When you make the leap to living on your own, a lot of things can come as a surprise, or be new to you! For many, a lot of those surprises come when the bills arrive -- especially utility bills as they can change month to month. In our current economic climate, gas and energy prices are rising, so you might be wondering what you can do to trim down those bills.
It’s time to think efficiently! Not only is it great for the environment, but keeping an energy-efficient home is great for keeping those bills under control! When you’re renting, there are big energy adjustments you might not be able to make, but we’ve rounded up a few easy (and cheap!) ways for you to save some energy!
Turn down that thermostat. Of course, it’s always best to keep your home at a cooler temperature in the winter and warmer in the summer, but sometimes it can get uncomfortable! Instead, try adjusting it while you’re sleeping, or when you leave for class or work. Even keeping your heating/cooling systems on low for 8 hours can make massive improvements in energy usage.
Watch out for vampire power. Sounds ridiculous, we know! Believe it or not, when you leave large electronics plugged in, even while not in use, they can use some power. You can unplug chargers when they’re not in use, and plug your appliances or other electronics into a power strip that offers an on/off switch for ease!
Keep your blinds down in the summer. You can let a lot of heat in when the sun is beating down through those windows! To avoid needing to crank the A/C, keeping blinds down while you’re away or not in need of extra light will keep your entire home cooler.
Take shorter showers. Now, we’re not saying you shouldn’t enjoy a long, hot shower from time to time, but for daily showers, keep them short! Making sure you conserve hot water is a great way to save on energy! If you prefer to take long showers, turn down the heat instead – it's better for your hair and skin anyway!
Feng shui that apartment. Move furniture and decor away from registers, vents, etc. Blocking these can prevent the heating and cooling you have from circulating through your space! Let your heating and cooling work smarter, not harder.
Chill out. Your clothes, that is! If you have a washer/dryer in unit, try washing your clothes on the cold setting! And try air drying your clothes -- better for your clothes, better for your wallet!
Just implementing 1 or 2 of these things can make a big difference in energy usage -- we never want to send extra bills, so conserving energy makes sure we don’t have to!