Why is energy efficiency important

EU authorities are talking a lot about improving energy efficiency as many countries try to make the most out of whatever energy source they have.

This means that even public buildings, such as hospitals, have to lower their power consumption.

Users at home are no exception either and officials always recommend switching to LED lights and lower the ambient temperature in the house to save significant amounts of power.

But these are just a few of the ways we can do better with regards to reducing the strain on the energy system, while helping the environment, as well.

Easy steps to improve energy efficiency

One of the first steps to consider, if you haven't already, is to change your incandescent bulbs with LED ones.

LED lights are not only 75% more energy efficient, but they also last about 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs, while emitting the same amount of light, if not potentially more.

Also, if you have a laptop and especially a desktop, instead of putting it into sleep mode or activating the screen saver, turn them off.

This applies especially if you plan to leave your computer unused for a longer period of time, such as overnight or if you leave for work.

Another thing to consider is, if don't need all the power modern computers can deliver, opt for turning on low power mode to restrict the processing power, thus reducing power use.

At the same time, try to unplug electronics that you don't use often, such as the microwave oven or the printer.

Instead, only keep them plugged in while you use them, as any electronic device that is plugged into the socket will sip some power, even if unused.

As a bonus, if you have multiple devices that you don't use often connected to the same power strip, just flip the switch to "off", so you don't have to physically remove them from the socket one by one.

Another thing to remember when it comes to improving your energy efficiency is that you can turn off the lights when you don't need them, as it can be tempting to keep them on just in case you will return to a particular room.

Another thing regarding light, try and make the most of the natural light you get from outside, as this may remove the need to switch the light bulbs on, making your house even more energy efficient.

Other ways to improve your house's energy efficiency

Check if your doors and windows have a tight enough seal, as you can be wasting significant amounts of energy on heating or cooling down a house or a room that doesn't have an airtight seal.

One way you can check for any possible leaks is by holding a candle on the edges of a door or a window and if it starts flickering at some point, you might have an improper sealing, which will cause heat and cool air to escape.

When washing your clothes, try to use a lower temperature setting, such as 30 degrees Celsius, unless you need a specific one.

This way you can save important amounts of power, while your wash cycle is also going to be shorter and your clothes, likely just as clean.

Buying newer appliances, the key to great energy efficiency

Not everyone can afford to buy newer, more energy efficient appliances, but if you can spend some money on new electronics, do so, especially if the ones you already own are significantly older.

This way you not only improve the energy efficiency and subsequently lower your power consumption, but you will likely get a much better and up to date experience with regards to features and capabilities that can make your life easier.

If you have control over it, try and reduce the ambient temperature in your house, as this way you will save significant amounts of energy, while you won't necessarily sacrifice too much on the comfort side.

EU officials currently recommend setting a temperature of around 19 degrees Celsius in public buildings and even encourage household users to do the same as a great energy saving measure.

Same goes during summer, when you want to cool your house down, try not to abuse too much of the air conditioner, as it can be unhealthy and elevate your energy bill more than you might expect.

It might seem like a hassle when appliances can do it for you, but try to dress appropriately for winter and summer.

Despite the initial discomfort, you will save quite a bit of money in the long run and you will not need to dress up as much as you might think during the cold months.

What's more, with every degree Celsius that you cool or warm with the help of electronics, energy consumption can increase with 6 to 8%.

These are just a few things you can apply in your daily life in order to increase your home's energy efficiency and save the environment, while making the power grid work less.

Energy efficiency should be a concern to all of us, whether we are affected by the energy crisis or not, as it benefits our wallet and the planet.