How to save money on electricity (10 ideas)

If you want to reduce your electricity bill, there are some measures you can take to save energy and money. 

Here we present 10 ideas on how to save money on electricity.

How to save money on electricity (10 ideas)

1. Take advantage of natural light

Open curtains and blinds during the day to illuminate your home without having to turn on the lights. Turning off lights when you don't need them or when you leave a room is a simple and effective practice to save energy and reduce your electricity costs. In addition to the economic benefits, this also contributes to resource conservation and reducing carbon footprint, which is good for the environment. 

Establish the habit: Make a conscious effort to remember to turn off the lights every time you leave a room. You can make it part of your daily routine.

Use timers or motion sensors: If you tend to forget to turn off the lights, consider installing timers or motion sensors in rooms so that the lights automatically turn off after a set time or when there is no movement.

Teach family members: Make sure everyone in your family is aware of the importance of turning off lights when not needed and encourage this habit at home.

2. Use low consumption light bulbs

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent (CFL) lights is a great way to save energy and reduce your electricity costs. Here is more information about these two types of bulbs:

LED Lights (Light Emitting Diodes):

Energy Efficiency: LED lights are highly energy efficient. They consume significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs, which can lead to substantial reductions in your electricity bills.

Durability: LED lights have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. They can last up to 25,000 hours or more, meaning you'll rarely have to replace them.

Light quality: LED lights offer excellent light quality, with warm or cold light options, and are usually dimmable to adjust the intensity according to your needs.

Instantaneousness: LED lights turn on instantly at full brightness, unlike some CFLs that can take a few seconds to reach full brightness.

CFL (Compact Fluorescent) Lights:

Energy efficiency: CFLs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, although they generally consume a little more energy than LED lights.

Durability: CFLs also have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, but they tend to last less than LED lights.

Light quality: The light quality of CFLs has improved over time, but some users may still prefer the more natural, dimmable light of LED lights.

Warm-up time: CFLs often require a few seconds to reach full brightness after turning on.

In general, LED lights are the most recommended option due to their greater energy efficiency, durability, and light quality. Although they may initially cost slightly more, this pays for itself over time due to their long lifespan and energy cost savings. Replacing your incandescent light bulbs with LED lights is an effective way to reduce energy consumption in your home and contribute to environmental conservation.

3. Regulate the thermostat temperature

In winter, set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature, but not too high. For every degree you lower, you can save between 5% and 10% energy. In summer, turn up the thermostat a few degrees and use fans or air conditioning only when necessary.

Setting your thermostat to an appropriate temperature in winter and not keeping it too high is a great way to save energy and reduce heating costs in your home. Here are some additional tips on how to optimize thermostat use during the winter season:

Set a comfortable temperature: A temperature of 20-21 degrees Celsius (68-70 degrees Fahrenheit) is usually considered comfortable for most people in winter. Set the thermostat to this temperature when you are home and awake.

Reduce the temperature at night: While you are sleeping or when you are not home, consider reducing the temperature on the thermostat. Many modern thermostats allow you to program schedules to automatically adjust the temperature. Lowering the temperature at night can save you energy without sacrificing comfort.

Wear appropriate clothing: Instead of overheating, wear warm clothing, such as sweaters and thick socks, to stay warm. You can also use extra blankets on the couch or bed.

Take advantage of sunlight: During the day, open curtains and blinds to allow sunlight to naturally warm your home. Close them at night to trap heat.

Keep the thermostat clean and calibrated: Make sure the thermostat is clean and in good working order. Dirty or out-of-calibration thermostats can cause your heating system to work inefficiently.

Consider a programmable or smart thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic schedules for temperature adjustment, making it easier to save energy. Smart thermostats can learn your usage patterns and adjust the temperature optimally.

Remember that every degree you lower your thermostat can result in significant savings on your heating bill, especially throughout the winter season.

4. Insulate your house

Check that the doors and windows close well and there are no air leaks. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any gaps. You can also install double-glazed windows or put up thermal curtains to prevent heat loss in winter and overheating in summer.

Here are some steps you can take to achieve this:

Check for air leaks: Perform a thorough inspection of your doors and windows to make sure there are no air leaks. You can do this by feeling for drafts at the edges or by using a candle to detect air movements. If you find leaks, use self-adhesive weather stripping or caulk to seal them.

