eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Save Power at Home

Contributor
By Alicia Bodine
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)
Energy-Saving Light Bulb
Energy-Saving Light Bulb

Saving power at home is more than just about saving money. It is also about saving the earth's resources and using them wisely. If we don't begin utilizing our resources wisely, we are going to raise children that waste the power without even giving it a second thought. The best part about saving power at home is that it is so easy. It only takes a few extra conscience choices.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Insulation Energy-saving appliances Energy-saving light bulbs Solar panels
  1. Step 1

    Make sure your home is properly insulated. If it isn't, you are losing power every time you need to heat your house. Make sure you check the walls, floors, and attic and add insulation as needed.

  2. Step 2

    Choose to buy energy-saving appliances. These appliances will have an Energy Star rating. These appliances are 15% more efficient than appliances that don't carry the Energy Star rating. This is a great way to save power in your home because you most likely use your appliances on a daily basis.

  3. Step 3

    Switch to energy-saving light bulbs. These light bulbs are more expensive than regular light bulbs, but if you just replace one light bulb each week your entire house will be saving power in less than three months. Energy saving light bulbs also last 7 years which is a lot longer than regular light bulbs.

  4. Step 4

    Check the caulking on your windows and doors and make sure no air is getting out or in. Apply new caulk if needed.

  5. Step 5

    Consider getting solar panels. Solar panels get the energy from the sun and convert that energy to run the items in your home that need power. Solar panels are not cheap, but they can reduce or eliminate your electric bill depending on the number of solar panels you purchase.

  6. Step 6

    Unplug any items that you are not using such as a hair dryer. You should also make sure you turn off your television when no one is watching it. Teach your children to turn off the computer when they are done with it. All of these things take but five seconds and can save power in your home.

Tips & Warnings
  • Make it a habit to turn the lights off when you leave a room.
  • Keeping your heater set to high can waste a lot of power. Consider turning your heat down to 68 degrees F.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Home & Garden
Ruby Bayan,

Meet Ruby Bayan eHow's Home & Garden Expert.

Get Free Home & Garden Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden