We all have a basic arsenal of energy-saving tips for around the home, but are they really making a significant impact? They could be more than you realize.

If it’s been a while since you learned about how to save energy around the home and are looking for a quick refresher, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s check out five things you may not know about saving energy at home.

You may even learn something you didn’t already know!

1.Turn Off a Fan When You’re Not Using it

A fan doesn’t use that much energy, does it? You’d be surprised how much it can add up if it’s left to blow air in a room you’re not using.

One thing you may not know about fans is that they don't actually cool the air, and the motor on the fan itself can actually add more heat to the room. This is why you need to only turn the fan on when you're in the room using it, otherwise, you could end up wasting more energy than you realize.


2. Close the Curtains During the Day

This sounds a little bit counter-intuitive, but it can actually be a great way to save on energy around the home. In summer, this trick helps keep the sun out during the hottest part of the day, which is going to keep the house cool. In winter, it does the opposite, keeping the cold out so that your home stays warm.

This way, you’ll be able to use less energy cooling and heating your home in both summer and winter.

3. Wash with Cold Water

Cold Water

Don’t worry – we’re not talking about the dishes. When it comes to washing your clothes, most of the energy the washing machine uses is to heat the water up.

Believe it or not, cold water is just as good for washing clothes as hot water is. In fact, there are a lot of washing powders out there that is designed to be compatible with cold water. Washing your clothes with cold water is going to save significantly on energy.

4. Cover Food in the Fridge

When those leftovers you’ve got in the fridge release moisture into the air, the compressor has to work a lot harder to keep them cool. If they’re covered with plastic wrap or a plate, then your fridge will use a lot less energy keeping your leftovers nice and cool.

5. Always Use Cold Tap Water

Use Cold Tap Water

Unless you’re washing the dishes, try only using cold water for other things, like washing your hands. This is because it takes energy to heat the water, so the more hot water you use, the more energy you end up wasting.

Another time you can use cold water is when you’re cooking, especially if you want to avoid lead and other contaminants getting into your water supply through the pipe.

When it comes to saving energy around the home, it’s all about the small things. Whether it’s switching that fan off when you’re not in the room or choosing cold water over hot to wash your clothes, you’d be surprised just how many ways there are to save on energy at home.