Staying home doesn’t have to be boring – or costly!
Luckily there are a multitude of activities and actions to take to help a household remain healthy and energy efficient. Here are some tips to decrease power usage with families staying home.
Warm or cool your home naturally by opening blinds and windows to let the sunlight in during sunnier times of the day. When it gets cold try to use heaters less and instead bundle up with extra clothing layers or blankets if possible.
Get some spring cleaning done. Appliances and other technological devices use less energy and run more efficiently when they are clean, dust-free and clear of debris. So clear the clutter, get organized or just dust an appliance you have not cleaned in a while. Check out our money saving tips for better ways to clean and use your appliances.
Wash your clothes in cold water and skip the dryer by using a clothesline to let clothes air or sun dry or simply use a hanger to air dry clothes inside. Try to use your washer in the early morning (before 6am), midday (10-2pm), or later at night (after 9pm) to avoid peak energy usage times (for more information visit our time of use rates blog). Also try to wash dishes by hand and skip using the dishwashing machine for a while.
Use the grill or BBQ and cook food outside. When cooking food indoors try using a slow cooker or crock pot when making your meals. For people who like to meal prep, making a few meals at one set time or day can help reduce energy use throughout the week. Even using a microwave instead of using the stove or oven can help a household use less energy.
Bring back some classic/old-school activities. Instead of watching TV, playing video games or using a computer try these fun alternatives. Play a board game, do a puzzle, read a book, draw, plant a garden (indoors or outdoors), paint, do a home scavenger hunt, build an obstacle course, build a blanket or pillow fort, or play hide and seek. The possibilities are endless.
Keeping home and staying healthy does not have to be boring or filled with electrically necessary devices. There are many ways to keep having fun and keep your home energy use from increasing. Still have more questions? Contact Team Sungenia!
Sungenia’s mission is to make the solar process as simple and honest as possible, provide the best solution, and to make as many happy friends as we can.