Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized Magazine, an online publication that explores innovations in science and technology.
As the climate changes, many individuals experience an increase in their utility costs. The price alterations generate a significant challenge for people looking to increase their savings. Many mistake personal energy consumption adjustments as environmentally induced.
You can differentiate between the source of rising energy costs by accessing weather normalization data. Utilizing the information can help residents track their utility costs, limiting excess spending throughout the seasons. Enhancing your awareness and installing energy-efficient technology can significantly increase savings.
Energy Audits
Weather normalization helps people identify energy deficiencies in their home’s systems. If you struggle to meet monthly savings goals, your electricity bill may be increasing. You can perform an energy audit and compare current consumption patterns with weather normalization data.
Once you have this information you can install a smart energy monitor, helping compare consumption based on real-time readings. The device connects to an energy meter, sending readable findings to a smartphone or tablet. It can conduct an overall home reading and evaluate the electricity use of specific appliances.
You can also hire a professional to conduct a home energy audit. They will assess their findings and provide cost-saving techniques. Unlike the smart meter, they offer limited data based on a one-time reading, and consumption is subject to change.
Efficiency
Once you determine the source of your utility cost increase, you can take a deeper dive into the efficiency of your home’s appliances. Some outdated or under-maintained systems can increase their energy reliance over the years. Fortunately, environmental engineers and scientists developed high-efficiency devices, increasing your monthly savings and decreasing your production of greenhouse gas emissions.
Smart thermostats connect to the internet, tracking weather patterns and residential temperature control behaviors. The devices collect degree day data, evaluating the average differentiation between indoor and outdoor temperatures during each season. Smart devices can utilize the information, improving the run-time of and indoor temperature reached by the thermostat.
Smart lights also provide utility savings by decreasing a system’s reliance on electricity. The devices connect to a homeowner’s smartphone or tablet, helping them control the lights’ energy uses from anywhere. They also utilize motion detection sensors, cutting off their power absorption when rooms are vacant.
If your energy absorption from lighting is higher than expected and unaligned with the weather normalization data, you can sync your lights to smart blinds. The shades access real-time weather readings, letting in natural lighting when sun exposure is high. As they increase the natural lighting in a room, they can also shut off the incandescent bulbs.
Homeowners can additionally increase their utility savings by replacing incandescent lights with light-emitting diode bulbs. They are more energy-efficient than conventional versions, utilizing 75% less electricity. The bulbs also last 25 times longer, requiring fewer purchases over time.
Sustainable Consumption
Individuals can also alter their energy consumption habits to match the weather normalization of electricity usage. If you lack accessibility to smart blind purchases or installations, you can open the shades yourself on sunny days. Decreasing one’s reliance on energy-absorbing technology can significantly increase savings.
Opening the windows on cool summer nights can additionally decrease your air conditioning costs. You can also sleep on the ground floor of your home in warmer months, accessing natural cooling properties. A home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system utilizes high quantities of electricity, and limiting its use can expand utility savings.
Homeowners can further increase savings by replacing their HVAC systems’ air filters. Keeping the filter clean can preserve blowers and coils, enhancing energy efficiency. Keeping the screen unclogged can also improve airflow and decrease stress on the device.
Unplugging home appliances and wireless devices after they reach a full charge can also increase savings. When you charge your smartphone overnight, you may assume it stops absorbing power after being fully charged. Unfortunately, it continues pulling electricity from the outlet.
Desktops, microwaves, gadgets and more continue consuming energy even when you finish using them for the day. Unplugging the devices can significantly improve your home’s efficiency and your electricity savings.
Saving with Solar
People can significantly reduce their energy costs by connecting their electric devices to solar power. Renewable sources increase savings and shrink carbon footprints.
President Biden plans on developing a 100% clean electricity grid, supplying the nation with low-emission power. Individuals can prepare for the national transition by installing electric appliances and converting from fossil fuels. You may additionally install a personal solar system, reducing your reliance on the grid and unpredictable energy costs. Over time, you will experience a significant increase in your utility savings.
