Winter is here, and one of the biggest dilemmas for Portuguese families is managing heating costs. So, if you want to save energy at home, consider changing some of your habits. To help you do this, we have put together some useful and easy-to-implement tips to keep your bills under control and your home comfortable this winter.
12 tips for saving energy at home:
- Air out your home - Whenever possible, air out your home. Ideally, do this every day for at least 10 minutes. This good practice allows air to circulate and also reduces humidity in your home. However, don't leave the windows open for too long, otherwise your home will lose heat and become cold. The best time to do this is during the hottest part of the day, i.e., between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Take advantage of natural heat - In addition to opening the windows during the day, open the blinds to let in heat and natural light. Keep them closed at night. The idea is to take advantage of the heat and significantly reduce the cold.
- Save energy without wasting heat - To save energy, you should maintain and conserve as much heat as possible inside your home. You should avoid drafts (only the recommended 10 minutes daily to renew the air in your home). According to EDP, 10 to 25% of heat loss occurs through windows. Therefore, whenever you open them, turn off the heaters. It seems simple and logical, but some people don't do it. If you have the windows open while the heating is on, you are wasting.
- Therefore, finding any potential “leaks” and eliminating them is the first step to take before turning on any heating. This will save energy and your wallet will thank you. Ideally, you should request an inspection from an energy company. Alternatively, you can do a simple test on your windows: hold a lit candle next to them and if the flame flickers, it means they are poorly insulated. In this case, you should repair them.
Note that you don't necessarily need the help of a professional. In most cases, simply caulking the joints with foam tape, for example, is enough to prevent heat loss. In addition, you can place heaters next to the windows. Although they do not act as insulation, they create a curtain of warm air that reduces exposure to the cold outside.
Invest in thermal insulation - You should also consider investing in thermal insulation. Although it is a high financial investment initially, in the long run, you will save on your electricity bill. On the other hand, it increases the energy efficiency of your home. In this sense, the energy certificate rises in classification, which reduces the amounts to be paid in taxes (IMI and IMT).
There are several ways to ensure good thermal insulation, depending on your financial resources. With little investment, you can reinforce the walls with materials that protect against temperature peaks, while allowing the building to breathe.
If your family budget allows, it is best to invest in quality window frames (for example, PVC instead of aluminum or wood), and opt for double glazing.
Another solution is to choose wood flooring instead of tile. The rooms in your home will be warmer and more comfortable with wood flooring or even laminate flooring, which will also help you save on electricity.
Install timers on your outlets - This device allows you to regulate the operating time of your home's heaters. Firstly, if you have a dual hourly rate, you can program the timer to turn the heater plug on/off at the most economical time for you, in order to save energy. This solution is recommended for those who, incorrectly, have a habit of not turning off electrical appliances.
“Fill” your home - Your home, like a human being, the more “dressed” it is, the warmer it gets. In other words, your home will be warmer if it is full, whether with furniture, rugs, pictures, decorative items, curtains, or other accessories. A full home is a warmer home because it loses less heat.
Save energy at home by controlling the heating - Most energy costs in winter are related to heating. So, this is where you need to make some changes if you want to save energy at home. In this regard, experts suggest:
- Avoid large temperature variations, which cause appliances to consume more energy. Did you know that 1 degree more can mean a 7% increase in consumption?
- Turn off the heating at night;
- Do not turn on the heating if there are open windows or if you are going to be away;
- For greater control, install a thermostat. If this investment is not possible, keep the temperature at 22ºC.
Choose low-consumption appliances - Another tip for saving energy at home is to choose appliances with the highestpossible energy rating. The scale ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). If you are thinking of buying a heater or replacing the ones you have at home, choose the ones that consume the least.
However, the higher the efficiency, the higher the cost at the time of purchase. Nevertheless, they allow for greater savings in the medium and long term.
Install a heat recovery unit - Another way to keep your home warm and thus reduce energy consumption is to invest in a heat recovery unit. With this equipment, your home stays warm for longer and more evenly. It can be installed after the house is built and in any space, as long as it is connected to the outside. In addition, it uses cheaper and less polluting raw materials, avoiding smoke and odors in the house.
Choose an oil heater - Like a stove, an oil heater emits more concentrated heat than an air conditioner or fan. Although it takes some time for the heat to come out, once hot, it heats the entire room evenly. Even after it is turned off, the heat remains for a long time. In addition, it does not harm the air quality in your home as it does not burn oxygen.
Other appliances that allow you to save energy at home - Among the many ways to save energy at home, how you use your appliances stands out. So, take note of the following best practices:
When choosing a television, always choose one with an “energy saving” option. If this is not possible, turn off the TV whenever it is not in use (the standby light is not enough).
Unplug appliances when they are not in use.
- Washing machines and dishwashers, however efficient they may be, should only be turned on when they are really full. In the case of dishes, program the machine to finish washing before drying and let the dishes air dry.
- The refrigerator is one of the most energy-consuming appliances in a home. Therefore, avoid opening and closing the door many times in a row. Avoid temperatures below 3ºC as they consume more energy. Do not put hot or warm food in the refrigerator;
- When ironing, iron as many clothes as possible at once, taking advantage of the iron already being hot to save energy;
- Avoid opening the oven, as each time you open it during cooking, you lose 25% of the heat;
- Use the ceiling fan you use in the summer. If you turn it on in winter, in the opposite direction, it will circulate the accumulated hot air, heating your home even more.
- Control the temperature of your bath water - If you have an electric water heater, lower the maximum temperature by a few degrees. The difference in consumption at the end of the month is not great, but as the popular saying goes: “little by little fills the chicken's crop.” If you are afraid of having cold water in the shower, then it is best to install a thermostat in the shower (you can save up to 6% energy). Finally, you can also install a water heater. These hot water storage systems are more efficient than instantaneous ones.
- In short, it is not enough to choose appliances with exemplary energy efficiency; the big change in attitude lies in how you deal with appliances and use them to your advantage, ensuring comfort while keeping monthly expenses under control.
Source: Doutor Finanças