For those that are ready to finally cut down on energy costs, it is important to be able to identify some of the most energy hungry products throughout the home and then come up with a quick plan of action on how to curb monthly bills.
Identifying Phantom Loads
Phantom loads can be taking place throughout the home at all times and are described as any appliance or device that is off but still consuming electricity. While the electricity is minor, these phantom loads can add up to serious money at the end of the year. The best way to put a halt to phantom loads is to unplug unneeded electronics whenever they are not in use or attaching them to a power strip which can turn off multiple appliances at once.
Refrigerators and Freezers
According to the Department of Energy, refrigerators and freezers are the most power-consuming appliance within the kitchen and one of the worst in the home. This is often due to the fact that many homes keep these appliances for dozens of years with older products being very inefficient. For those that cannot change to an Energy Star refrigerator, it is important to turn off the “power saver” switch if condensation is not a problem, reset the thermostat to 38 degrees, defrost the freezer regularly, and check the seals often.
Water Heaters
Just behind air conditioners and furnaces, the water heater consumes the most energy within the home. This is why many homeowners are now turning to tankless water heaters from Calgary in order to cut costs and avoid unwanted temperature changes to their water supply. Tankless water heaters provided by Arpi’s Industries Ltd. quickly heat only the exact amount of water that is needed, often saving a few hundred per year.
Programmable Thermostats
Installing a new digital and programmable thermostat is one of the single best investments for those that are looking to save on their energy bills. These devices can keep the entire house at a comfortable temperature without the huge variations that tend to drain energy. This includes being able to set timers so that a home is at just the right temperature when residents get home, but not consuming energy throughout the day.
Saving energy within the home does not need to be a confusing and time-consuming affair. Taking a fresh look at some of the most energy-hungry devices and then making minor changes could be all that is needed to save on money.