Some simple ways to save energy??

Question

what are some realistic ways to reduce energy consumption for a large household?

Answer 1

Unplug electric appliances, like coffee maker, blenders, fans, tvs, dvd players, etc when not in use. These appliances "suck" on energy while still plugged in.

Answer 2

Unplug everything you are not using. Use warm clothes instead of heat, use recyled toilet paper. Buy enviormenttally safe stuff.

Answer 3

The vast majority of your energy usage in the home will be climate control, so anything you can do to make that more efficient will be your first priority.

Close off any rooms you rarely use.  Close the vents and shut the door.  No sense in heating and cooling space that isn't used.

Check for drafts around windows and doors.

Minimize your use of heating appliances(stove, hair dryer, water heater) in the summer, since now you are fighting with your air conditioner.  Cook outdoors when possible, let your hair dry naturally(your hair will be healthier for it too), take cooler showers and wash clothes in cold water.  Wash dishes in the sink.

Install a programmable thermostat and schedule it so that the temperature moves to 85 in the summer or 62 in the winter about half an hour to an hour before you leave.  The temperature in the house should not become uncomfortable within that timeframe and it gives your system that much more of a break.  Set it to change to a comfortable temperature around half an hour before you return.  It will not be at that temperature when you get home, but the house should still feel relatively comfortable compared to the outside temperature.  

Other things:

Get a side-loading HE washing machine.  They are more expensive but pay for themselves in water usage and electricity, not to mention they are easier on your clothes.

Install motion-sensing switches on lights where you only need them momentarily, like hallways.

Answer 4

When you're not in a room you should turn the light off and everything that wastes energy like tv's, lamps, lights and maybe buy some of those light bulbs that are twisted because those help save energy

Answer 5

The biggest factors which determine energy usage are the large appliances, ie. washer/dryer, refridgerator, stove, AC and heater.  If your appliances are old, I would invest in new energy saving models.  It's also important to keep your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summers.  Otherwise, turn stuff off when you're not using them.  It's as simple as that.

Answer 6

Use LED lights, if money is an issue, get CFL's.

Replace your hot water heater with a tankless one.

When your refrigerator goes out, look for a Sunfrost.

Replace outlets with a switchable one, when not in use, flip the switch.

Answer 7

Lights and the thermostat on your furnace.Put the lowest wattage in the socket you can or use fluorescent.Turn that thermostat down when you're away and in bed.My Moms doctor told her that the best rest at nite was at about 65 degrees.She tried it and done very well with it.I never sleep with any heat on.Love to get cozy in the bed and covers.Just have a little electric ceramic to heat while I dress for work.I have been this way all my life,try it....Oh and recycle those plastic bags...

Answer 8

The energy hogs in a home are the furnace, air-conditioner, dryer, stove, and hot water heater.  Lighting and electronic devices are way down the list of importance.

So realistically, all you can do is:

a. install a set-back thermostat so you only heat and cool your home when you are there

b. take showers in place of baths

c. only do full loads of clothes in the washer and dryer, and full loads of dishes in the dishwasher

d. cook on an outdoor grill using cheap propane

Please understand that anyone with a house doesn't casually waste energy to drive up their utility bills.  So further reducing energy use is not exactly easy.

It may make people feel good to tell others to install compact fluorescent bulbs (CFB), but one unseasonably hot summer requiring a lot of a/c more than wipes out all the energy saved by all the CFB's installed in a home.

That is the main problem with all the energy saving "tips" that can be found everywhere.  They don't tell you the significance of each action.  An efficient refrigerator, good insulation, and temperate weather that year are much more important than replacing the odd incandescent bulb with a CFB.

For more info on home energy use and lots of tips, see:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tip...

Answer 9

Dont leave lights on,get flourecent light bulbs,and unplug unused appliences.

Answer 10

1) Unplug anything that arent in use. (ie Coffee makers, can openers, toaster, lamps)

2) put items that you use frequently on a power strip (tv, dvd, computer etc) so that its easy for your family to turn them on and off

3) I unplugg my washer and dryer and only plug them back on when I used them

4) buy energy star appliances

5) buy a programable thermostat or reduce your thermostat by 10 degrees when you are gone

6) have lots of blankets ready for tv viewing

7) once an applicance is full charged disconnect it

8) close your curtains

9) weather strip your doors and windows

10) only run your washer, dryer, diswasher when it is a full load

11) Set your thermostat to 68 degrees when you sleep

12) when you are out of a room turn off the light

13) keep doors closed to rooms when you are gone or that arent frequently used (this will provide less space the heater is trying to heat)

14) buy a water heater cover

15) get a low flow shower head

16) shower at night instead of the morning (it will be less cold and less reason for you to want it hot)

17) wash clothes in cold water

18) dry clothes outside or on a low setting (delicate)

19) make a plan before you leave the house so you spend less time and gas on your trip

20) get a bin to put beside your trash can to put recyclables in (take them out at the same time as your trash)

21) instead of taking the trash out when you empty it put it in your garage and wait until the next time you leave to throw it away

22) exchange magazines with a friend or take them with you to the library the next time you go to donate them

23) wash and reuse plastic utensils

24) recylce tissue and wrapping paper

Answer 11

Make conserving into a game with rewards for best performance.