Homeowners faced with rising utility costs or those who just want to develop greener habits might wonder what products could help them to save energy. There are many energy-efficient products on the market, and there are numerous ways homeowners can choose to develop more mindful energy-use habits.
What are some energy-efficient products? Energy-efficient appliances are the most common; homeowners might look for the ENERGY STAR label to better identify these products. ENERGY STAR appliances include dishwashers, washers/dryers, refrigerators, freezers, and dehumidifiers.
The ENERGY STAR label that denotes energy efficiency also is found on these products:
- Computers
- Computer displays
- Printers
- Light bulbs
- Telephones
- Televisions
- Smart Thermostats
- Air conditioners
- Ceiling fans
- Furnaces
While there are many more products that offer the label, these 10 products could be the most common that homeowners upgrade to decrease the energy use in their home.
Energy-Efficient Computers
Many employees work from home. Their computer might be active nearly all day. Choosing energy-efficient computers, though, could help homeowners decrease energy waste when using these devices. Computers with the ENERGY STAR label use 25 to 40 percent less energy than standard models.
Energy-Efficient Computer Displays
While some homeowners use a laptop computer, others have a PC with a separate display. Choosing an energy-efficient display can help add to the energy efficiency of the home. Displays featuring the ENERGY STAR label bump energy efficiency by seven percent.
Energy-Efficient Printers
Printing copies might not be as popular as scanning and emailing a document, but many printers feature a scanner. These printers, scanners and copy machines can help homeowners save 35 percent (compared to the energy use of standard models).
Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Lighting the home burns through electricity and money. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, lighting the home accounts for slightly more than 10 percent of the home’s energy use.
Choosing energy-efficient LED bulbs could help homeowners save on energy costs. These bulbs emit less heat and also last longer, too.
Energy-Efficient Telephones
Many homeowners have ditched the landline in favor of smartphones. Disconnecting from the landline might allow these homeowners to save on monthly costs. However, for those who still use a landline, an ENERGY STAR labeled phone is 40 percent more efficient.
Energy-Efficient Televisions
Televisions are getting larger, and these larger screens might zap energy. An ENERGY STAR labeled television could use 25 percent less energy.
Energy-Efficient Smart Thermostats
Homeowners might only need to replace their HVAC system every few decades. A new air conditioner or furnace is an expensive purchase. However, heating and cooling the home accounts for the most energy use of the home.
For homeowners that aren’t in the market for a new HVAC system but want to help lower their energy consumption, an energy-efficient smart thermostat could provide some savings.
These smart devices let homeowners control them remotely via an app. In addition, smart thermostats can include different programs that allow the temperature of the home to be modified. For example, homeowners might nudge the thermostat higher during summer when they are at work. Using a smart thermostat could help the HVAC system work more efficiently and help homeowners use less energy to cool their home.
Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners & Furnaces
Since heating and cooling the home accounts for the highest amount of energy consumption in the home, choosing energy-efficient air conditioners and energy-efficient furnaces make financial sense. Not only do ENERGY STAR air conditioners use less energy, but they also are better for the climate.
ENERGY STAR gas furnaces can save homeowners about $30 a year on their utility bill, and oil furnaces can add $75 in savings per year.
Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans help circulate air in the home. The blade direction should be adjusted in winter and summer; during the winter, blades should turn clockwise. In the summer, homeowners should adjust the rotation to spin counterclockwise.
While ceiling fans don’t use a lot of energy and don’t cost much money to operate, homeowners can find ENERGY STAR ceiling fans. Not only do energy-efficient ceiling fans offer better motors and a more efficient blade design, but they also are 60 percent more energy efficient.
Other Ways to Embrace Energy Efficiency
Homeowners can integrate a variety of energy-efficient products into their home to decrease energy waste and help save money, too. However, bad habits also could contribute to higher energy costs for homeowners.
For those who want to cut their utility costs and decrease their carbon footprint, try to adopt these five changes:
Opt for a warmer or cooler home. During summer, nudge the thermostat higher to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, bump the heat down to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Install motion sensor faucets. These faucets automatically turn on and off when they detect motion; these fixtures help ensure that the water won’t be left running unnecessarily.
Turn off the lights when leaving a room. This is a common bad habit, but leaving the light on in a room unnecessarily just wastes energy.
Take a shorter shower. Spend less time in the shower to decrease water waste.
Close the curtains in summer. The sun provides free light, but during the summer it also provides extra heat. Close the curtains and the blinds to keep the sun rays from warming up a space.
While homeowners might know to look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for common appliances like washers/dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators, this label is on many other products. Choose these energy-efficient products to save energy and lower utility costs, too.
