The Best Weird Ways to Save Energy at Home That Actually Work

Being a grown-up is tough, especially when you are juggling an endless list of time-consuming tasks. Whether you like it or not, budget management should be your number one priority on this list. The first thing for an effective money management strategy is to focus on your household energy consumption. With current events and prices constantly rising, people need to search for the best and easy ways to save electricity and cut the cost of their utility bills.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The good news is that this task doesn't have to be boring! You can bring some excitement into your responsibilities with simple and inventive ways to save electricity and be one of these people who use creativity to boost<a href="https://uplandsoftware.com/kapost/resources/blog/creativity-stats/#:~:text=8.,and%2035%25%20for%20global%20thinking."> the country's economy</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you type in Google search &ldquo;different ways to save electricity,&rdquo; half of the results will provide costly measures that will exceed your budget and give you panic attacks. Don&rsquo;t rush to conclusions. Let&rsquo;s see what you can do for free - or almost free, with some products and activities that are cheap and available for everyone.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
This is a list of original products you can buy and lower your energy consumption:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">A heated lunchbox you can charge. A lunchbox that heats up is the best low-cost investment when you do a million things on the go. Forget about using your stove or microwave. Using your microwave for <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/oven-versus-microwave-which-uses-less-energy/">15 minutes will amount to $18.60/year</a>. With additional steps, this can generate huge savings for your household.&nbsp;</li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">A kit for dry cleaning at home. Your washing machine electricity consumption can cost you $19,92 a year, and there are several ways to lower this number. You can buy home dry-cleaning kits and use their special wipes for stains before putting the clothes into your dryer.</li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Outdoor solar lights. The market is packed with outdoor solar light options. Solar lights are easy to install, last up to 5 years, and reduce your carbon footprint. </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">A handy drying rack for laundry. You can buy a drying rack and hang it anywhere in your house. An average cloth dryer costs $0,78 per hour. Now estimate how often you use it per week and its input on your electrical bill. </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">A door draft stopper. Installing a door draft stopper is one of the best ways to save energy by getting the maximum out of your HVAC system. They don't require specific installation skills and will provide proper insulation for your house. Establish the best activities as ways to save energy for your household: </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Fast and furious showers. Reduce your shower time to the minimum water usage and maximum efficiency. You can set up contests between family members and give rewards for best-time performances. This is one of the best ways to teach kids to care about the environment and save electricity.&nbsp; </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">The Unplug game with your kids. You can use this activity with everyone in the house, not only with kids. Take 2 minutes of your day, move throughout the house and unplug the appliances you don't use. Unplugging devices can save your home up to <a style="font-family: Inter, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', serif; font-size: 16px;" href="http://about:blank/"> $100 a year</a> and educate everyone about energy efficiency. </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Piggy bank for collecting fines. Create energy-saving "laws" and a list of fines for breaking them. Put the collected money in a piggy bank and use them to pay your future utility bills.&nbsp; </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Charge your appliances at work or in public places. We borrowed this hack from students who always search for ways to save electricity and money. Take your laptop, phone, or eReader, go to a local library or shopping mall, and charge them.&nbsp; </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Get free energy inspections. Many energy suppliers provide an initial free assessment of your property and advise on better ways to save electricity. Search online for suppliers in your area, make an appointment and take advantage of free professional advice. </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1)" data-font="Times" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;,&quot;469778510&quot;:&quot;numbered&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Cooking Sundays. Instead of losing time, money, and electricity to cook daily, prepare meals on Sundays for the whole week. It's more efficient and will significantly cut your weekly energy consumption.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Creative and Affordable Ways to Save Electricity

