This blog post is by Kristina Woodward.
Tackling climate change on an individual level can seem daunting, but there are ways to make a difference for the environment that don’t take a ton of time, money, or commitment—and that you can begin implementing as early as today! Improving your home’s energy efficiency is a great place to focus your time, whether you want to reduce your environmental impact, save time during your busy day, or simply pay less on your utility bills each month!
As part of The Environment for Everyone Campaign by Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC), CCAC AmeriCorps members share the most useful and impactful energy efficiency habits they use on a daily basis. Keep reading and watch the Everyday Energy Efficiency Habits Video to learn more about the impact these actions can have on the environment, your energy bills, and more!
Overview of habits covered:
- Using cold water to wash clothes
- Wearing or removing clothing layers indoors
- Using a smart thermostat
- Using low-flow showerheads
- Using solar energy
Use cold water to wash clothes: Did you know that heating the water to clean your clothes makes up 75-90% of the energy used for running the washing machine? If you switch to washing clothes in cold water instead of using hot water for each load of laundry, you could save money on your utility costs with no change in the cleanliness of your clothes. In fact, compared to hot water, cold water is gentler on most materials, so your clothes will last longer, giving you the added environmental benefit of reducing clothing waste! Skyler Amsden, CCAC Climate Action Leader at Southern Maine Community College says that her family of 8 adopted this habit and have saved a lot of money on their utility bills since!
Wear or remove layers indoors: Temperature control indoors is a necessity for comfort and well-being, but did you know that heating and cooling makes up 52% of a household's annual energy consumption? Instead of cranking up the heat or AC, try wearing layers in colder months and lighter clothing in warmer ones. Additionally, using fans can strategically cool your body without the high energy consumption of air conditioning (15 minutes of AC is about equal to 24 hours running a fan). “Instead of letting the heater heat the large room I’m in, I just focus on heating myself,” says Anna White, CCAC Climate Action Leader at Colby-Sawyer College. Focusing on personal comfort rather than room temperature can significantly reduce energy demand and fossil fuel consumption. These small adjustments can save money and lessen your environmental impact on a daily basis!
Use a smart thermostat: Using a smart thermostat can simplify managing your home's temperature and reduce energy use without the hassle of constantly adjusting heat and AC settings. Evelyn Lafferierre, CCAC Climate Action Leader at St. Lawrence University, finds her smart thermostat simple and effective, remarking, “It's something that you can set up once and not have to think about again, but it can have a really big impact.” By setting schedules tailored to your routine, you can avoid unnecessary heating and cooling, making your home more efficient and cost-effective. Many utility companies offer rebates for purchasing smart thermostats, and government assistance programs support lower-income households in adopting energy-efficient technologies like smart thermostats.
Use low-flow shower heads: Reducing hot water usage can significantly lower energy consumption, whether from washing machines or showers. Installing a low-flow shower head is a cost-effective solution that maintains comfortable water pressure while cutting down on heating needs. As Rebecca Tarczy, CCAC Climate Action Leader at College of the Atlantic states, “There’s actually a decent amount of pressure behind a low-flow showerhead. They have made a lot of improvements over the years.” By reducing water flow, these shower heads minimize the energy required for heating, thus lowering fossil fuel use and heating costs. Look for the WaterSense logo when purchasing to ensure it meets EPA standards for efficiency.
Use solar energy: Switching to solar energy, though not a simple fix like the other habits mentioned, offers substantial environmental and cost-saving benefits. It's a significant upfront investment, but numerous rebates and incentives make it more accessible. Kathryn Carpenter, CCAC Climate Action Leader at Stetson University, exemplifies this by selling the surplus energy generated by the 29 solar panels that power her home. Despite the average payback period of 7-10 years, solar panels drastically reduce reliance on fossil fuels, benefiting both the environment and household finances. Tax incentives like the Federal Solar Tax Credit further enhance affordability, allowing owners to claim 30% of their solar system costs until 2032.
The energy efficiency habits listed are not a complete list. There are plenty of other actions you can take to reduce household energy consumption, including but not limited to:
- Turning lights off when you leave a room
- Switching to LED light bulbs
- Turning down the heat/AC when you leave the house or at night
- Unplugging appliances and chargers when not in use
- Using smart power strips
- Sealing windows and doors
- Purchasing EnergyStar appliances
You can also take a look at our state-specific Energy Efficiency Manuals for more ideas and check out Energy.gov/save to research other common energy reduction habits to see where else you can improve your home’s energy efficiency!