As summer winds down and students head back to the classroom, household routines undergo a major shift. Homework stations replace summer play areas, morning showers run on tighter schedules and weeknight dinners require quick turnarounds between extracurriculars.
With cooler fall weather around the corner and family members returning to work and school, your home energy habits are likely to change too. Fortunately, small adjustments around the house can keep your home comfortable and help you save on your energy bills all season long.
Light up study spaces with efficient LEDs
With shorter autumn days ahead, desk lamps and overhead lighting will stay on longer. If you’re still using traditional incandescent bulbs, switching to LEDs is one of the easiest, most cost-effective upgrades you can make.
LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, meaning just one LED bulb may last an entire school career.
Plug into savings at the homework desk and home office
Remote work and school projects mean laptops, monitors, tablets and printers are working overtime. But did you know devices consume electricity even when turned off?
The average home has about 40 “phantom” energy-using devices, drawing electricity constantly. Look for anything with a remote control, digital clock display or LED status light such as TVs, computers, printers, gaming systems, cable boxes and microwaves.
Try plugging entertainment and study center devices into a single power strip, so it’s easy to flip one switch when you’re finished. That cuts off standby power completely and helps you save money and energy.
Smart laundry and hot water habits
Between sports uniforms, school clothes and extra layers as temperatures drop, laundry piles up fast. Every washer load uses about 25 gallons of water, and an average shower uses about 10 gallons. Heating water is typically the second-largest energy expense in a home. Some tips to save water and energy include:
- Always select the cold setting for both washing and rinsing. Cold water cleans clothes just as effectively while saving a significant amount of energy.
- Set your water heater to a maximum of 120°F. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save three to five percent on water heating costs for every 10 degrees you lower the thermostat.
- Installing an efficient showerhead lowers the amount of water used without compromising water pressure, helping you save water and energy every year. Look for a showerhead with the WaterSense® label that certifies it uses 20 percent less water than standard models.
- Plumbers recommend draining and flushing your water heater tank once a year to remove sediment build-up. This keeps the unit running efficiently and extends its lifespan.
Prep for fall and winter
As temperatures drop, it’s also a good idea to seal up gaps and cracks to stop cold air from leaking in and warm air from escaping. Add weather stripping to drafty doors and windows, and apply caulk around gaps near pipes, ducts and exhaust fans to keep warm air inside.
Not sure where to begin? Take Energy Trust’s free online home assessment. It only takes about 20 minutes and helps you spot the best energy-saving projects for your specific home layout.