The best tips to save energy at home

In the matter of lighting , it begins to be mandatory to opt for low-energy bulbs , if it is not possible to acquire the LEDs -which consume considerably less, but are still available to few. Those of low consumption spend 75% less energy and last approximately 8 times longer. In addition, every time "less ugly" models are made that do not clash with the decoration of the house. With an almost identical light, a 15W low consumption bulb divides the consumption by 3 or 4 compared to an ordinary 60W. An incandescent (or halogen) bulb consumes 775 kWh / year, while a low-energy bulb only 115 kWh / year. Although the low consumption began to be more expensive at the time of purchase, its price is becoming more affordable, and the lower consumption amortizes them soon. And better not to talk about halogen, expensive in terms of price and expensive in consumption. Finally, an obvious advice that sounds like that phrase of dad when we were little: think about turning off the light when you leave a room , come ... now you pay!

In terms of heating , whether it is electric or gas, how much it consumes! First and foremost: any window that does not close properly, or a door that does not fit are our main enemy. Heat is lost ... If you have shutters and curtains, as soon as it gets dark, you better close them. When you go to open to ventilate (just 5 minutes in cold weather and the house does not get so cold), do not forget to turn off the heating. To regulate the temperature, you can use an ambient thermostat, which easily regulates the temperature and turns the heating on or off depending on its oscillations. In addition, if you place a programmer, it will allow you to modify the temperature depending on the day of the week, whether or not you are at home, and also the time of day: for example, you can turn off the heating at night while you are well covered in the bed, and turn it on an hour before the first one gets up from the house so that it is already heated.

Why didn't you think that hot water consumes more energy than the set of appliances, including light? You are right. That is why a shower is preferred to a bathroom: a 4 to 5 minute shower consumes about 75 liters of water; instead a bath spends between 150 and 200 liters. If you have a boiler or heater at home, consider doing a maintenance at least every two years, since a dirty or calcified heater consumes much more energy to heat the same amount of water. And as for faucets, if you can afford a shower with a thermostat, it will help you not to waste water or energy, since it will regulate and keep the water temperature fixed. Think also of water economizers , such as sprinklers or pineapples that reduce consumption.

As for washing devices, give priority to low temperature programs. Washing clothes at 90 ° C is rarely necessary, and instead "sticks a stick" to the counter - and the poor clothes that wear much more. When it is little dirty, simply wash it at 30º, spending a third of the electricity. In addition, current detergents are effective and do not need so much temperature. Try to fill the washing machine - but without squeezing the clothes - or use the half load key if the machine has it. When buying the device, look at the energy label. An initially more expensive purchase can result in a short-term benefit. Let's think the A +++ rating is the best. And now, let's talk about the dryer. It is more comfortable, yes, but if we have clothes in the sun, the clothes and the energy bill will benefit again. The dryer spends twice as much as the washing machine , so if there is no other choice, at least try to put the clothes as centrifuged as possible so that the program lasts less. And as for the dishwasher, we hope to have it full before starting it . If it takes more than a day, we pass a "shower" program with cold water, and wait ...

As for the fridge and freezer, we refer you to the post Best tips to save energy with your fridge where you will find the most interesting to reduce its consumption.

As for the kitchen , you have to think about consumption at the time of purchase. Thus, it should be known that induction plates , although more expensive, are cheaper in the short term since they consume less. If the kitchen is electric -vitroceramic-, the corresponding utensils must be used to make the most of the heat source. And in this case, remember that the plates keep the heat a good while after turning them off, so it is not necessary to keep the stove on until the end of cooking. As for the oven, again we refer you to the best tips to save energy with your oven where you will find the most interesting.

We have called them that because they are at home without seemingly spending, but they cheat ... The TV , the DVD player, the computer, the high-fidelity chain, ... spend. And, in addition, most of these devices are equipped with a standby mode that consumes 24 hours a day. So, when you leave home, remember to turn them off. And remember that there are multi-sockets with a switch! Leaving them in standby, they consume an average of 100 to 130 KWh / year. On the other hand, if you have them all plugged into a socket with a switch, when they are not used, the switch is turned off, and that's it. And the least visible: for example, a mobile phone charger plugged into an outlet 24 hours a day, or a laptop while not charging, or any plug that has a built-in transformer consume !. Well, to unplug them, it doesn't cost that much either.