+Top Home Energy Suckers – When it comes to suckers of energy in your home, it is important to know which are the top on the list. This is very important. To be serious about building wealth and creating a strong financial platform for your family, then you have to be conscious of energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency is created when you reduce the impact of top home energy suckers in your life. Just think of the hundreds or even thousands of dollars you are leaving on the table each month and year because you are not paying attention to the energy suckers in your home. Let’s take this journey down the path towards energy efficiency by becoming aware of which items in your home are the top energy suckers.
+Top Home Energy Suckers
+Top Home Energy Suckers
Let’s get down to the crux of the matter here today and discuss the top home energy suckers. Below is the list of 10 items that are sucking the energy out of your home. If you like, please feel free to add some comments or suggestions to the comment section below the article. We love to hear from the readership about your thoughts on the topic at hand and always learn something new in the process.
Microwave Oven – It is true it doesn’t cost much to run your microwave oven, but you can be more energy efficient with it. You can unplug it when not in use. In addition, you can cook smaller portions at a time, which will require it to run less, thus saving you more.
Electric Stove or Oven – Using these appliances can really increase the cost of your energy bill. Substitute the microwave where you ca because it uses much less energy, but if you have to use the stove or oven be smart with it.
For example, the EPA recommends using the same size pot for the size of the eye on the stove to help reduce energy cost. The EPA states if you use a 6 inch pot on an 8 inch eye waste about 40% of the burners heat. This is like opening the window and throwing money out of it.
Home Computer – Most people leave their home computer and all the accessories that go with on while not in use. This is just money out the window again. All you have to do is plug in all of these devices to one power strip and cut the strip off when not using it. Problem solved and money is saved.
Non-Energy Star Rated Appliances – Let’s cut to the chase here. You have an abundance of appliances and electronics in your home. They all need to be energy star rated or they major suckers of energy in your home. I am not telling you to run out and buy all new washer, dryer, refrigerators, and televisions in your home today. Obviously, that will cost you a bit of money.
However, when you are due to buy these new appliances it is worth your wild to consider making the purchase on energy star rated appliances and electronics.
Lights – You may be aware the laws are changing with regards to your light bulbs. Starting January 1st, 2012, the law begins that will phase out incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy efficient bulbs. You don’t have to wait for this law to come into effect in order to start benefiting from the savings to your energy use.
One more suggestion I would add is to TURN THE LIGHTS OFF WHEN NOT USING THAT ROOM! Sorry for the all capital letters, but this is something I wrestle everyday with my children. They seem to think it is critical to leave every light on in the house. It is not and I find myself going behind them turning everything off every five minutes.
Water Heater – Your water heater is working overtime and costing you a bundle in your energy cost. This is kind of the bullet you have to swallow with a family of four or more in the house. You must wash clothes and run the dishwasher, but it is draining your water heater in the process. A tank-less water heater is much more efficient, but again you should wait until it is time to replace yours until you make the switch.
Cooling System – I know you have been hot this summer, but you don’t have to run your air conditioning 24/7. It is very costly to do so and there are a few suggestions to saving your money to be made here. One thing I will mention is be sure you have your AC on timer. There is no need to cool the home when no one is there to enjoy it. Set the timer about 30 minutes before everyone comes home to give it a chance to start cooling and turn it off in the night.
Read More: Cut Air Conditioning Cost
Heating Your Home – If cooling your home was going to be on this list, you had to know heating the home would be here as well. Obviously, you are not running your heating system right now, but in a few months if you are in colder climate areas this will be a major issue for you and a major energy sucker as well.
The figures are as high as 30% of your home’s energy bill goes to heating. This is tough to believe right now in this July and August heat, but it is true. The issue is with the heat, you must maintain a certain level in your home all day long. Otherwise, you run the risk of allowing pipes to burst and all sorts of other issues as well.
Try using space heaters in rooms you use while the kids are away at school. Set the timer on the eat. Turn the heat down at night and get under the blankets. Wear sweats during the day to keep warm or keep a blanket around. There are a ton of ideas out there to use and think about during the winter months. I got a feeling we will be discussing this a lot more during those times.
Overall, you should just be aware of the energy suckers in your home. The first step to solving an issue is identifying the problems. Above is a list of a few of them. I am sure there are many more, but hopefully you can get started on the right path of reducing your +Top Home Energy Suckers.
Good points. One of the easiest savings is using a cold water wash for laundry. I cut my gas utility bill by roughly a third.
Good tip! Never thought about just going cold. Thanks for sharing!
Energy-saving driveway(and bug-repellent/yellow) and porch lights are good …remember to cut them OFF when it is daylight !!!
standby electricity for TV, Music system, Router, modem, Computer etc adds up as well
Good call. Thanks for sharing this information.