September arrives and with it the famous "cost" that we all know: back to school, new expenses, routines that come back to tighten ... and, of course, the electricity bill that continues to give scares every month. The good news is that spending less electricity at home is possible with some changes in habits, small tricks and, above all, making smart decisions in the medium and long term. In this article we tell you how to reduce your electricity consumption without giving up the comfort of your home.
Keep in mind the importance of being aware of your energy consumption. Before starting with practical tips, it is important to be clear about one point: the electricity we use at home has a much higher cost than we usually think. We're not just talking about the bill at the end of the month, but also the environmental impact it has. Sometimes we are not aware of how much energy we waste through carelessness: lights on in empty rooms, appliances running at half load or chargers plugged in all day. The key is to identify these small gestures and change them.
Changing the lighting, a simple first step. One of the easiest changes you can make at home is to replace all traditional light bulbs with LEDs. This type of lighting consumes up to 80% less and has a much longer lifespan. At first glance, it may seem like a bigger investment, but it will pay for itself in a very short time. In addition, make the most of natural light: raise blinds, draw curtains and organize your spaces so that you do not depend on artificial light during the day.
Household appliances, the great protagonists of the bill. The refrigerator, the washing machine, the dishwasher or the oven are responsible for a large part of the electrical consumption of any house. Adjusting the way we use them can lead to considerable savings. Try to always run the washing machine and dishwasher full, use eco programs and avoid opening the refrigerator every few minutes. It is also important to check the energy label on appliances: the more efficient they are, the less you will spend.
Beware of "phantom consumption". Surely more than once you have left chargers plugged in or the television on stand-by. This silent consumption, known as "phantom consumption", can account for up to 10% of the monthly bill. The solution is as simple as unplugging what you don't use or installing power strips with switches that allow you to turn off several devices at the same time.
In air conditioning, every degree counts. Air conditioning and heating are two of the systems that consume the most electricity. Regulating the temperature well is key: in summer, it is advisable to keep the air between 24 and 26 degrees; in winter, the heating should be between 19 and 21. Raising or lowering the temperature by one degree may not seem like much, but in the bill it can translate into up to 7% difference.
Saving on electricity
Changing habits is a real saving. Beyond technology, saving electricity also depends on our routines. Ironing in one go instead of doing it in several batches, cooking with a lid to take better advantage of the heat or even using the microwave instead of the oven are simple gestures that add up at the end of the month.
All these tricks help, but if you really want to notice a significant change in your bill, the best investment is to install solar panels. In a place like Mallorca, where the sun is a resource we have in abundance, taking advantage of photovoltaic energy is synonymous with long-term savings. You turn your roof into a source of clean energy, you reduce your dependence on the electricity grid and, in addition, you contribute your grain of sand to the care of the environment. Although it requires an initial investment, more and more families are discovering that it is a decision that pays for itself in a few years.
Roscam
The "September slope" can be made less steep if we start to control our electricity costs at home. Changing light bulbs, monitoring the use of electrical appliances, regulating the air conditioning or avoiding phantom consumption are simple gestures that, together, have a real impact on the bill. And if you want to make the definitive leap, solar energy is the best ally to spend less electricity at home, save money and live in a more sustainable way.
In Roscam we have been helping homes and businesses in Mallorca to optimize their installations and bet on self-consumption for more than 20 years. If you want to take the step and start saving, we will be happy to advise you from day one.