Top 10 Household Energy Conservation Techniques

Last updated on Mar 24, 2014
Household energy saving tips

We're still not there, but we're getting there. As solar and wind energy technologies continue to mature to the point where we can fully rely on them for our energy needs, coal and gas-dependent energy prices keep skyrocketing. The typical household relies on these non-renewable forms of energy, but they're quickly running out, or becoming more expensive to attain.

Besides leaving a hole in our pockets, our energy consumption patterns are damaging the environment. In order to give mother nature a break, and to help you save some of your hard-earned cash, we've compiled a list of innovative energy conservation techniques and tools that you should incorporate into your household habits.


Fill a hot water thermos with your days supply of hot water.

Every time you boil the kettle, approximately 0.03125 kWh of electricity is required and about 0.015kg of CO2 is generated. These figures may seem pretty low, but given that on average, a household kettle is boiled up to eight times a day, these figures quickly add up to 0.25 kWh electricity and 0.12kg CO2 respectively.

Another habit that is intensifying our kettle boiling energy consumption is that we rarely only boil the volume of water required. A UK study showed that by boiling twice the amount of water needed, kettle usage in the UK alone creates an unnecessary 3,525 ton of CO2 every day. To reduce the energy required (in other words, money spent on electricity bills!) and your carbon footprint, fill a hot water thermos with enough hot water for your days coffee measure. It's a simple and easy way to lower your household energy levels.


Plant a tree.

Planting a tree at the right place in your yard can reduce your household energy needs by up to 30%.

Not bad, seeing that all you will need is a fast-growing tree, and some water to keep it growing! The rest is all free, nature's services at its best. But what function does a tree in your yard serve? Positioning the tree according to your geographic location (north for the southern hemisphere, south and west for the northern hemisphere) can offer shade where you need it most. By reducing the heat pockets around your home, a tree can reduce the need for indoor cooling during summer. And if you plant a deciduous tree (trees that lose their leaves during winter), sunlight and warmth will enter your home during winter. But be sure to get landscaping advice on the specific tree that will best suit your needs, trees can grow tall and wide, so best check what your yard space allows for.

comments powered by Disqus