Install double-glazed windows: Double-glazed windows have two panes of glass separated by a space of air or inert gas. This provides better thermal insulation and reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. If possible, consider replacing old windows with double-glazed windows.

Use thermal curtains: Thermal curtains are an excellent option to improve the energy efficiency of your windows. These curtains are designed to keep heat inside in winter and block heat outside in summer. Be sure to close them at night in winter to retain heat.

Insulate exterior doors: Exterior doors can also be a source of heat loss. Use weatherstripping to seal gaps around doors and make sure the door closes tightly.

Consider blinds or awnings: In summer, blinds or awnings can help block direct sunlight and reduce heat coming in through your windows.

Keep windows and doors in good condition: Perform regular maintenance to ensure windows and doors are in good condition. Replace broken glass or deteriorated gaskets as necessary.

These measures will not only help keep your home more comfortable year-round, but they will also help you save energy and reduce your heating and cooling costs.

5. Unplug devices you don't use

Many appliances and electronic devices consume energy even if they are turned off or in standby mode. To avoid this phantom consumption, unplug the plugs when you are not using the appliances or use power strips with switches to cut off the power. Here are some recommendations to achieve this:

Unplug the plugs: When you are not using electronic devices or appliances, disconnect their plugs from the outlet. This completely interrupts the power supply and prevents consumption in standby or standby mode.

Use power strips with a switch: Power strips with a switch are very useful for grouping several devices in one place. You can turn off the power strip with a single switch, which will conveniently disconnect power to all connected devices.

Set timers: In some cases, you can set timers so that devices turn off automatically after a period of inactivity. This is useful for devices that you don't need to be on all the time.

Use smart plugs: Smart plugs allow you to control devices through an app on your smartphone. You can schedule on and off times or turn them off remotely when you are not using them.

Buy efficient devices: When purchasing new appliances and electronic devices, look for models that are energy efficient and meet standby consumption regulations.

Energy consumption education: Educate your family members about the importance of unplugging devices and appliances when not in use to reduce energy consumption and help the environment.

6. Wash with cold water and full load

Washing with hot water consumes a lot of energy, especially if you use the dryer. To save, wash with cold or warm water and use short or ecological programs. Also, wait until you have a full load before putting the washing machine or dishwasher in. Here are some useful practices to achieve this:

Wash with cold or warm water: Many common stains can be removed effectively with cold or warm water. Adjust the water temperature in your washing machine and dishwasher to the lowest setting appropriate for your cleaning needs.

Use short or ecological programs: Most modern washing machines and dishwashers offer shorter and more ecological washing programs. These programs use less water and energy compared to long, high temperature cycles.

Wait for a full load: Before starting the washing machine or dishwasher, make sure they are full. Using them with full loads maximizes efficiency and reduces the number of cycles required.

Keep filters and traps clean: Regularly clean the filters and lint traps in your washing machine and dishwasher. Good maintenance helps maintain efficient performance.

Use cold-efficient detergent: When choosing detergents, look for options designed specifically for use in cold water. These detergents are formulated to work well at lower temperatures.

Take advantage of air drying: If possible, hang clothes instead of using the dryer. This not only saves energy but also extends the life of your clothes.

Opt for efficient appliances: When it's time to replace your washing machine or dishwasher, choose models that are energy efficient and meet energy efficiency regulations.

7. Cook efficiently

Use pots and pans appropriate to the size of the fire and cover the containers to take advantage of the heat and reduce cooking time. Turn off the oven a few minutes before finishing cooking and take advantage of the residual heat. Use the microwave instead of the oven whenever you can, as it uses less energy. Here's more information on how to put these recommendations into practice:

Use appropriate pots and pans: Using cookware that fits the size of the burner or fire on the stove is essential for efficient cooking. A smaller container on a larger burner will waste energy. Likewise, a larger container on a small burner will heat unevenly and lose energy.

Cover containers: When cooking on the stove, always cover pots and pans with a suitable lid. This helps trap heat and cook food faster, reducing cooking time and energy consumption.

Take advantage of the oven's residual heat: Turning off the oven a few minutes before you finish cooking is an excellent idea. The residual heat in the oven can continue to cook food during that time, allowing you to save energy without affecting the quality of your meals.

