4 Things in Your Home You Didn’t Know Are Wasting Energy

By Kara Masterson

Electricity is used in our homes to complete most chores, maintain comfort and even keep us entertained. The amount and cost of electricity used in a single home increases with the number of electronics present. Various appliances consume a different amount of power which may vary depending on the task and the amount of time they are being used. However, some of our poor habits have contributed to wastage of energy leading to increased cost of living. Some of these energy-wasting activities include:

• Placing electronics near the air conditioning thermostat
• Having a poorly maintained duct system
• Leaving electronics switched on
• Leaving the air conditioning running

Placing electronics near the air conditioning thermostat

Most appliances, when being used, can produce a certain amount of heat. When they are placed near the air conditioning thermostat, it detects a decrease in temperatures, therefore running for a longer time than expected.

Having a poorly maintained duct system

The duct system is used for heating and cooling the rooms. However, if it is poorly maintained, more than 25% of the heated or cooled air gets lost. It is advisable to have a regular check-up for the system.

Leaving the electronics switched on

Most people do not remember to unplug their electronics even when they are not using them. For example, most people will still plug in a fully charged laptop. Other people sleep and leave their computers running during the night. It is estimated that people pay an excess of more than $77 annually due to the unplugged electronics at night. By taking some time every day to unplug your electronics you can really save a lot of money and a lot of energy.

Leaving the air conditioning running

When the rooms are warm, the ceiling fans can provide cool air without reducing comfort. They operate efficiently even after raising the thermostat set to 4°F. Most people tend to think that leaving the fan running even when they are not at home makes it more effective. However, it is surprising to know that fans are meant to cool people but not empty rooms. Therefore, when just placed in empty rooms, they can become a wastage of energy.

Conclusion

Wasting energy is common in most homes since people hardly realize it. However, individuals with broad knowledge, such as those who have pursued masters in electrical engineering, recommend rectification of the behaviors mentioned above. Saving the amount of power being used at our homes can reduce the bills and also raise the living standards.

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Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.  She loves to connect with people on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kara.masterson.58.