It’s 2023 and we’re ready for a fresh, new start. This year, at Arrow Energy, we’re all about creating healthier, greener habits, from eating and moving well to prioritizing mental health and leading a more sustainable, energy-saving lifestyle. Rather than going big with your goals, we’ve compiled a list of easy-to-implement habits and actionable changes to help make you make small adjustments with a big impact in the long-run. So, here is our list of top New Year energy-saving resolutions that you can start practicing today:
- If you don’t already have one, install a smart thermostat in your home. This can automatically adjust your house’s temperature based on your preferences, and will adjust on its own when you’re asleep or out of the house to reduce your energy consumption. They also provide you with data on your energy use so that you can see your daily trends on your smartphone, making it easy for you to make energy-related decisions and adjust accordingly.
- Replace your furnace’s air filters regularly. It is recommended to change them every 1-2 months. This will help ensure your heating and cooling systems run efficiently. A clean filter can reduce your energy usage by up to 15%!
- Get into the habit of closing your blinds, or get new drapes for your windows, which has the added bonus of being both aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient. Using drapes and closing blinds, especially for windows that are South- or West-facing, will help keep your home cooler for longer. If you have windows facing the North, you can leave these open as they don’t bring in too much heat, while still allowing some natural light in.
- Check your home interiors and exteriors for any cracks, gaps, or leaks. For cracks on stationary parts of your house like in the foundation or next to pipes that lead to the exterior of your home, apply or redo your caulking. For moveable components of your home like doors and windows, apply weatherstripping. This will prevent air leaks throughout your home and is a very simple and cost-effective way to help you save energy and money through more efficient heating and cooling.
- If any of your appliances are starting to break down, or if you’re ready for an upgrade in the New year, make sure you keep an eye out for ENERGY STAR appliances, which ultimately use less energy, helping you save money and the environment. ENERGY STAR appliances include kitchen appliances, air conditioners, furnaces, television sets, computers, and even lightbulbs.
- Be prepared to slay those “energy vampires” in 2023. Unplug electronics when they’re not in use, or buy a smart power strip to plug in multiple electronics. These will detect when your electronics are not in use or in “sleep mode” and will automatically cut off energy.
- Laundry is a never-ending chore, especially when you have kids. The average American household uses about 400 gallons of water per day! This year, resolve to do fewer, and fuller, loads to save water. The same goes for the dishwasher. Dedicate one day of the week for laundry rather than doing multiple loads during the week, and choose to wash your clothes in cold water, which will save you money on water heating.
This January, start working on these energy-saving resolutions. By the end of 2023, we bet you’ll see considerable savings on your energy bill while shaping a greener, more sustainable lifestyle for you and your family.