Whether you are aware of the ecological threats posed by overuse of electricity or not, you can’t turn a blind eye to your expensive energy bills. While it is true that electricity enables us to function in a wide variety of industries, we still can’t deny that electricity is costing the earth literally and figuratively at the same time.
Office and home appliances have a major share in our monthly bills. Though we can regulate our daily usage of these appliances, it would be best to also scan the energy-efficient features they promise before paying for them at the counter. To help you, here are seven energy saving hacks you should consider before purchasing appliances if you want to cut down your monthly electricity bill.
1. Discard or Repair Your Old Appliance?
Of course, you’re buying a new appliance either because you don’t have it or because you are replacing an old one. If it happens to be the latter, consider the costs of buying new vs. repairing. If you break down how much energy your appliance is using and compare it to the energy savings a new appliance offers, you might be better off just repairing what you have instead of sending an outdated appliance to the landfill.
That said, some people hang onto appliances purely because they have sentimental value. However, we should prioritize managing our electricity consumption more than our emotions. If you plan to keep an aged appliance forever, don’t plug it in unless you want an excessive electricity charge.
2. Small Appliance, Less Energy Cost
Many people are drawn to extravagant appliances. To some, size is the most substantial detail. Before deciding on your appliance’s dimensions, think twice about the energy it consumes.
For instance, refrigerators with a smaller capacity can only cater to minimum loads. Suppose you frequently use the kitchen, and you open the refrigerator often. In that case, a small refrigerator could let out less cold air, allowing you to save energy when compared to larger refrigerators in the appliance market.
3. Choose a Wise Design
Make it a habit to look into ingenious designs rather than flashy features. Extra features can be enticing, but the convenience might not be worth the increase in your power consumption.
For example, dishwashers with added features such as power wash will cost you more than those that offer basic wash cycles. Look for smart designs that prioritize energy efficiency.
4. Check the EnergyGuide Tag
This label comes in yellow and black. It will serve as a consumer guide when shopping for appliances. Another advantage of this sticker is that you can compare the energy usage of every appliance. Don’t forget that labels with yellow-printed numbers undergo the same test process so you can compare appliances with these tags.
Typical EneryGuide tags include yearly operating costs and estimated yearly electricity consumption. You can also check for the energy star printed with the figures. It is typically located at the bottom of the label. The energy star guarantees you that the appliance model is energy-efficient compared to others.
5. Calculate the Expected Energy Use
Shoppers who are savvy with their energy saving hacks calculate the expected energy use of a chosen appliance. If you have already checked the EnergyGuide tag, you can now calculate its expected energy use. The details printed on the label will help you keep track of your energy use and your monthly bills as well.
You have two options to consider if you want to get into long-term energy monitoring: installing an entire house monitoring system or using individual appliance electricity usage monitors. You can browse electric rates, as well, and use that info if you want to consider these options. You can also choose to employ manual calculation, which can also give you a good idea.
6. Look at the Energy-Efficiency Features
Energy-efficient appliances are smart choices if you are planning to shop now. Appliances like refrigerators and stoves can consume large amounts of electricity among the rest of home appliances.
The multi-colored sticker in the appliance is the energy efficiency label. In simple terms, this label allows you to determine whether the appliance that you are about to buy is energy-efficient. Sometimes, shoppers overlook this specific knowledge because of the appliance’s other appealing features, but it is important to note that this label should not be taken for granted.
7. Commit to Conserving Energy
We can all admit that we contribute to the earth’s climate issues, often through the excessive use of electricity. To offset the energy demands of our modern lifestyles, we have to take extra measures to conserve energy at home and work. The change must begin within ourselves, and the sooner we commit do doing that, the bigger our positive impact will be.
Takeaway
Our appliances provide us comfort all day. This is made possible by the energy supplied by mostly non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. We must do our part in saving our environment by taking initiatives to preserve energy, starting with the appliances we purchase. Not only will these energy saving hacks help mother nature, but it also benefits our finances when it comes to paying for energy costs.
Feature image: Phenyo Deluxe; Image 1: Castorly Stock
