Energy saving has been talked about for a long time, with attention paid to environmental protection. The rising electricity prices alone make it unnecessary to elaborate on the advantages of saving energy. In this article, we tell you how to save energy at home in order not only to reduce your bills, but also to do your bit for the environment.
Energy saving - why is it important?
Saving energy not only contributes to better environmental protection, but also to the health of our wallets. Environmentalists have been warning for many years about the excessive use of electricity, which contributes to global warming. Energy extraction and processing, especially from fossil sources, is also harmful to the planet. However, the latest laws related to CO2 emission charges also hit Poles' earnings. It has recently been calculated that electricity bills are rising by up to a dozen or so zlotys (in the case of a 2+2 family model). It is therefore high time to work out a plan on how to save energy in your own home.
A good way to save energy in general is to use RES, or renewable energy sources. In the case of a household, photovoltaic panels are the best option, but the cost of setting them up often exceeds the budget of many a family. Nothing lost - if you can't afford to invest in panels, there are other ways to save energy at home.
What are ways to effectively save energy?
In every room of your home - whether in the kitchen, bathroom or regular living rooms - you can find several ways to save energy. The basic principles of energy saving speak first and foremost of reducing light emissions. Simply turn off the light in the room you are leaving. It is also important to use light rationally. When there is no need to illuminate the entire room, rely on lighting from a lamp. If the lamps in your home have shades that restrict light - replace them at the earliest opportunity. Position your desk preferably under a window to benefit from daylight for as long as possible.
And when it comes to the bathroom, saving energy is not only about turning off the lights, but also about using water sensibly. Instead of taking daily baths, switch to short showers. Use the washing machine preferably on eco programmes and only when the drum is full. Washing one or two shirts for two hours is the best way to waste energy. Similar principles can be applied in the kitchen. Only switch on the dishwasher when it is fully loaded. If you don't have to, don't open the oven too often when you're baking, and when you're cooking on the cooker, cover the pots so that the food cooks faster and you use less energy. 
What should be kept in mind when saving energy?
Regardless of the room, an effective way to save energy is to use appliances sensibly, especially those that consume a lot of energy (fridge, desktop computer). Remember to switch appliances off when possible. When you have charged your phone, tablet or laptop, disconnect the charger not only from the device but also from the socket. Unplug your hairdryer when you are finished using it, as these devices continue to draw electricity even when they are not charging. And if you have a problem falling asleep while watching films, for example in front of the TV, set an automatic switch-off time so that the appliance doesn't use electricity for nothing. When vacuuming, it's a good idea to opt for power reduction. Vacuuming at the highest speed is not necessarily more efficient, but it does use a lot of electricity.
Energy can also be saved on heating. Above all, ensure that your home is properly insulated, also in terms of doors and windows. Decide to switch on the heater when necessary and remember to switch it off when you leave the house for a long time. Open the blinds during the day so that natural heat has a chance to warm up the room, and in turn close them at night so that it doesn't escape. These are simple practices that can contribute to greater energy savings.
How much energy can be saved on electronic equipment on an annual basis?
If you're still wondering how to save energy at home on appliances that you're almost always plugging in, we have a solution for you. First and foremost, give up leaving appliances in stand-by mode - this is an extremely nasty way to over-consume electricity. Another way is to use good quality white and brown goods. When buying new appliances, check the energy class. The best classes are A, B and C. Class A means the least energy consumption, and the further down the alphabet you go, the higher the electricity consumption will be.
Wondering how much you can save with the above practices? Well, unfortunately we won't give you a definite answer, because it all depends on your average annual expenditure and how much you use all your devices: how often you watch TV, cook, use your computer, etc. However, we can estimate that when you put the principles into practice, you can save up to several tens of zlotys per year per appliance.
There are many ways to save energy, and most of them you can put into practice right away. Opt for energy-efficient appliances, keep the basics in mind and you will increase your chances of reducing your electricity bill. In the process, you'll also be doing your bit for the environment.
