We hate to be the ones to tell you this, but your habits may be costing you more on your electricity bills. Sure, no one wants to think of themselves as having bad habits, and to be frank, these aren’t really what would generally be considered “bad.” But if you want to save yourself some money on power, try these tactics to turn those habits around.
Identifying Bad Energy Habits
If the person who raised you ever scolded you for leaving the lights on in a room you weren’t in or leaving the front door open, trust us, you’re not alone. We’ve all done it. (In fact, some of us at OnPoint have very distinct memories of their father shouting, “Were you born in a barn? We’re not paying to air condition the outside!”) But habits like that can wreak havoc on your energy bill. So it’s time to combat those habits and put an end to them. (You’re welcome, Dad.)
In all seriousness, though, you may be doing some things to raise your energy costs without even realizing it. Here’s a quick list of what could cause a spike in usage.
- Leaving the HVAC on when you leave the house
- Only relying on your HVAC for heating and cooling
- Closing vents in unused rooms
- Letting the air filter get dirty
- Wasting your water heater’s energy
- Leaving the lights on
- Keeping the doors and windows open
- Loitering in the fridge
- Keeping electronics plugged in at all times
- Ignoring drafts
We’ll tackle how to handle these habits (and why they’re hurting you!) in the next few sections. But for now, start to make yourself a list of all the ways that you could be wasting energy. The first step to addressing a problem is being aware of it!
Making Your Home More Energy Efficient
OK, now you’ve got your list, and we can talk about how managing these habits can help your energy usage. Let’s keep using the list from above for this.
Leaving the HVAC on when you leave the house
Who are you heating and cooling the house for when you’re gone? The ghosts inside? There’s no point in leaving the HVAC system on all the time, especially when you’re gone. Turn it off when you leave so your energy isn’t wasted. If you think you’ll forget, set a reminder every time you leave your home or invest in a smart thermostat that can handle this task for you. You can even set a schedule to run automatically so you literally never have to think about it.
Only relying on your HVAC for heating and cooling
Continuously changing the temperatures of your home can drain your battery if you only use HVAC as your source of heating/cooling. If you keep your HVAC set to a consistent temperature, your bill will fluctuate less. You can adjust the temperature for yourself with a blanket or fan on standby.
Closing vents in unused rooms
It’s actually a myth that it’ll save energy if you close vents to rooms you’re not in. But your HVAC isn’t psychic. It has no idea what room you’re in, and will continue to pump cool air or heat toward that vent regardless. It won’t be like your car where closing one vent pumps the air out harder through the other vents, but closing the vents to your unused rooms will help the rooms you actually use cool down more efficiently.
Letting the air filter get dirty
A dirty air filter in your system causes your HVAC to work overtime to push air out through the dirt. Generally, you should be changing or cleaning the filter every three months, but depending on a plethora of other factors this could be more often than that.
Wasting your water heater’s energy
It uses energy (and costs money) to heat water up when it doesn’t need to be hot. You don’t need to wash your clothes or wash your hands in scorching hot water. Fun fact: Water costs the least when it comes out cold.
Leaving the lights on
Just like your parents instilled in you. Turn the lights off when you leave a room, and keep them off when the sun is available to naturally brighten your space.
Keeping the doors and windows open
It’s especially important not to do this when the heat or AC is on. You don’t want that hard-earned energy to heat or cool your home to escape your home!
Loitering in the fridge
We can all agree that it uses energy to keep the fridge and freezer cold, correct? Now imagine if that energy is trying to cool down a space larger than the box holding all your food. That’s what happens when you open the fridge or freezer door and linger there to peruse the contents. Keep the doors closed as much as possible. Some smart fridges come with screens now that will show you what’s inside — this might be a great option if you’re a habitual fridge loiterer.
Keeping electronics plugged in at all times
You may know this habit as using phantom energy or vampire energy. Basically, it’s when you leave things plugged in all the time, even when you aren’t using them. Almost a full quarter of household energy is wasted by things that are plugged in, turned off, but still drawing energy to them. Unplug those devices that aren’t currently being used!
Ignoring drafts
Drafts coming in or going out from your windows and doors mean wasted energy. Your home’s HVAC system will try to regulate the temperature but struggle because the outside is creeping in. Seal up any drafty spots on your doors and windows to prevent this problem.
Keeping Your Home Cool in Summer and Warm in Winter
If you’re trying to save money on electricity, you may have to adjust your AC or heat 10 degrees, or even turn them off altogether. In that case, use your windows to your advantage. Closing the blinds on the sunniest parts of the day during the summer can keep natural heat out of the house. In the winter, opening the blinds at the same point in the day can let the warm air in. Make sure you’re using your ceiling fans efficiently, too — turning one way pulls cool air down into the room, the other way pushes heat down from the ceiling.
Smart Appliance Shopping Strategies
We’ve already mentioned a few smart appliances — thermostats and fridges — but there are plenty more out there, like light bulbs, power strips, and dishwashers. When you’re looking to switch over, make sure you do your due diligence by comparing all the features of each. You’ll want ones you can set a timer on, potentially some that respond to voice commands, and ones that are compatible with any home assistants you have. And don’t forget to look for things that are Energy Star certified!
How Working with an Energy Advisor Can Help You Save Money
Think of an energy advisor like a home inspector but for your electricity bill. They can come in, investigate your home and habits for possible unnecessary energy consumption, and let you know how to fix them. And once you put those tips into use, you’ll be saving money. It’s a win-win.
Start Saving Now
It is clear that the habits and choices we make when it comes to managing the energy efficiency in our homes contribute significantly to our energy bills. We have identified multiple strategies for providing an efficient and comfortable home. Some may require a financial investment, however they can result in long-term savings over time. Don't forget, you can start saving today by switching to OnPoint Energy for reliable power at competitive rates! Find out available rates in your area by entering your zip code here.