Energy efficiency is optimizing technology to use energy more wisely. Some examples of technologies that you can incorporate into your household include:
- LED bulbs: Install LED energy-efficient bulbs. They use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
- Advanced or smart power strips: These power strips can shut down appliances or electronics that have gone into stand-by mode, thereby cutting off wasted electricity.
- Furnace filter whistles: This little gadget is cheap and easy to use. Just install it in your air filter. Once your air filter becomes dirty, it whistles at you so you know when it’s time to replace your air filter
- Insulation and weather-stripping: Use outlet gaskets around electrical outlets, foam or v-seal weather-stripping around doors and windows, and door sweeps to cut down on air drafts from the outside.
- Aerators: Aerators can be installed on any of the faucets in your home. They introduce air into the waterflow so that you can maintain the same water pressure, while using less water.
- Energy efficient shower heads: These use less water while you are showering and therefore use less energy to heat and pump the water. You can also shorten the length of your showers.
- ENERGY STAR Appliances: These appliances are deemed to meet a certain level of energy efficiency. If someone in your household is buying a new appliance, encourage them to look into ENERGY STAR appliances.
- Programmable thermostat: Instead of manually adjusting the thermostat to the most energy efficient temperature, consider purchasing a programmable thermostat. These devices automatically adjust the temperature for you, so that your household can always be kept at the most energy efficient temperature.