Prefer the microwave: The microwave is a more energy-efficient option for heating or cooking smaller or individual foods compared to the conventional oven. It's also faster, which can help you save time in the kitchen.

Appliance maintenance: Make sure your kitchen appliances are in good working order. Regular cleaning and proper maintenance can help them run more efficiently.

Cooking with a lid on the oven: When using the oven, you can also use energy more efficiently by cooking with a lid on your dishes, when appropriate. This reduces heat loss and cooking time.

8. Change your consumption habits

Adopting a responsible and conscious attitude towards the use of electricity is essential to reduce energy consumption and be more sustainable at home. Here are some additional guidelines to encourage greater awareness and responsibility in the use of electricity:

Turn off appliances when not in use: This includes not only lights, but also electronic devices, device chargers, and appliances. Even in standby mode, some devices consume power.

Unplug chargers: Unplug electronic device chargers when not in use. Chargers plugged into the outlet continue to consume power even if they are not charging devices.

Limit opening the refrigerator and oven: Avoid opening the refrigerator or oven frequently, as this allows hot and cold air to escape, respectively. Organize your food efficiently to minimize the need to open it.

Adjust the temperature of the refrigerator and oven: Set the temperature of the refrigerator and oven according to the needs of the season. In winter, you can slightly reduce the temperature of the refrigerator and use the residual heat from the oven to heat your kitchen.

9. Compare rates and offers

Reviewing your electricity contract and making sure it fits your needs and spending habits is a great way to optimize your electricity costs. Here are some additional guidelines to manage your electricity contract efficiently:

Compare options: Use online comparators to evaluate if there are other electricity companies that offer more competitive or advantageous rates in the market. Switching to an electricity provider with better rates can often result in significant savings.

Consider time discrimination: Rates with time discrimination offer lower prices in certain time slots, generally at night or on weekends. If you can adjust your spending habits to take advantage of these lower rate periods, this option can be beneficial.

Analyze your consumption: Review your electricity consumption history to understand your usage patterns. This will help you identify opportunities to reduce consumption and take advantage of cheaper rates.

Talk to your supplier: Contact your current electric company and discuss your consumption habits and needs. They can offer you specific recommendations or adjust your contract to better suit your requirements.

Opt for renewable energy: If you are interested in reducing your environmental impact, consider switching to a renewable energy tariff. Many providers offer green energy options that come from clean and sustainable sources.

Monitor your consumption in real time: Some electricity companies offer applications or devices to monitor your consumption in real time. This will allow you to identify opportunities to reduce consumption during peak demand.

Keep a record of meter readings: If you have an electric meter in your home, keep a regular record of the readings to monitor your consumption and ensure that your bills are accurate.

10. Install solar panels or self-consumption systems

Installing solar panels or self-consumption systems in your home is an excellent way to adopt a cleaner and more sustainable source of energy, while reducing your dependence on the traditional electrical grid. Here is more information about the benefits and considerations related to installing solar panels:

Benefits:

• Clean energy generation: Solar panels harness the sun's energy to generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or other pollutants, which contributes to reducing the carbon footprint.
• Long-Term Savings: While initial installation can be expensive, solar panels can result in significant savings on electricity bills over time. Additionally, some governments offer incentives and rebate programs to help offset upfront costs.
• Energy independence: By generating your own electricity, you reduce your dependence on the conventional electrical grid and are less exposed to fluctuations in energy prices.
• Added value to your home: Solar panel systems can increase the value of your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Considerations:

• Initial cost: The initial investment in installing solar panels can be high. However, the long-term savings often outweigh this cost.
• Location and space: The efficiency of solar panels is related to the location of your home, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the availability of roof or ground space for installation.
• Maintenance: While solar panels require little maintenance, it is important to ensure that they are clean and in good working order to maximize their efficiency.
• Local Regulations: Local regulations and permits may vary by location. Make sure you understand the requirements and procedures necessary for installing solar panels in your area.
• Long-term investment: Installing solar panels is a long-term investment. Make sure you have a solid financing plan and understand the time required to recover your investment.

If you are interested in installing solar panels, I recommend that you contact a solar energy provider or renewable energy specialist in your area. They can evaluate your location and specific needs to help you make an informed decision about installing solar panels on your home.