If you want to save substantially on your utility bill, then you should invest in more expensive ways to save energy:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li>Change your lighting to LED and bet with your friends on how long it will last (Our tip - LEDs have an impressive lifespan of almost 20 years). LED lighting is 83% cheaper than incandescent lighting and should last 25,000 hours. An even better choice would be to do a lighting audit using the Energy5 app. Energy5 will provide solutions for your house's existing lighting and search for perfect replacements by calculating the saving potential. It doesn't require specific skills if you need easy ways to save energy. As a result, the lighting retrofit can save money and energy on your bills.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Buy a laptop and start earning money online. You will save energy on the desktop computer, commuting costs, and car gas prices. While PCs use an average of 60 to 200 watts, laptops use only <a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://business.directenergy.com/blog/2017/november/laptops-vs-desktops-energy-efficiency#:~:text=Laptop%20computers%20are%20often%20more,hand%2C%20are%20always%20plugged%20in." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20 to 50 watts of electricity</a>. With the rise of online job demand, you can move your work online or start a new career.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Become a 5-star person with 5-star home appliances. Energy Star appliances represent certified products that are highly energy efficient and contribute to the environment. <a class="Hyperlink SCXW179846185 BCX0" style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://www.energystar.gov/about/origins_mission/impacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">An average household can save $450 annually</a> by upgrading their home appliances to Energy Star labeled substitutes. You can purchase a new refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, thermostat, air purifier, and any other product that will help you save money and electricity.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Forget about home ghosts with motion sensor lights. Just imagine how many times a day you remind everyone else to turn off the lights in the house. Motion sensors are one of the best ways to save electricity for your entire home. They can reduce energy consumption by <a class="Hyperlink SCXW51735402 BCX0" style="color: #236fa1;" href="http://about:blank/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">35-45% and up to 75%.</a> And it's an excellent way to manage children's fear of ghosts during nighttime.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Get your money back from the government. You can take advantage of renewable energy's <a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/renewable_energy_tax_credits" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">22% and 26% tax credits.</a> This option works for solar energy systems, biomass fuel stoves, small wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, and fuel cells. Today, renewable energy is becoming more affordable, and it's the best opportunity for households to promote green energy and implement ways to save electricity.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Make your home as smart as you are. Smart home appliances are simple ways to save money and electricity. The market is full of products like smart thermostats, lights, plugs, etc. Each of these products has proven reliable and highly efficient in energy conservation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>

Make Use of Some Pricier Ways to Save Electricity

While developing creative ways and establishing the best ones to save electricity brings fun to the whole process, the reality proves that people need to take practical actions to get significant savings. On top of that, business owners should also consider different ways to save electricity with business electricity plans.&nbsp;&nbsp;
There is no doubt you care about your finances. Nonetheless, you have to develop the best energy strategy to get past the global economic crisis that will undoubtedly bring even more negative changes for everyone. Never underestimate the importance of energy savings to avoid financial troubles.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In case you don't know how to choose the right energy supplier, Energy5 can do the job for you. Now is the right time to make your energy supplier work for YOU.&nbsp;

Bonus Tip: Choose from the Available Energy Suppliers the One Who Cares About its Clients 

17 Creative Ways to Save Electricity

Make Digitalization Work for You: Install Efficient Apps and Detect Ways to Save Money on Electricity and Gas

Being an entrepreneur was never harder than in 2022. After several social and political events, small-sized and medium-sized businesses hit another wall - inflation. The increased energy and gas prices negatively <a style="color: #236fa1;" title="" href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/infographics/april2022/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">affected 73% of companies</a>, and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel except for finding the best ways to save energy.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Utility services account for <a title="" href="https://blog.sfgate.com/lifestyle/2020/08/31/its-electric-how-much-energy-does-a-small-business-use/#:~:text=How%20Much%20Energy%20Does%20the,for%20short)%20of%20electricity%20annually." target="_blank" rel="noopener">almost 19% of business expenses</a>, and that&rsquo;s why your business's monthly energy bill keeps increasing constantly. Now is the time to develop ways to save electricity and get low electricity rates.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you want to survive inflation and the energy crisis, you have to take action today. While many developments are costly, several business apps will do the job for you. Their ways to save energy will help you:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Track and optimize your energy consumption. With these apps you can monitor your business energy data to reduce expenses and detect ways you can improve to save electricity. Companies can reduce their carbon footprint, get green energy and promote a sustainable mindset, be it by changing the lighting to LED bulbs, which consume<a href="https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/why-are-led-lights-so-energy-efficient.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/why-are-led-lights-so-energy-efficient.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% less energy</a>, or upgrading appliances.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Manage your budget and monitor payments. Users can identify ways to get cheaper electricity and save money on their electric bills. One option is to check for a better energy supplier to deliver fixed-energy rates and tailor a personalized energy plan. Additionally, business owners get electronic bills, notifications about payments, and other notes on managing the financial part of energy expenses.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Prioritize ways for building business tasks to save electricity. There would never be a better chance to take advantage of new technological developments and monitor business utility expenses online than today. Forget about paperwork, Excel statistics, and financial reports. You get it all in one app and save time for important business issues.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Why Should You Search for Ways to Save Electricity?

