pipes

Heat loss drains energy, but by insulating your home’s water pipes, hot water remains warm for longer. Insulating the heater reservoir also ensures you have a steamy shower on demand. 

Reduce the temperature of the water heater to take some pressure off and lower power use. Every degree makes a difference — you could save up to 22% on heating costs annually. 

8. Flood Your Home With Natural Light

Open your home’s windows and use sunlight instead of artificial light. Natural light also boosts your mood and helps you sleep better by stimulating your circadian rhythm in ways that artificial illumination cannot. 

9. Cook Intelligently 

Save on utility bills by cooking smart. Use pot lids to heat food faster, reheat in an energy-efficient appliance like a microwave and cook larger batches to reduce stove usage. 

10. Dry Clothes on a Line

Avoid using the tumble dryer — dry clothes on coat hangers and drying racks. Air drying clothes in the sun requires no power use. When drying indoors, position racks in well-ventilated areas to avoid musty smells. 

Drying dishes in a drying rack is another great way to let nature work instead. 

11. Dress in Layers at Home

Layering your clothes at home or wrapping up in a cozy blanket while watching TV helps you stay warm without switching on a heater. You can easily remove layers to cool when it gets warmer. 

12. Get an Energy Audit

Consulting with an eco-analyst helps determine how and where your home wastes power or heat. When they pinpoint problems, it’s much easier to take remedial action to improve insulation, reduce costs and determine a savings plan. 

13. Use Ceiling Fans

Summer savings include using ceiling fans to cool indoor spaces without relying on an HVAC or air conditioning unit. Fans are excellent at circulating and dispersing air, creating a breeze. In summer, set the blades to rotate counterclockwise, but reverse the direction in winter to push air down and heat the room. 

14. Manage Your Windows

Maintain a comfortable interior climate by opening curtains and blinds in the morning to let cool air in during summer. In winter, close curtains in the morning to keep cold air out and open them to let in warmer afternoon air. When the winter sun starts to set, close the curtains to prevent warmth from escaping. 

15. Install Solar Panels 

Despite the high upfront cost of solar panel installations, this project pays for itself in a few years, resulting in free eco-energy from the sun. Check your local government pages for solar incentives. 

Modular installations, which allow you to add more batteries and panels as you have funds, are an ideal way to start the solar adventure. 

16. Do Energy-Saving Maintenance

Several home appliances work better when they’re maintained, and this also reduces their power usage. Take the time to defrost your freezer and clean the fridge at least once every three months. Ice buildup in your freezer reduces the efficiency with which it cools, which means the motor works overtime. 

Raise the temperature in the fridge and freezer to avoid overcooling. A refrigerator operates optimally at temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while a freezer must reach 0 degrees F.

17. Renovate With Low-Flow Showerheads

An eco-flow or low-flow showerhead is a terrific way to reduce water use. Water is pumped from reservoirs, filtered and heated before it reaches your shower. Reducing the amount of water you use per shower helps cut back on some of that excess. 

18. Upgrade to Timers

Using timers is an excellent way to regulate power consumption while you’re not at home. If you can, set controls for lights and appliances. Apps let you manage these remotely, making life and saving the planet much more convenient. 

19. Drive Green

It’s time to score with the federal tax credit or state incentive and go green with an eco-friendly car. Electric vehicles have come a long way, and you can sign up for incentives to make the initial cost more affordable. While they require charging, their energy conversion is more efficient than running your vehicles on fossil fuels. 

Become a Bright Power Saver

Habits cause people to use appliances without considering the cost. Stop and think about how you waste energy and what you and the planet pay for habitual actions. Simple choices like changing lightbulbs, waiting until you have a full load for the washing machine or unplugging unused gadgets can help you lower your carbon footprint and utility bills.