3 in 1 – How to Save Energy, Money and the Planet

Who said saving the planet has to be hard? While it’s true we’re in dire need of systematic change at all levels, making small changes in your own life will go a long way. Reducing everyone’s carbon footprint is an important goal. 

How do you save energy, money, and the planet at the same time? With the average U.S. household spending over $3,800 a year on utilities, fuel, and public services, we could all stand to get 3 in 1 savings. Here are some of the easiest ways to reduce your energy usage while saving money (and the planet). 

1. Watch Your Thermostat

While you might not give much thought to the number on your thermostat during the spring and fall, it’s really important to keep a close eye in the summer and winter. During the more extreme seasons, your savings will go further. Turning up the temperature just a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter can equal big savings in energy.

If possible, invest in a smart thermostat that you can program for different times of the day. When you’re not in the house, for example, you can easily get away with changing the thermostat. Learning how to make the most of the temperature in your home makes a big difference. 

2. Choose Energy-Friendly Appliances

A lot of appliances are what’s known as “vampire energy users.” This means they drain your home’s energy even when they’re not on. Just leaving some appliances plugged in will result in increased energy costs. 

Because it’s unlikely that you have the time to unplug your large appliances every time you’re not using them, look for energy-friendly appliances. Always look for the Energy Star label when you’re making an appliance purchase to ensure you’re choosing something that won’t waste electricity even when not in use. If you run a business, you’ll need to use a tool like EnergyBot. At EnergyBot, it’s easy to make smart energy decisions. 

3. Close Your Doors

This might be the easiest tip on this list. Simply closing your doors in your home can make a huge difference. Closing your bedroom door, for example, helps your room stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Similarly, keeping your refrigerator door closed will help keep the cool air from escaping your appliance. 

Another thing to leave closed is your curtains and blinds. All of that sunlight coming in through your windows might be great when the weather is chilly, but it will just heat up your space in the warmer months. Closing your curtains will help prevent heat and cool air loss. 

4. Stop Using Bottled Water

Bottled water might be convenient, but it’s not doing anyone any good. It’s especially bad for the environment since it’s considered to be a single-use plastic. Those energy costs add up, even if you’re not directly paying them. 

Instead, invest in a quality water bottle. With the average American drinking 34 gallons of bottled water, this is a change we need to make to eliminate our plastic use. Plus, using a reusable water bottle will save you some cash! 

5. Buy a Power Strip

Finally, purchasing a power strip can help prevent your electronics from using energy when they’re not in use. Remember those vampire appliances we discussed before? This is a phenomenon that happens with just about everything you plug in, though usually to a smaller extent.

Saving money on your electric bill by investing in power strips that have a turn-off switch. This can yield big savings, and it’s also extra protection for your devices in case of a power surge. 

Make a Difference

You can easily start doing all of these tips today. They’re 3 in 1 in that they help you save energy, money, and the planet all at once. Who doesn’t want to make a difference, even if it’s just in a small way?

As we approach a world populated by greenhouse gasses, every small change counts. Let’s agree to make these small differences to save our wallets and the planet.