<ol>
<li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Energy Tracker. The Energy Tracker is a user-friendly app that shows how much energy your business consumes by providing graphic charts. It has an uncomplicated design that allows you to scan your meter's data and upload it into the system with an automatic backup function on the local source &amp; Cloud. One of the app's most significant advantages is graphical analyses of electricity, water, gas, and heat per hour, day, week, month, quarter, year - up to 3 years. The app summarizes your saving potential and detects ways to save heat energy by monitoring your company's energy trends during peak periods. This app is a low-cost measure step that can help you achieve maximum energy efficiency for your company and shows ways to save money on your electric bill.</li>
<li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Energy Detector TED. TED is more than just an app. TED is a real-time monitor placed in the breaker panel that shows you different data about your energy consumption. The Energy Detector scans your business electricity circulation through the building and sends data to devices you use. It has all the standard energy app features, such as analyzing the energy consumption in real-time, providing charts that show the increase or decrease of energy usage, and suggesting ways to save energy and money on the electric bill. The wireless display shows you how much different energy appliances consume. The AI software can send notifications, texts, or alerts based on your requirements about ways to save energy and update you about the current energy consumption. You can set a budget and get a message when the energy usage increases. </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Energy Watchdog. Energy Watchdog will "sniff" your energy problems and present practical solutions for energy-saving opportunities. It scans your meter readings and displays charts with energy consumption, trends, and booms in energy during different intervals and seasonal weather changes. &nbsp; The app can compile an energy audit on bills you introduce into the system and analyze them based on various criteria. On top of that, with Energy Watchdog, you can set targets, compile multiple ways to save money on electricity, and monitor your business' achievements weekly, monthly, and annually. What differentiates this app from others is the possibility of tracing your carbon footprint and comparing the energy consumption between similar buildings. This will help business owners identify if they have irrational energy spills and what measures they can take to prevent them. </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Power Plug. In every company, employees don't pay attention to how they handle their PCs' energy consumption. As a result, half of the time, they operate in idle mode and irrationally spend energy, on average $40-$60 every year. Power Plug enables the IT department to plan your company's PC activity and turn them in Standby mode during low activity hours. You and your workers can access them remotely through a Wake-Up Portal and make them available for maintenance. You can schedule On-Demand PC Wake Up and save energy by eliminating energy spills. The best part about the app is that it reports your computer's energy consumption and where you can save energy by tailoring your computer activity time. Even more, you can reduce your business's carbon footprint by<a href="http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/article/0,28804,1602354_1603074_1603535,00.html#:~:text=Compared%20with%20a%20machine%20left,just%2063%20kg%20a%20year."> 83%</a>&nbsp; when using the Standby mode and promote a green policy throughout the organization. </li>
<li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Energy5. While many energy-related apps from this list focus on your current energy consumption and suggest saving tips to reduce the cost in the short term, the Energy5 app focuses on ways to save money on electricity and gas in the long run.&nbsp; &nbsp; It will generate a list of energy suppliers in your area and pinpoint the supplier who can give you the best electricity plan. You can choose an energy-efficient supplier by opting for a renewable energy source that will reduce your carbon footprint. The Energy5 app can make a Lighting Retrofit by performing a lighting audit for your business space. The app will analyze the information on your current lighting situation and devise efficient solutions to minimize your energy consumption with LED replacements. The reality shows that LED lighting is<a href="https://energy5.com/lighting-retrofit"> </a><a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://energy5.com/lighting-retrofit">83% cheaper</a> than incandescent lighting, and Energy5 will calculate the cost of the new fixtures, provide ways to save money on the electric bill for your business, and propose installation partners who will handle the job. Even more, Energy5 can boost your business energy conservation with their service of installing, managing, and upgrading your EV charging station with intuitive and straightforward software. In the following years, companies plan to invest <a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/white-house-says-companies-investing-700-million-boost-ev-charger-production-2022-06-28/">$700 million</a> to boost the manufacturing of EV charges. Energy5 will provide multiple ways to save money on electricity and deliver unmeasurable value to your company's green future.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Empower Your Business: Use These Top 5 Energy Efficient Apps for Low Electricity Rates

Many energy suppliers have taken advantage of the latest technologies and started introducing innovative apps that would make businesses more efficient and provide ways to save money on electricity and gas and get cheap business electricity rates.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Now more than ever, businesses should start monitoring their energy consumption and improve areas that will reduce the cost of electricity. One of the better ways to get over this crisis is to save money on electricity and gas and ensure you invest in<a href="https://www.iea.org/commentaries/what-does-the-current-global-energy-crisis-mean-for-energy-investment"> </a><a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://www.iea.org/commentaries/what-does-the-current-global-energy-crisis-mean-for-energy-investment">energy-efficient resources</a>. While investing in new energy equipment and energy audit is costly in today's crisis, these innovative apps monitor energy usage and craft ways for businesses to save money on electricity.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Energy5 app can be a turning point for making essential decisions toward achieving these goals. Analyze your data and implement the necessary steps to reduce your business's carbon footprint, especially by choosing an energy provider that can present a tailored plan with fixed rates to overcome the energy crisis and provide ways to save money on your electric bill. Don&rsquo;t let your business suffer from today&rsquo;s energy crisis - take action now.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Your Business Is in Danger if You Don’t Search for Ways to Save Electrical Energy

Ways to Save Electricity Now with Top 5 Innovative Apps for Your Business

As Energy Crisis continues to unfold, smaller businesses seek efficient ways to remedy the situation. Energy5 provides some guidance in the matter.

