What’S The Most Energy Saving?

Did you know the average U.S. household spends around $2,000 per year on energy bills? With energy costs on the rise, many families are looking for ways to cut down on their energy use and save money. The good news is that small changes made around your home can lead to significant energy savings over time. In this article, we’ll explore the most effective ways you can conserve energy in your house.

Home Heating and Cooling

One of the biggest energy drains in any home is heating and cooling. There are several ways to make your home’s HVAC system more efficient and reduce energy usage:

Install a programmable or smart thermostat. These allow you to set customized temperatures for different times of day. Program it to lower temperatures when no one is home and when sleeping. Smart thermostats like Nest learn your schedule and adjust automatically.

Add insulation. Make sure your home is adequately insulated in the walls, attic, and basement or crawlspace. Adding more insulation reduces heat transfer and improves efficiency. Target an insulation R-value of R-30 or higher for maximum savings.

Seal air leaks. Cracks and gaps let conditioned air escape, wasting energy. Caulk and weatherstrip around windows, doors, pipes and wiring to seal the building envelope.

Upgrade windows. Old single-pane windows have poor insulation. Replacing them with new double or triple-pane windows greatly reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

Clean and tune up HVAC equipment yearly. This improves efficiency and lifespan. Replace filters monthly. Have a professional technician inspect the systems annually.

Consider a ductless mini-split system. These systems have separate, highly efficient compressor/condenser units for each room. They reduce duct leaks and waste compared to central forced air.

Home Appliances

When it comes to home appliances, the biggest energy users are typically the refrigerator, clothes washer and clothes dryer. Newer, Energy Star certified models can provide significant energy savings compared to older appliances.

For refrigerators, top-freezer and bottom-freezer models tend to be more energy efficient than side-by-side models. Features like through-the-door ice also increase energy usage. Choosing an Energy Star certified refrigerator over a standard model can save around $35 per year in electricity.

For washing machines, front-loading models are typically more efficient than top-loading models. They use less water per load, which requires less energy to heat the water. Energy Star washers can save over $30 per year in utility costs. Gas dryers tend to be more energy efficient than electric models.

When shopping for new appliances, be sure to check the EnergyGuide label to compare energy use between different models and brands. The yellow Energy Star logo also indicates an appliance that is significantly more efficient than minimum federal standards.

Lighting

When it comes to home lighting, there are three main types of light bulbs to consider – incandescent, CFL (compact fluorescent), and LED. Incandescent bulbs are the traditional bulbs that have been used for over a century. They are inexpensive to buy, but about 90% of the energy they use generates heat instead of visible light, making them very inefficient. CFL bulbs are more energy efficient and last longer than incandescent. They produce about 70% less heat and use up to 75% less energy. However, they do contain a small amount of mercury.

LED bulbs are the most energy efficient option. They use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They run on low voltage, produce almost no heat, turn on instantly, and are mercury-free. Although LED bulbs cost more upfront, they have the lowest overall cost over their lifetime because of their extreme energy efficiency and long lifespan. Simply switching five of your home’s most frequently used bulbs to LEDs can save about $75 per year.

When shopping for light bulbs, always check the Lighting Facts label for lumens (brightness) and estimated yearly energy cost. Choose ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs for the best energy savings. The most cost effective LED bulbs provide a warm glow and are dimmable, so you can adjust the light to your needs. With the major advancements in LED technology and decreasing prices, LED lighting is hands down the most energy efficient choice.

Electronics

Electronics can consume a significant amount of energy even when turned off or not in use. This is known as standby power or “vampire” energy loss. Devices like TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, and phone chargers use energy even in sleep mode or when switched off.

The average home has 40 products constantly plugged in and drawing power. Standby power can account for 5-10% of household energy use. This wasted energy really adds up over time.

The easiest way to stop vampire energy drain is by unplugging devices when not in use or using power strips. Smart power strips automatically cut power off to save electricity. Simply switch off the power strip when equipment is not required. With a little diligence, these simple steps can lead to great energy savings.

Water Heating

Heating water can account for about 18% of an average home’s energy use. There are several ways to cut down on water heating costs and save energy.

