Technology has become a huge part of our lives and that can have both good and bad effects on our health as well as our wallet. As we make advances in technology we have energy-efficient alternatives to lots of things. Taking advantage of these advances in technology can help you save energy and money.

Changing just a few of your habits or products you use daily in your home can drastically reduce your energy usage which in turn can lower your electric costs. In this article, we will highlight just a few of the simple things you can do to make a huge difference.

Check Your Thermostat

Consider adjusting your thermostat a few degrees in the Winter and Summer, especially when you are not home. By doing this, you can save 5-15 percent every year according to Energy.gov. You might even consider a smart thermostat that can be set to a schedule to change while you are away.

Reduce Water Usage

You could save as much as $170 a year by reducing the amount of water used according to the EPA. Simple steps that can help are turning off the water when you are brushing your teeth or shaving. 

Avoid running only a 1/2 load of laundry in your washing machine. Running a full load of laundry means more clothes are washed at once and less water is used. You may also consider using cold water cycles to cut down on energy usage needed to warm the water.

Taking a shower can save water as well. A bath typically uses 30+ gallons and a 10-minute shower on average uses 25 gallons of water. Additionally, you can lower the amount of water used by installing low-flow showerheads. This simple install can cut your water usage for showers by as much as 50% in some cases.

Reduce Heat & AC Loss

You have the potential to reduce your costs in needlessly running your Furnace or Air Conditioner. Drafty windows and doors can be a big part of this. Installing a simple door sweep or adding weather-stripping around the frames to windows can make a big impact.

You can also reduce your electric bill by limiting the usage of Space Heaters. These small yet powerful heaters may help keep you a bit warmer, but they are not normally very energy efficient. Most space heaters use 1,500 watts of energy or more and will quickly cause your electric usage to go up. If you do need to use a space heater check if yours is energy-efficient and consider replacing it if not.

Increasing furnace efficiency by having your Air Ducts cleaned can increase airflow. Additionally, Pet Hair, Dust, and Debris create Allergy Issues for many people. For more information on Air Duct Cleaning go to http://old.longscleaning.com/air-duct-dryer-vents.

Replace Old Light Bulbs

If you have not done so already, consider swapping your old incandescent light bulbs. There are much more efficient and longer-lasting bulbs such as Halogen, Fluorescent, or LED. While the initial cost may be higher, swapping out the lightbulbs in the lights you use most will make a big impact to save energy.

Unplug Chargers to Save Energy

Unplugging a cell phone charger when it is not being used may not make a huge impact, but if you have multiple chargers plugged in that small amount can add up to a significant amount of wasted energy. According to the following snippet from Energy.gov

For instance, mobile phone chargers that are left plugged in after your phone is disconnected consume .26 watts of energy — and 2.24 watts when your phone is fully charged and still connected. If you start factoring in all the other appliances and electronics that are plugged in and not in use, it’s easy to see why these energy vampires could add an extra 10 percent to your monthly utility bill.