Reducing Your Electricity Use
There are many ways you can reduce electricity use in your home and help reduce your energy bills. Also, if you're interested in using a small renewable energy system to make your own electricity, reducing your electricity loads will help make your system more cost effective.
You can reduce electricity use in your home by focusing on where and how you use electricity in these areas:
Appliances and electronics
Purchase energy-efficient products and operate them efficiently.
Lighting
Purchase energy-efficient products, operate them efficiently, and incorporate more daylighting into your home using energy-efficient windows and skylights.
Electric space heating and cooling
Purchase energy-efficient electric systems and operate them efficiently. Incorporate passive solar design concepts into your home, which include using energy-efficient windows. Properly insulate and air seal your home. Select an energy-efficient heating system that doesn't use electricity.
Electric water heating
Purchase an energy-efficient electric water heater and operate it efficiently. Or select an energy-efficient water heater that doesn't use electricity.
To improve the overall energy efficiency of your home, see Home Energy Audits.