Either because of their own ecological awareness, or because of a certain degree of personal commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or because of a purely economic issue (the price of oil is not only very high, but forecasts indicate that the price of energy resources such as gas will continue to rise as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the various economic blockades between countries), we can all take measures to improve our energy efficiency on a personal level.
Some of these measures may be well known, but it never hurts to remember them and, above all, take them into account and implement them. With most of them you can reduce energy use so you will have better energy efficiency and the bill will be reduced.
It is true that some products that are energy efficient or energy efficient cost more, but in the long run they are usually an investment because they save money in the long run.
In addition, on many occasions these investments are accompanied by subsidies and aid from public administrations.
Turn off the lights
In addition to choosing LED bulbs, which are more efficient, remember to always turn off the lights, especially those that you are not using or are unnecessary.
Prioritize natural light
Whenever possible, use natural light instead of artificial. Placing the tables well (especially if they are for study or work) near the windows can be a great help.
Regulates the temperature
Adjusting the temperature inside homes and offices so that it does not exceed the recommended limits is another of the best ways to be more energy sustainable. Moreover, the ideal is that we only heat or cool those rooms of the house in which we are going to be, avoiding having to waste energy in the rest of the rooms.
Use curtains and blinds
In addition to a decorative use, we can use the curtains and blinds to let in more sunlight in the colder months (taking advantage of this natural energy source) and preventing it from heating the house in the hotter months (which will keep the house cooler). rooms, avoiding the use of air conditioning).
windows and streams
Something very similar can be said of windows. The double is an investment that makes it easier for the heat not to escape in winter. Meanwhile, opening them in summer first thing in the morning or when the sun has already gone down, will allow us to make currents and ventilate our home.
Check doors and windows
Although the ventilation grilles are essential, making sure that the doors close well (especially those of appliances such as the refrigerator) will also prevent energy from escaping almost imperceptibly, but constantly.
shower instead of bath
Bathing instead of showering implies a greater consumption of liters of water. If, in addition, we have used the heater, the price skyrockets. This simple gesture can save about 150 liters of water a year, a good handful of euros that will stay in your pocket and a responsible attitude towards the environment that surrounds us, since water is a natural resource that is increasingly scarce in Spain.
closing of faucets
Both when washing your hands, teeth, face or after shaving, you have to turn off the tap whenever you are not using it to avoid wasting water. The industry has already taken note of the importance of not wasting this resource and there are already accessories that adapt to the tap nozzle to regulate the amount of water consumed without noticing changes in pressure.
In addition, it is also frequent, more in hotel and restaurant taps, systems that incorporate infrared sensors that detect movement and are activated. When you pass your hand over the tap, it is activated and if it does not detect it, it closes immediately.
Watch out for drips
Grain by grain is made barn. And drop by drop we end up wasting a lot of water unnecessarily with leaky taps. Just one dripping faucet wastes 1,600 liters a year, according to several studies.
pull the chain twice
The bathroom is one of the major sources of water consumption in homes, although the facilities and elements of these spaces are becoming more efficient. The new tanks save nearly 4,000 liters per year.
It is increasingly common to see a button with two buttons. One discharges 3 liters of water, it can be half of the water contained in the system. But, if both are pressed, the full amount is released, which is usually 6 liters.
On systems with a single button, the button functions as a switch. Pressing it for the first time starts the discharge of water in the bowl. However, it can be stopped, many people are unaware of it, by pressing it a second time. Thus, the amount of water consumed depends only on the user’s decision.
In addition, there is a third way to reduce the amount of water in the tanks. In many homes it is common to see weighted bottles inside these systems. This will reduce the capacity of the tank, preventing as much water from being wasted each time we use the flush mechanism.
Take advantage of the energy of the oven
The oven is one of the appliances that consumes the most energy, it is responsible for 10% of the total electricity consumption in homes. A pizza alone is not efficient, taking advantage of all the space in the oven to make different preparations is the best recipe to reduce the zeros in the electricity bill.
Also, it generates heat. So it can continue to be used to heat other foods. Instead of using the microwave, the residual heat from the oven will help warm other dishes and save energy.
Monitor the appliances
If you use it and take out the food to check its doneness, remember to immediately close the door. As with the oven, quickly close the refrigerator and freezer doors to avoid higher energy consumption.
Thaw the night before
If you have food in the freezer, it is preferable that it thaw little by little during the hours before it is used or consumed, which will avoid having to use the microwave for a process that can be done naturally.
look at the plugs
Both household appliances and other devices are becoming more efficient. But it is still a hidden consumption that we can avoid by unplugging all those devices that we are not using. This is especially relevant when you go to recharge the mobile battery, so it is not recommended to do it when you are sleeping.
clean the filters
Both in the smoke extractor hood and in the air conditioners, it is convenient (and healthy) to clean and replace the filters so that they can better fulfill their mission.
the full dishwasher
Washing with a machine, in this case a dishwasher, saves more water than washing by hand, as long as it is done with a full load. However, 90% of its energy consumption occurs during heating. For this reason, technological improvements have allowed new models that reduce energy consumption, thanks to economic programs and options where it is possible to select the temperature of the water.
wash cold
“Wash clothes in the washing machine at 30º or less instead of 60º can save up to 60% energy,” says the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU). About 80% of the washing machine’s energy consumption is used to heat the water. In addition to saving energy, programs with cold or warm water prolong the life of the washing machine.
Clothesline vs dryer
Taking advantage of the sunlight and the wind to dry the clothes after washing them is also the most traditional and ecological way. Less damp laundry is synonymous with easier and more energy efficient ironing.
Recycle or donate
Everything that we no longer use (clothes, furniture, appliances…) can be recycled or donated so that other people can make better use of these items.