Let’s Make Energy Efficiency One of Your New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions are all about creating lasting habits that improve your life. When it comes to energy efficiency, small, easy changes can make a big difference in your energy use—and your budget. The key is building habits that fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Here’s 10 ways to incorporate energy-efficient habits into your resolutions.
Turn Off Lights When You Leave a Room
Yes, your parents were on to something when they hounded you about turning off the lights when you left the room. It’s one of the easiest and most effective habits to build to assist with energy efficiency. While it may seem like a small action, it can make a noticeable difference in your energy use over time, especially if you tend to leave lights on in multiple rooms.
It’s easy to forget, especially when you’re in a rush, but small reminders can help. Start by placing sticky notes near light switches as visual cues. These notes can be temporary until the habit becomes second nature. Alternatively, try pairing the action with a phrase like, “Lights off, energy saved,” as you flip the switch—this reinforces the habit through repetition.
For families, consider turning it into a fun challenge. Keep a tally of who remembers to turn off lights the most during the week, and reward the winner with a small prize. This not only builds good habits but also makes everyone in the household more mindful of energy use.
If you want a more hands-off approach, smart lighting systems or motion-sensor lights can automate this habit for you. These options ensure lights turn off automatically after a set period or when no motion is detected, adding convenience to your energy-saving efforts.
Unplug Devices You’re Not Using
Many devices continue to draw power even when they’re turned off. Chargers, TVs, and small appliances are common culprits. Get into the habit of unplugging these items when they’re not in use. For convenience, use power strips, and make it a daily habit to turn them off when you’re done.
Adjust the Thermostat Before Bed
Lowering the thermostat by a few degrees at night is a simple way to save energy while you sleep. Set a daily reminder on your phone or use a smart thermostat to automate the process. Once this becomes routine, you’ll enjoy a more comfortable sleeping temperature and lower energy bills without extra effort.
Switch to Cold Water for Laundry
Switching to cold water for laundry is one of the simplest ways to save energy—and it doesn’t compromise the cleanliness of your clothes. Most detergents are designed to work effectively in cold water, making it a practical choice for everyday laundry.
By using cold water, you avoid the energy required to heat water for each load, which can significantly reduce your electricity use over time. This habit is particularly helpful for households that do multiple loads of laundry each week, as the savings can add up quickly.
To make this change stick, consider placing a small reminder on or near your washing machine to encourage family members to use the cold setting. If your machine allows, set the default temperature to cold to make it automatic. For extra convenience, pre-sort clothes so loads like delicates or lightly soiled items are always ready for a cold wash.
Use Timers for Lights and Electronics
Timers are a great way to form energy-saving habits. Set outdoor lights or holiday decorations to turn off automatically at a certain time each night. Indoors, smart plugs can help you schedule devices to power down during times they’re not needed. Automating these habits removes the guesswork and keeps your energy use in check.
Close Curtains and Blinds at Night
Keeping curtains or blinds closed at night helps insulate your home and reduce heating loss during the winter. Make it part of your evening routine—right after dinner or before heading to bed—to close them. In the summer, get into the habit of closing blinds during the hottest parts of the day to keep your home cooler.
Check for Drafts Weekly (or Regularly)
Drafts around windows and doors can waste a lot of energy, but finding and fixing them is an easy habit to adopt. Dedicate a few minutes once a week to check for cold air near windows or doors. Keep weatherstripping or draft stoppers on hand for quick fixes.
Start Small with One Appliance at a Time
Instead of overhauling your whole home at once, focus on forming energy-efficient habits with one appliance or system. For example, commit to regularly replacing HVAC filters or running the dishwasher only when it’s full. Once this becomes routine, move on to another area of your home.
Create a Family Energy Challenge
Forming habits can be more fun when it’s a team effort. Turn energy efficiency into a family challenge where everyone works together to reduce energy waste. For example, see who remembers to turn off the most lights in a week or track how much energy your household saves over a month.
Use Technology to Help
Technology can make energy efficiency easier to achieve. Smart thermostats, for instance, allow you to schedule temperature adjustments, ensuring your home is comfortable when needed but saving energy when it’s not. Smart plugs can also help by turning off devices automatically or letting you control them remotely through your phone.
Energy-tracking apps and devices provide insights into how much power your home uses and when. They can also send reminders to adjust your thermostat, turn off lights, or unplug appliances, helping you stay consistent with your habits. Over time, these tools make it easier to monitor your progress and see how small changes add up to big savings.
Small Steps Lead to Big Savings
New habits don’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on small, manageable actions, you can make energy efficiency part of your everyday life. Over time, these habits will become second nature, helping you save energy, reduce costs, and make a positive impact on the environment.
This year, let’s make energy efficiency a resolution that sticks. At NextVolt Energy, we’re here to support your journey with straightforward plans and tools to help you succeed. Here’s to a more efficient 2024!