Saving energy at home is an issue that has been on the agenda in recent times, due to the energy crisis that is being felt.
Reducing consumption is increasingly important and we have to have this increasingly present in our daily lives.
It is possible to achieve this with small gestures that must be included in our daily routine. It may seem difficult, but there are several simple steps you can take to reduce your home’s energy bill.
In this article we present some tips with which it is possible to save energy at home. Read on.
Measures that lead to energy savings
1. Benefit from sunlight
Raising the blinds is a gesture that can lead to significant savings on your electricity bill. Currently there are automatic systems that allow us to do this routine in a simple way and at scheduled times.
Sunlight is ideal for those who choose, for example, to work from home, as it turns out to be less harmful to the eyes and, of course, it is free.
In Portugal, we enjoy many hours of sunshine a year, which makes us one of the leading countries in this regard.
2. Control the temperature
Controlling the temperature at home, especially in winter and summer, is one of the tasks that leads us to use air conditioning devices more often, so that we maintain a pleasant temperature.
Of course, feeling hot or cold is a very personal matter, but, as a general rule, a comfortable temperature in a house is between 20 and 24 degrees during the day and between 15 and 18 degrees at night.
It is therefore recommended not to exceed these temperatures, nor to increase or decrease them, as this can lead to a significant increase in energy costs.
3. Whenever possible, use efficient home appliances
Efficient home appliances are those that maximize energy use to achieve the same results.
Thanks to continuous technological advances, new features are constantly being added that make our appliances much more efficient, helping to lower energy costs.
Surely you may have a question: how to know if home appliance is efficient? For this you must pay attention to your energy rating.
Each home appliance is a label that classifies the appliance from A to G, with the first being the most efficient option and the second being the least efficient.
4. Don't waste energy
Although it seems very obvious, if you are going to leave the living room or bedroom, turn off the light.
If you are more distracted and left the lighting on, you can opt for an automatic system and through your cell phone you can check if the lights are on and turn them off with a simple gesture, or schedule a specific time for them to automatically turn off.
If you don’t use your computer, game console or television for a while, turn them off. If you’re not going to be home for a long time, don’t turn on the air conditioning.
5. Optimize the use of electrical appliances
The use of home appliances is another very important factor to save energy at home, because even if it is the latest and most efficient model, if you don’t use it correctly, it will not be efficient in terms of energy consumption.
Some tips for using home appliances:
- Fully fill the washing machine and dishwasher with each use.
- Wash at 40 degrees maximum.
- Do not accumulate ice in the fridge and keep its temperature between 3 and 7 degrees.
6. Energy saving lamps and LED lighting
Low-consumption lamps, as well as LED lighting, in addition to illuminating more, in terms of energy efficiency, far exceed traditional lamps and electrical installations, so their installation and use are one of the best solutions that must be implemented from the beginning.
7. Avoid silent consumption, no stand-by
Stand-by can represent up to 10% of your home’s total energy consumption. We strongly recommend that you turn off all appliances and devices that you do not use.
8. Adjust light power
The contracted power represents an important part of your monthly bill, so you must adjust it accordingly, so that you have what you need, no more and no less.
9. Wash with cold water
Heating water for washing clothes (this option is built into all washing machines) will increase your energy consumption.
Whenever possible, and there is no risk of damaging the clothes, we recommend that you wash them with cold water, in this way you can save a lot of energy.
10. Apps help!
Currently, there are several applications, which are generally made available by the energy supply companies themselves, which indicate the best times to consume energy.
You can also consult internet pages of light comparators, such as Selectra, which help you find the best energy rate for your home.
In addition, it can also integrate Wi-Fi modules such as those from the MCONNECT range that allow remote control of the opening and closing of the garage door, turning lights, blinds and curtains on and off. All via mobile phone, tablet or computer and voice assistants such as Google Assistant.
Did you already know these tips? We hope that you will be able to reduce the amount of your monthly bill and reduce your energy consumption and thus save even more.
If you find this topic interesting and would like to know more about our solutions, please contact us.
We will be happy to help and clarify your doubts.
*This article was developed in partnership with Selectra.
