As summer temps start to climb, the urge to turn down the thermostat “just a little bit more” hits. Give in, and you’ll find yourself footing a hefty energy bill. Air conditioning aside, your monthly bill may be higher than it needs to be, thanks to some little-known energy hogs lurking in the home. Read on to discover these common energy hogs and how you can minimize their waste and save money:
1: Battery Chargers
How many times have you plugged a charger into your mobile device at bedtime to get it juiced up for the next day? Do you just leave the charger plugged in when it’s finished charging? According to the California Energy Commission, the average California home has 11 chargers in it. What’s more, is that nearly two-thirds of the 8,000-gigawatt hours used by such chargers are wasted by inefficiency. This brings us to the first secret to a lower energy bill: Unplug your chargers as soon as you’re done charging your devices. Or, if you want to go in for a total overhaul, check out solar battery chargers at Wirecutter.
2: Microwave Ovens
Their convenience is undeniable, and you would be hard-pressed to find a household without one. The typical microwave oven uses between 750-1100 watts of electricity, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If you leave your microwave oven plugged in, then it continues to consume energy even when it is not being actively used. The best solution is to plug it into a power strip, and then simply turn it off and on the strip as you need the microwave. While you’re at it, do the same with your other commonly used kitchen appliances—put them all on a power strip, and then turn the strip off when you’re away to save electricity and money.
3: Pool & Hot Tub Pumps
America is home to more than five million swimming pools, the Environmental Protection Agency reports. The pool pump is a critical component of any pool. Traditional pool pumps are set to run at one speed, which is not necessarily the best speed for the job, and they can waste energy during filtration. The same is true for at-home hot tubs. The best way to combat this, according to Hot Tub Works, is to replace the filter every 12 months. Proper pool and hot tub maintenance require you to take some extra steps to ensure you take care of the filters, so you can enjoy these amenities without worrying about the waste.
Now that you know the secret to a lower energy bill, implement these tips immediately and help yourself and the environment.
