October is Energy Efficiency Month, and boy oh boy are we excited. Energy efficiency = saving on those energy bills and reducing our environmental footprint. It's a classic win-win. It's one thing to be all in on the energy efficiency game, but how can we actually reduce our energy use?
Here's our round-up of helpful hints:
#1 Swap your incandescent bulbs for LEDs
#2 Wash your clothes with cold water in full loads and skip the drying cycle when washing dishes
#3 Insulate your home to save on heating and cooling
#4 Advocate for policies that support a transition to renewable energy sources
What is energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency is basically the concept of more bang for your buck when it comes to energy use - it's all about using less energy to produce the same result.
While the commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors consume the majority of energy in the United States, residential energy use makes up about 16% of all energy. When we learn, then, that over 39% of residential energy is wasted, we see how huge the opportunity is to improve on our personal and collective environmental footprints. This is especially true because energy efficiency is the biggest, least expensive, and quickest way to provide energy to consumers.
Oftentimes, though, energy efficiency feels inaccessible or lofty. In fact, one study found that energy efficiency is the least visible, least understood, and most neglected way to access energy. Not all hope is lost. Increasing awareness of energy use can have a major impact on how much energy we use. One study found that when given information regarding their energy consumption, 70% of residents surveyed took action to reduce their energy use. So, we're here to give you what you need to access this cost-saving, environmentally, and socially beneficial tool.
#1 Swap your incandescent bulbs for LEDs
Lighting is a significant source of residential energy use. LEDs (or light-emitting diodes for those fancy folks out there) are a much more efficient option than incandescent bulbs. In fact, they can last at least 25 times longer and consume up to 90% less energy than their incandescent counterparts. If you were to switch five of the bulbs you use most in your home to LEDs, it is possible to save a whopping $75 on energy costs annually, not to mention all of the resource-use savings. As we said, it's a win-win.
#2 Wash your clothes with cold water in full loads and skip the drying cycle when washing dishes
Washing machines and dishwashers are some sneaky culprits when it comes to energy use. In fact, 90% of the energy that a washing machine uses goes into heating water. And, a washing machine uses roughly the same amount of energy regardless of the load size. Opt for cold water instead to save on some of that energy use, and run full loads to reduce the amount of energy per item washed. When it comes to your dishwasher, skip the drying cycle. Instead, open the dishwasher door and let those bad boys air dry.
#3 Insulate your home to save on heating and cooling.
Heating and cooling our homes, on average, accounts for almost 50% of our total energy consumption. And, studies have shown that 40% of energy is lost through heat escaping through windows and doorways. Seal leaks in your windows and install sliding guards under your doors to save up to 20% in heating and cooling costs. Some studies have shown that those with insulated properties might actually increase temperatures (creating more energy demand), rather than reducing the energy they consume. Keep in mind that when we install these energy-saving techniques and technologies, we often are saving moolah, but this doesn't mean we should go buck wild. Throw on a sweater or some thick socks instead of cranking the heat, or pop a window if it's not yet scorching outside instead of turning on the air.
#4 Advocate for policies that support a transition to renewable energy sources
It's also important to keep in mind that sometimes the amount of energy we can save is reliant upon how and from where we're getting our energy. Several studies have shown that increased renewable energy generation (instead of the current mix of electric power options) could result in consumer savings of tens of billions of dollars annually. This is partly due to how expensive fossil fuel power plants are. In fact, one study showed that adding 8 GW (equivalent to 800 million LEDs) of wind-powered energy in New York could save $1.3 billion in power plant operation annually. Now that's not chump change. All in all, a transition to renewable energy will help us move towards reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and provide us with energy savings, too. Support politicians that have renewable energy sources on their platform this November. Yay, decarbonization!