Last week we had a list of few tricks that can help us save money when it comes to our energy consumption. Let’s find out more ways to lower our consumption and pay less each month. We can always find a good use for the extra money to either save or pay off debt. Or, why not, enjoy a night out.
Turn off your computer, when you are not using it
I can’t believe how many times I have personally left my computer running throughout the night, while I was, of course, sleeping. When my folks would tell me it’s useless to keep it running, I’d just reply that it’s made to work for many long hours, it won’t break.
Well, ‘breaking’ is not the main issue here, the computer, as it’s running and no one is using it, will clearly use up electricity. Sure, it’s not a huge consumption (compared to the washing machine or the fridge), but why waste even those few bucks when you don’t have to?
Use your Christmas lights when it’s appropriate
We all know that Christmas without the lights is no fun. The reason why many families are keeping them running to really enjoy the holiday spirit. Having the Christmas lights on during the day for instance might not be such a great idea, let’s say they’re not as easy to admire and they do look best when it’s dark outside.
At the same time, maybe turning them off after you went to sleep might not be a bad idea either. I’d rather save up some bucks and use them when we can really enjoy them, than entertain late passers by on my electricity bill.
Unplug your battery chargers
Guilty as … charged! For years I’d leave the ‘chargers’ plugged even for days, thinking they can’t be using ‘that’ much energy. The basic rule with our appliances should be pretty simple: you don’t use it, unplug it.
Again, even if they’re not supposed to use up too much energy, why have them use any at all? Not to mention the risk of tripping over the wires when you’re not careful (been there, done that, got the bruises to show off).
Don’t let the dryer run the entire cycle if not needed
Sometimes, while you might have set the dryer to run for 45 minutes (or any time you find necessary), it’s possible for the clothes to be already dry. Do check your dryer and, if the clothing doesn’t need more drying, stop the cycle. Why pay more for the energy, when the appliance has clearly done its job.
Run the washing machine on shorter cycles
My mother in law knows one setting on her washing machine, so all the clothing gets washed in 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you look closely, you’ll notice there are shorter cycles, ideal if you don’t have stained/too dirty clothing. Why run the machine for more than an hour, when a 35-45 cycle is enough for them to be clean?
Air dry your hair
I know men who have VERY short hair, but they use a hair dryer for it, which always makes me smile. Even when I had longer hair, I’d just let it dry naturally. Unless it’s cold in your house or you have to go out (and leaving with the hair wet is not an option), you can save your hair having to stand all this heat and your electricity bill the added costs.
Collect the leaves manually
While a blower can do a great job and save you a lot of time and effort, a little exercise won’t harm you either. Take advantage of a nice autumn day and rake the leaves. You’ll save quite some energy (thus money), you’ll do some gardening work that will relax you and also work out a little.
More ideas to come, stay tuned 😉
Oh my gosh. I collected about 8 giant bags of leaves all by hand last weekend. Thank goodness that’s over with. I tend to leave things plugged in, but I do a good job about turning lights off. I just got a new high efficiency washing machine, so I’m looking forward to using less water with fewer loads at the same time. It’ll take me a while to get my money’s worth but at least I got the machine through a Black Friday sale!
If it’s saving you energy, it will clearly pay off soon. And getting it with a discount was also a great idea.
Good tips. I would also add that as long as it isn’t below freezing or raining outsize, you could hang your clothes to dry and not use the clothes dryer at all.
Even with modern low-wattage lights, I am always following my kid around the house at night turning off lights that he’s turned on.
We hang them even when it’s freezing. MIL loves how they smell afterward. We do have a covered terrace though (one side is open), so it doesn’t rain/snow on them.
I have two window ac units in my one bedroom apartment. It gets so hot where I live that I pretty much have to run them all the time. People up north run their heat during the winter, and I run my ac during the summer. It’s just a necessary expense. Electricity is pretty cheap where I live. I also keep them on the energy saver setting which allows them to turn off once the temperature is reached. The expenditure of money is worth it for me to be comfortable. As far as value for the dollar electricity is a best buy!
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