The Biggest Energy Consumers in Your Home And How to Make them More Efficient

No matter what time of the year it is, most homeowners are always looking for ways to reduce energy costs. The more energy-efficient your home is, the lower your utility bills, and the higher your savings!

It’s probably not surprising that our major appliances and heating and cooling systems are the biggest energy users in your home. In fact, your HVAC systems use nearly half of your home’s energy, while water heating and appliances are the next major consumers. Lighting and entertainment media come in at less than 15% of your energy usage.

If you want to reduce your energy costs and lower your home’s energy consumption, here are some tips and tricks for making your appliances and systems more efficient.

How To Make Your Appliances and Systems More Energy Efficient

Air Conditioning and Heating

Your heating and cooling systems do a lot of work in your home. When it’s sweltering outside, they keep you cool. When it’s frigid, they keep you toasty. They also regulate humidity and air quality to keep you and your family comfortable and healthy all year round.

So it’s not surprising that your HVAC system makes up nearly half of your home’s energy consumption. But there are ways to curb that usage, including:

Annual tune-ups for your AC and furnace keep them running efficiently and reduce the likelihood of future (expensive) breakdowns.
Use curtains to insulate your home, as windows let a lot of heat escape in the winter.
Turn your ceiling fans counterclockwise in the summer to keep your home cool and clockwise in the winter to let warm air circulate.
Regularly replace your air filters to make it easier for your HVAC systems to circulate air.
Clean out ductwork and vents.
Make sure outdoor components and vents are free from dirt and debris.

Water Heating

Your heating and cooling systems use around 46% of your home’s energy, but your water heater is the second biggest consumer at 14%.

This might not seem a lot in comparison, but if you can reduce your water heater’s energy consumption, you’ll see some big savings. Here’s how:

If you have an old water heater, cover it with an insulation jacket to prevent heat loss. Or, if you’re on the market, opt for a new heater that is naturally much more energy efficient.
Install water-saving showerheads and faucets to reduce water waste.
Set your water heater’s thermostat to less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Insulate your pipes

Appliances

Combined, appliances like your refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove, oven, and dishwasher make up around 13% of your home’s total energy consumption. You can reduce their energy use with these tips:

Organize your refrigerator so your most-used items are easily accessible, reducing time spent with the door open, which wastes energy.
Do not overload your fridge or turn the temperature down too low.
Clean underneath and behind your fridge so that ventilation can flow.
Wash full loads of laundry, but be careful not to overfill your washer or dryer.
Wash your clothing with cold water.
Clean your dryer’s lint trap with every use, and use drying racks or clothing lines whenever possible.
When you can, use a smaller appliance like a toaster oven or microwave in place of your stove and oven.
Pre-rinse dishes before they go into the dishwasher.
Fully load your dishwasher and do not use the heated dry option.

Lighting and Entertainment Media

If you’re trying to save energy, you can do more than just turn off the lights and shut off the TV before you leave a room. Here are some ways to reduce your energy bill when it comes to your home’s lighting and entertainment media:

Switch to LED light bulbs, which are more efficient
Open your curtains to let in natural light, especially in the warmer months.
Set up motion detectors for your outdoor floodlights so they are only in use when they need to be.
Turn off standby mode for your TV, computer, and gaming consoles.
Lower the screen brightness on your devices.
Turn off electronics after every use.

If you have any questions about an HVAC or plumbing equipment at your New England home, contact Evolved Mechanical today! Our team of licensed and experienced technicians is here to help you.