Creative Ways to Save on Energy Costs

With being home more often during the COVID-19 stay-at-home measures, you might find your energy bills skyrocketing. Community Financial wants to help you find creative ways to “beat the heat” while you stay safe and healthy at home this Spring.

Check out some of our easy-to-implement tricks below:

1.     Large Appliance Efficiency

Large appliances, such as dishwashers, washer and dryers, and your oven, can take up a lot of energy while in use. To cut down on energy waste, look to your efficiency. Do you run the dishwasher after only a couple meals? Try waiting until you have a full load of dishes before running. The same goes for your washer and dryer.

Don’t need your items (dishes/clothes) dried immediately? You can cut down your energy usage by air-drying! Hang dry your laundry outside on nice days, or on a drying rack in your home. Opening the dishwasher after use to air-dry, instead of using the heat-dry option, will also save you money.

2.     Beat the Heat

It’s a tale as old as time for a reason. Heating and cooling can get expensive and sometimes the easiest options are actually the best. Try keeping your thermostat a few degrees above/below what you would normally keep it at. You can make this change gradual, if needed, to get your body acclimated to the change. You’ll be amazed what a difference just a few degrees can make.

Another way to save on heating and cooling costs is to utilize your windows and curtains. If it’s a nice day outside with a good temperature, turn off your thermostat and open the windows. Fresh air will make your home feel refreshed, while also helping your wallet. On hot, sunny days, do the opposite. Close any windows and keep the curtains closed to block out the heat.

3.     Check Your Vents

Another super easy fix has to do with something we know exists, but we hardly ever think about: vents. Check every room in your home to make sure none of the vents have gotten blocked. If your furniture has made its way on top of or in front of a vent, it may be blocking the air from circulating inside your home and wasting energy without you even knowing.

4.     Pull the Plug

Even when not in use, electronics continue to use energy while plugged in. Think about your toaster. If it’s plugged in 24/7, but you only use it twice a week, why not unplug it between uses? The same thing goes for other smaller appliances in your home that you keep plugged in all of the time, such as the coffeepot, hairdryer, curling iron, and stereo.

5.     Flip the Switch

Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs can also make your energy use more efficient. Not only that, but fluorescent bulbs are longer-lasting than traditional ones, which means that you’ll be using approximately 80% less energy while doubling or tripling your bulb’s lifespan.

Your Turn: Do you have go-to hacks for conserving energy in your home? Tell us about them in the comments below!