Sustainable Practices for Reducing Home Energy Use This Summer – Simple Ways to Reduce Energy Use
By Evelyn Long, editor-in-chief of Renovated
Summers just keep getting hotter and hotter. To prepare for it this year, explore different sustainable practices to reduce home energy consumption. Mindfulness and efforts to rely less on electricity can help the planet in the long run.
Current State of Climate Change
NASA confirmed 2023 had the hottest summer on global reports. These record-breaking heat waves are a testament to the progression of global warming.
Excessive heat didn’t only cause discomfort to homes and businesses. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes climate change has also caused longer droughts and a moisture-deprived atmosphere. Such conditions have created an environment where wildfires are more common.
Extreme heat is also melting glaciers. The Arctic will likely be ice-free by summer 2040 if emissions increase. When these resources melt, sea levels will rise, endangering coastal countries and communities. The ocean will also absorb the temperature, so hurricanes and typhoons are more likely to form throughout the year.
Important Reasons to Reduce Energy Use
The best way for homeowners to combat the heat is to find ways to reduce power use. Turning on the air conditioner or lights can seem small, but it all snowballs into using non-renewable fossil fuels like oil and coal. When power plants burn these non-renewable resources, it drives up greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gases increase carbon and harm the environment in the long run. While it can be easy to blame everything on big businesses, residential electricity use is also responsible for around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Thus, regulating a property’s energy use can help slow down climate change and its unbearable heat.
If stopping global warming isn’t enough reason, using less energy can also offer savings. The average cost of utilities per household is about $489.35 per month. With inflation so high, it’s vital to cut back on expenses. Regulate usage to save the planet and a household’s hard-earned money.
Different Ways to Regulate Energy Use
Not using any electricity is unhealthy during the summer, as too much exposure to high heat can cause harm. Rather than total deprivation, focus on slow reduction. Having a schedule and monitoring power consumption can build habits and use less energy in the long run.
1. Adopt Renewable Energy
One fundamental way to lessen usage is to increase energy independence with more viable resources. Unlike more conventional sources, renewable power is abundant and causes little to no strain on the environment. Explore which types apply to a home and its location.
Some homeowners also like to utilize a hybrid system. Various forms of electricity generation can provide plenty of power for many household chores and appliances. When running out of one resource, turn to other electricity generation tools and storage.
Here are some common renewables for residential properties:
- Solar energy: Solar energy is among the most popular renewable power systems for households. Since summer brings more concentrated sunlight than other seasons, it’s an ideal time to start generating and storing renewable energy.
- Wind energy: Wind turbines usually get a reputation for powering commercial spaces, but there are smaller versions that suit homes, too. Wind-energy-based generators are ideal for states experiencing plenty of strong breezes throughout the year.
- Hydropower: Hydropower systems are water supply installations. These systems typically operate by feeding water to turbines or wheels. The mechanical energy generated from that motion is converted into electricity.
2. Seek Window Replacements
Windows can be a big factor in how high or low a home’s electricity consumption is. Depending on the material and its design, these openings can allow sunlight and heat to pass from outside through the indoors and vice versa.
It’s recommended to find thick and sustainable material. Fiberglass contains up to 60% recycled glass that’s melted and spun into fibers. Aside from its durability, this glass can provide better insulation than other glass types. In terms of design, casement windows are ideal since they’re easy to open and close. They also offer a good level of ventilation when necessary.
During the summer, homeowners can turn their cooling units on and shut the windows. If they do turn them off, keep the openings wide open to allow fresh air to come inside. To add an extra shield against light and heat, get blackout curtains and keep them closed.
3. Find Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
Staying cool is a necessity for many people, especially when they have a low tolerance for heat. Explore efficient air conditioners to regulate consumption.
Energy Star gives ratings for air conditioners that help with conservation. According to the organization, an optimized unit utilize 8% less power than other models.
That said, there are extra ways to ensure efficient air conditioners use less electricity. For example, schedule when it turns on and off. Some programmable models can also lower the temperature at certain times. Having periods with the AC off can conserve power even more.
Homeowners should set a schedule for cleaning the filters, especially for older units. Summer heat can make air conditioning work harder than usual to deliver cool temperatures. Adding the extra burden of dirty filters can use more energy in the long run.
4. Regulate Appliance Use
Running the dishwasher or laundry machine can take up quite a bit of electricity. Focus on doing one big load rather than having multiple cycles with smaller ones. This action can minimize the amount of time and energy machines use.
Aside from minimizing power consumption, homeowners are also preventing electrical fires from occurring. Appliances are prone to overheating and potential malfunction during the summer heat.
5. Improve Insulation System
Another way to reduce home electricity spending is to improve the insulation. While the cooling units are on, air can easily slip through the crevices in the doors, windows and walls.
Cool air slipping away can make power consumption unnecessary. What’s worse, units have to make up for the lost air. Invest in sealants like weatherstripping to close off gaps and prevent leaks that affect the temperature.
6. Utilize Other Cooling Solutions
After adding insulation, try other ideas to circulate air throughout the household. A variety of fixtures can minimize the number of cooling units a home needs. For instance, a fan can direct air to a specific part of the house — perfect for a home office that needs extra attention.
A ceiling fan can be a simple solution for distributing cool air around the home. Their blades are most effective when 7 to 9 feet above the ground. Install them in common areas like the living room, dining area and garage.
7. Keep the Light Bulbs Off
Consider switching off the light bulbs during the day and utilizing the increased natural light. Just remember to be wary of the UV radiation that can come in through the windows, using sunscreen to protect the skin.
When night falls, use some energy-efficient lighting. LED light bulbs are highly recommended for the interior of the home. For the exterior, solar-powered lights by the walkway and garden can keep the property illuminated.
8. Be Mindful When Cooking
Cooking a meal during the summer can seem undaunting, but exercise some mindfulness. Most kitchen fixtures can turn up the home’s heat, creating a need for extra cooling and power. Generally, it’s best to avoid the oven or to use it sparingly. Even the initial preheating step can create plenty of warmth in the home.
Take advantage of meal-prepping. Aside from getting all the food for the week ready, this practice minimizes the time and electricity used on the stove and other kitchen appliances. Store the portions in an efficient refrigerator for good measure.
9. Unplug All Electronics
Every homeowner has some electronics they rarely remember to unplug. For example, always keeping the water heater on ensures hot water is always ready. Unfortunately, this tool takes up up to 18% of utility bills in U.S. households. During the summer heat, turn it off and pull the plug.
Find other devices that are constantly plugged in and allow them to rest. If they’re necessary, consider looking up the off-peak hours for the household’s electricity provider. Using electricity during these times can lessen the load on power grids and minimize use.
10. Spend Time Outdoors
One underrated way to reduce home energy consumption is to leave the house. Some people like to take a full-blown vacation, but even just walking to the park or heading out to eat can give the household a decent break from running all the time. Shut down every appliance and lock the doors before leaving.
Achieve Sustainability with Home Energy Regulation
Climate change is continuously advancing, so it’s more urgent than ever for individuals to do their part and lessen emissions. Homeowners can take a stance by reducing their home energy use with the steps above this summer. Any effort to lower consumption is a step in the right direction, so experiment with multiple ideas and see the results they bring on the next utility bill.
About the Author
Evelyn Long is a writer and the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her work has been published by NCCER, Build Magazine and other online publications.