7 Surprising Ways You Are Wasting Energy

Energy use is a part of everyday life. But what you may not realize is how much energy you are actually wasting in your Summerville, South Carolina home. Often times you may be wasting energy without even knowing you’re doing so. If you help reduce energy-wasting habits and practice good conservation tips, you can actually save up to 25 percent on your utility bills throughout the year. Check out some of the surprising ways that you might be wasting your energy.

Leaving Lights On

Leaving your lights on when they are not needed is a common habit, but one that is easy to fix. All you need to do is switch off your lights when you leave a room or your house and you will not only save money on your electric bills but also help extend the life of your light bulbs. If you like the added security of having lights on in the evening, you can use a smart home system that allows you to turn your lights on when you are away and the evening hours approach.

Leaving Your Electronics Plugged In

Many of your appliances and electronics draw energy, even when they are not in use. This can be extremely high for televisions, phone chargers, and computers. Make sure to unplug these items when you are not using them, or you can plug them into a power strip which you can easily switch off with the push of a button to reduce energy.

Running Appliances When They Are Only Half-Full

Your appliances draw a lot of energy when they are in use, with daily running adding a significant amount to your utility bills throughout the year. When you run your dishwasher or washing machine when it is only half full, you will use it more often, increasing your energy use. You not only can save energy from running the appliances less but if you opt for the air dry setting on your dishwasher and cold water rinsing in your washing machine, you can save additional energy as well.

Not Using a Programmable Thermostat

Heating and cooling account for almost half of the energy use in your home. This includes heating and cooling that goes on when there is no one in the home. When you use a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature of your home to be higher when you are away so your system will use less energy to maintain the temperature. Then simply program it to return to your preferred temperature before you arrive home. You can even go a step further by installing a smart thermostat, which provides you with energy saving tips and sometimes even learns your habits to make energy-saving adjustments on its own.

Failing to Maintain Your Air Filters

Dirty or clogged air filters can limit the airflow in your system which causes your system to work harder than it should to achieve the desired room temperature. The harder your system has to work, the more energy it will use, having it work less efficiently and resulting in higher energy bills. If you plan to install a smart thermostat, consider investing in one that provides you with maintenance reporting, so that you can be alerted when a change is needed. Otherwise, set a reminder in your phone to change the filter each month.

Browsing in the Refrigerator

Even staring into the refrigerator for a few minutes can waste a lot of energy. On average your family will spend 10 hours per year with the refrigerator door open looking for food, which will account for about 7 percent of the appliance’s overall energy use. Make sure you only open the refrigerator and freezer when needed and know what you are reaching for before you open it.

Not Having Regular Maintenance

When you have regular HVAC maintenance performed on your system, the technician will clean all of the components, check for parts that need repair, and make sure that you are getting proper airflow and your system is functioning as it should. Regular maintenance can lead to better HVAC efficiency.

Want to take control of the energy use in your home? Be mindful of common energy wastes and contact M & B Heating and Air at 843-628-1775 today to schedule your HVAC maintenance appointment.

Image provided by Shutterstock