Every year GO Green Office has the Unplugged campaign that aims to unplug all devices on the TU/e campus during the Christmas break to save energy. This year, we also developed a campaign to save energy in your own home! Here we present a list of low key tips and tricks to reduce your energy consumption. 

1. Unplug your chargers and power plugs

Unplug your battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or when your charger is not in use. Many chargers draw power continuously, even when your device is not plugged into the charger!

2. Ances and use a socket with an on and off switch

The energy drawn down by an appliance when it is not used can cost an average household almost €100 per year! So switch everything off when you are not using it. This can be made easier by using a socket. Devices close to each other can be connected to the socket and by pressing the on/off button on the socket, the plugs no longer draw power.

3. Add thick curtains for your windows

Thick curtains will help to contain the heat in your home. If you do not want to buy all-new curtains, you can add a cheap liner or even a PVC shower curtain. Keep the curtains open during daylight hours to let the sunlight in, but when the sun sets, draw the curtains to contain the warmth.

4. Fix drafty doors with a door snake (weather strip)

You can use common household items to create a “door snake” that sits at the bottom of your door and blocks the cold air from entering. You can also buy one pretty cheap, for example here.

5. Placement is important

Your freezer and/or refrigerator should be placed away from your stove and preferably in an area that does not get direct sunlight, to use them most efficiently.

6. Use radiator reflectors

Radiator reflectors work on a very simple principle. Your radiator radiates heat both into the room and into the wall behind it. That heat can simply be lost to the outside, especially if you have thin single skin walls. Reflectors are installed behind the radiator and help prevent heat from being lost by reflecting the heat back into the room. Want to learn how to install the radiator reflectors? Check this website.

7. Maintain your fridge

Defrost your freezer (or the freezer compartment of your fridge) at least once a year. Just 2 mm of ice means the appliance consumes 10% more energy. Regularly dust the radiator located on the back of your appliance to save even more energy.

8. Check your lightbulbs

LED’s are the most energy-efficient bulbs available and will save you money on your energy bills as they use less energy. Nowadays LEDs are the most common bulbs available in the stores, so make sure to swap to more energy-efficient lighting!