Tips to save electricity at home

Every month the electricity bill arrives and, with it, the feeling that you could spend less. The good news is that you can: saving electricity at home doesn’t require major renovations or sacrifices, but a series of small habits and adjustments that, added up, make a big difference to your wallet (and the planet). Here are the most effective ones.

Light up smartly

Lighting is a good starting point:

• Swap old bulbs for LEDs: they use up to 80% less and last much longer.
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room (it seems obvious, but it’s forgotten).
• Make the most of natural light: open curtains and blinds during the day.
• Use light colors on walls, which reflect light better.

Hunt down “phantom” power

This is one of the least-known and most effective tricks. Many devices keep using electricity even when off, just by being plugged in on standby (that red light on the TV, the charger plugged in with no phone, the console in sleep mode). It’s called phantom load, and it can account for a non-trivial share of the bill.

The solution is simple:

• Unplug devices you’re not using, especially chargers.
• Use power strips with a switch to turn off several devices at once (TV, console, sound system).

Appliances: the biggest consumers

Large appliances are responsible for much of the consumption. To tame them:

• Washer and dishwasher: run them full and on cold or eco programs whenever you can. Heating the water is what uses the most.
• Fridge: don’t open it more than necessary, don’t put hot food in it, and check that the seals close well. Place it away from heat sources.
• Air-dry laundry instead of using the dryer whenever possible.
• When shopping, check the energy efficiency label (top classes): they use much less over time.

Heating and cooling with sense

Heating and air conditioning are usually the biggest energy users. To use them efficiently:

• Set the thermostat to a moderate temperature. Every extra degree in winter (or fewer in summer) sends consumption soaring.
• Take advantage of insulation: close doors, keep heat or cold from escaping through gaps.
• In summer, use fans (they use far less than air conditioning) and lower the blinds during the sunniest hours.
• In winter, bundle up a bit more at home before turning up the heat.

Small habits that add up

Other simple gestures that make a difference:

• Boil only the water you need in the kettle.
• Cover pots when cooking: water boils sooner and uses less.
• Take advantage of cheaper-rate hours if your contract has them, to run laundry or charge devices.

Saving is easy (and it pays off)

Saving electricity isn’t about being cold or giving up comfort, but about using energy with common sense: turning off what you’re not using, choosing appliances well, and taming heating and cooling. None of these tricks takes effort once they become habit, and together they can noticeably reduce your bill. Caring for your wallet and the environment, in this case, go exactly hand in hand.