Renter-Friendly Ways to Save Money on Electricity while Helping the Planet 🌎
Saving money on electricity goes hand-in-hand with reducing our impact on the planet by reducing carbon emissions. Often, when we talk about solutions to reducing energy costs, we talk about switching to energy efficient appliances or taking steps to weather proof your home. But these solutions aren’t accessible to renters, who typically have no control over these major actions. So how can renters (and homeowners alike!) make their homes more energy efficient? Here are 10 simple tips!
Turn off lights when you’re not in a room. Turns out your dad was right - this directly reduces energy consumption and keeps your light bulbs working longer!
During the day, rely on natural light. Apartments often have less windows, so try to optimize the light by decorating with light colors and placing mirrors throughout the home to reflect natural light. Allowing sunlight into your space in the winter also helps keep rooms warm without having to use a heater.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED, which use 75% less electricity and last longer.
Run large appliances mid-day (10am-4pm) or in the evening (9pm-5am). If on the “Time-of-Use” PG&E rate plan, energy rates are cheaper during this time since there’s less demand for electricity. During mid-day, energy is more likely to come from renewable sources, while the sun is out and the wind is blowing.
Wash clothes in cold water and air dry. Modern detergents can easily clean clothes and remove stains in cold water. While, air drying clothes significantly reduces energy consumed by a dryer. Not only do these actions save energy, but they will reduce the wear and tear on your clothes!
Unplug appliances when not in use. Some appliances - known as vampire appliances - continue to use electricity when they're plugged in even if they’re turned off. When not in use, try to unplug things like small kitchen appliances, TVs, computers, and charging cables.
Lower your thermostat at night. During the winter, while home and awake, thermostats can be set to 68°F for comfort. While out or at night, reduce the temperature to 58-65°F. Every 1 degree you lower the thermostat for an 8-hour period can reduce your heating bill by roughly 1%!
Reverse ceiling fans. Set fans to run clockwise at low speed in the winter to push warm air down. In the summer, set fans counterclockwise to create a breeze.
Leave the oven door cracked after baking while it cools. Your oven produces a lot of heat! When finished baking, turn off the oven immediately and crack the door to allow the extra heat to warm the room around you.
Create a hygge space. The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga"), is about finding happiness in coziness, comfort, and togetherness. To reduce the need for heating during the winter, dress warmly and use blankets. While just a small flame, candles can create enough heat to warm a small room by a degree or two. And drinking warm water or a hot drink can help warm up your body. Not only do these small actions reduce energy consumption, they create that cozy hygge environment perfect for the winter months!