One option is to purchase a more energy efficient water heater. Look for models that have the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates they meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA. Insulating the water heater tank and hot water pipes can help reduce heat loss and lower energy usage as well.

Tankless or on-demand water heaters only heat water as needed, rather than keeping a tank continually heated. This avoids wasting energy heating water that may sit unused for long periods. Tankless water heaters provide hot water endlessly as long as the demand exists, though initial costs are higher.

Lowering the water heater’s temperature setting can also save energy. Each 10 degree Fahrenheit reduction can save between 3-5% on water heating costs. Turning the temperature down to 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses. Also consider installing low-flow fixtures, which reduce hot water usage in general.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal can help homeowners save energy and lower their utility bills. Installing renewable energy systems allows you to generate your own clean electricity right at home.

Solar Energy

Solar panels (also called photovoltaics) convert sunlight into electricity. They can be installed on your roof or mounted on the ground. The electricity generated can power your home’s appliances and lighting. Any excess electricity can be fed back to the grid. Solar energy works great in sunlight-rich areas, and the panels have become much more affordable over the years.

Wind Energy

Small wind turbines can be installed on properties to capture kinetic energy from the wind and convert it into electricity. Wind power is very location-dependent, as you need a consistently windy area for the system to be effective. The turbines are mounted on tall towers to access faster wind speeds at higher altitudes. Home wind turbines can supplement a home’s electricity needs, especially in rural locations.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal heating and cooling systems use stable underground temperatures near the Earth’s surface to control temperatures inside the home. In winter, the warmth of the Earth heats the home. In summer, the home is cooled by transferring heat underground. While geothermal systems require digging beneath the home, they provide clean, renewable temperature control once installed.

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are more energy efficient than conventional gas-powered vehicles. This is because EVs have an electric motor rather than an internal combustion engine. The electric motor converts over 77% of electrical energy from the battery to power the wheels, whereas gas engines only convert about 12%-30% of the energy stored in gasoline.

Additionally, EVs don’t waste energy idling like gas vehicles. When stopped at a light or in traffic, gas engines still burn fuel even though the vehicle isn’t moving. EVs use no energy when stationary. Regenerative braking also allows EVs to capture energy that is normally lost as heat in braking with gas vehicles.

On average, EVs are about 3-4 times more energy efficient per mile than conventional gas-powered vehicles. Widespread adoption of EVs would significantly reduce transportation energy usage. With the US electrical grid also moving towards renewable energy like solar and wind, EVs will increasingly run on clean energy.

Public Transportation Saves Energy

Using public transportation like buses and trains is one of the most significant ways to reduce energy consumption from transportation. Public transit vehicles carry multiple passengers at once, spreading the energy required for transportation across many people. This makes public transportation far more energy efficient per passenger mile than driving a private vehicle.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation uses less than half the fuel per passenger mile compared to private vehicles. Other research has found that buses can save over 4,000 BTUs per passenger mile compared to an average car. And rail transit like subways and light rail are even more efficient, using around 2,500 BTUs per passenger mile.

Shifting commuters from single occupancy vehicles to public transit can therefore greatly reduce transportation energy usage and emissions. Even switching a fraction of trips from cars to transit can lead to substantial energy savings. Policies and infrastructure that make public transportation more accessible and convenient can encourage this mode shift and capture these energy efficiency benefits.

Conclusion

When it comes to saving energy around the home, some changes make a bigger impact than others. Upgrading your home’s insulation, windows, heating and cooling systems can lead to major energy savings, but these upgrades often require a significant upfront investment. Other energy savers like switching to LED lightbulbs, installing smart power strips, and setting back the thermostat are inexpensive and provide an easy way to trim your electricity use.

But one of the most impactful steps you can take is also one of the easiest – conserve energy by turning off lights and electronics when not in use. Unplugging unused appliances, enabling energy saver modes on computers and TVs, and air drying dishes can collectively make a major dent in your home’s energy demands. We all have ample opportunities to avoid energy waste through smarter power use.

By implementing some of the tips discussed here today, you can realize meaningful energy and cost savings. Consult a home energy audit to identify your biggest areas for improvement. Focus first on upgrades that will provide the most return on investment. With persistent yet achievable changes, you can reduce your environmental impact and keep more money in your wallet.