A lot of energy is used in our homes, and also in commercial buildings. Studies show that the energy we use in buildings is responsible for 35% of global emissions. This also makes it the largest greenhouse gas contributor. The main reason for this is that a lot of countries still use fossil fuels to produce energy. By burning fossil fuels, carbon is released into the atmosphere, which leads to climate change.
Our global average individual carbon footprint in 2020 was 6.3 tons. By the year 2030, scientists recommend lowering it to 2.1 tons. So saving energy at home can help us achieve this goal.
To start saving energy, then it really is up to us. Of course, we would see faster results if the governments started to make changes, but overall, everyone has an impact.

To start saving energy, we should build more energy-efficient homes. Energy efficiency means that we use less energy in order to do the same task, but we still get the same result. Energy-efficient homes use less energy for heating, cooling, and overall electrotechnical appliances. Energy efficiency is one of the biggest factors in how we can achieve net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide.
If we become energy efficient, then it helps us to save money. It also makes the electricity grids last longer. It has environmental, community, and health benefits.

The easiest thing that everyone knows is to turn things off. But it doesn’t just mean that you turn off the light when you leave the room. It also means that if you’re not actively using your TV, computer, cable boxes, stereo systems, and so on, then you should also switch them off. Also, just unplugging is an option, because if you see a light from your device, then it means that they are still using energy. A thing that a lot of us don’t know is that the chargers, when they are plugged in, even if they are not charging anything, still use energy. So if you are too lazy to unplug everything, then the option is to use power strips where you can unplug everything at once.
The next option is to change all the light bulbs you use to smarter ones. LED bulbs cost around $5, and during their lifetime, they can save you more than hundreds of dollars. LEDs use 85% less energy to produce the same amount of light as incandescents. LED bulbs also come with a wider design option. The other good thing about LED bulbs is that they reach their brightness immediately, and you can also dim the light with them.
The next tip is to use the exact amount of energy you need. For example, don’t use the dishwasher if it’s not full. When you use the kettle, boil the exact amount of water you’re going to use. When using the washing machine, you can often use colder water. Of course, for the dirty clothes, you still need to use warm water. You can also check your refrigerator’s temperature. They don’t need to be that cold to preserve the food. The ideal temperature for your fridge would be 4 to 5 degrees Celsius and for your freezer, -15 to -18 degrees. One of the biggest energy consumers is the clothes dryer. It consumes as much energy as the refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machines combined. For this, the solution is easy: whenever possible, air-dry your clothes.
If you’re going to buy new gadgets for your home, do it smartly. One thing to look for when shopping is the energy star label. The devices that are marked with the star usually use 10 to 40% less energy than other similar devices. For example, in the U.S., some states offer discounts if you buy more energy-efficient products. For example, when you need a new computer, consider buying a laptop, not a desktop version. Laptops use a lot less energy. Also, when you have decided to get new devices for yourself, you should recycle the old ones. For example, if your old phone, laptop, or TV still works, then sell it, donate it, or there are also buy-back programs.
When it comes to energy use, then pick a supplier who produces the energy with renewable resources. For example, they could produce energy using solar, wind, hydroelectric, or geothermal power. Another, but also a more expensive solution (at first) would be to produce your own renewable energy. For example, if you produce your own energy for heating, hot water, and electrical supply, it saves on carbon emissions, and you can also sell the extra electricity back into the grid. The most typical way to produce your own energy is to use solar photovoltaic panels. The prices for solar panels have steadily decreased, and there are also grants and incentives if you want to install solar panels in your house. The other option, if you have some land, is to install a ground-source or air-source heat pump. Both of these solutions are effective and energy-efficient over a long period of time.
In an average American household, there are so many gaps between windows and doors that they make up a 90-cm-by-90-cm hole in the wall. Over half of the energy, we use in our homes is used for either warming or cooling the house. If the house is uninsulated, then more than a quarter of the heat leaves through the roof. Around 15% goes from the floors, and the rest goes from the windows. To stop the heat and cool waste, there is an easy solution: seal and weather-strip all these places where the air leakage occurs. Add to your door’s ‘sweeps’. They can stop the cool and warm air from entering or escaping from your room. You can also benefit from better insulation on the roofs, floors, around the water pipes, and so on.

In conclusion, energy-saving at home has two major benefits. It helps to save you some money, and it also has a huge impact on the environment. It only takes you to make some small habit changes in your daily life to start the change.

Sources:
https://www.un.org/en/actnow/home-energy
https://www.energy.gov/eere/energy-efficiency-buildings-and-industry
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/easy-ways-save-energy-home
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/climate-change-what-can-you-do-help/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58967580
https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/households/save-energy-and-money/top-10-energy-saving-tips
https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2020/03/how-to-save-energy-at-home