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Addressing the unfolding Energy Crisis is becoming disturbingly similar to the one in the 1970s when hours-long queues at gas stations were nothing surprising. While fuel shortages are becoming a global concern for just about every country on the globe, the impact the Energy Crisis has on small- and medium-sized businesses is nothing less than detrimental.
In today&rsquo;s article, Energy5 will look into the causes that triggered the Energy Crisis, its impact on businesses, and tangible solutions that have the potential to remedy the situation for your business

As we&rsquo;re writing these words, the average price per gallon in California surpasses $6. As you may know, fuel prices in California are around $1.5 bigger than in other states. The grim projections indicate that the good folks of California will end up paying more than $7 per gallon by the end of summer.
The rising and volatile energy prices coupled with the unstable condition that the global economy finds itself within all lead to creating less than satisfactory conditions for small business owners nationwide. Navigating one&rsquo;s business through the Energy Crisis is no longer merely an option but an actual necessity that requires undivided attention.
Businesses that were unable to <a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://energy5.com/compare-energy-rates">secure fixed rates</a> with their Energy Suppliers will have to brace themselves for impact, as energy prices are projected to skyrocket for the second time in the fall. A new price spike threatens to deal even more damage, so it&rsquo;s important to act before it&rsquo;s too late. After all, the short-term energy price fluctuations are just the beginning of a much bigger crisis.

The context

Energy prices affect smaller businesses

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The two years of pandemic hit smaller businesses the hardest. It affected their supply chains and resulted in a genuine shortage in labor. Business owners hoped that the Covid-19 decrease would allow them to get back to normal, but Russia&rsquo;s recent invasion of Ukraine disrupted logistic processes and had a devastating impact on oil prices worldwide.
Hence, as more businesses struggle to fill their tanks, consumers are reviewing their spending patterns and have less expendable income to afford some of the products and services, leading to an even greater crisis.
The only viable solution in this dire time of need is ensuring that your business operates in line with fixed contracts with your energy suppliers. That way, you will protect your enterprise from the rising gas and electricity costs and cut your energy expenses by up to 30%.
Granted, it may not seem like a lot, but in a time of the Energy Crisis, every dollar counts, and switching your energy suppliers is easy with Energy5.
Pick from a list of the <a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://energy5.com/our-providers">top energy suppliers</a> in your area, get your <a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://energy5.com/compare-energy-rates/business/">fixed energy rates</a>, and enjoy peace of mind by safeguarding your business from the rising gas and electricity prices.

Energy Crisis – everything you need to know

Learn about how Energy Inflation affects businesses and how you can remedy the situation today.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently shared some peculiar<a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/energy-inflation"> facts</a> on the country's rise in Energy Inflation. According to its findings, Energy Inflation in the United States accelerated to 34.6% last month alone, the most since September of 2005. With the largest gasoline (48.7%) and fuel oil (106.7%) inflation increase in history, the impact on small- and medium-sized businesses was the most detrimental.
Behind the disturbing fluctuation are two major factors affecting the supply of key commodities &ndash; supply-chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 outbreak and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which created a shortage of essential goods worldwide.
Despite the fact that the government allocated trillions of dollars to help businesses keep afloat, there's no visible end to the rise of the Energy Inflation that will apparently continue affecting enterprises nationwide.

The unfolding Energy Crisis had a substantial impact on households as well. Families countrywide spend nearly 2 times more to fill their gas tanks. The cost of energy, therefore, becomes nothing less than unaffordable.
As more Americans brace themselves for the upcoming energetic catastrophe, they minimize their energy spending to the historic lows &ndash; from 6% of their disposable income in the 1960s to around 3% as of June 2022.

The situation with residential energy consumers

Energy Inflation is particularly painful for small- and medium-sized businesses. Hence, around 75% of small business owners claim that the rising energy prices affect them in a bad way.
Nearly 90% of those also add that the Energy Inflation hurts their hiring capabilities, forcing them to raise their prices for the end consumers. Overall, almost 60% of small business owners report that the economy is much worse than it used to be just a few months ago, in January 2022.
Retaining the workforce is now even more challenging for businesses nationwide, as nearly 70% of those were forced to increase wages to retain their staff. This affected the end consumer because the prices for offered goods and services skyrocketed to fill in the budgetary gaps created by wage increases.
On top of it all, as energy prices continue to rise, businesses lack predictability and are looking for better ways to safeguard their enterprises from the impending energy crisis.
The cost of energy is driving inflation. Since energy prices account for around 1/3 of the Consumer Price increases and global events, such as Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, accelerate these processes, businesses are looking to secure their peace of mind by signing affordable energy contracts and scoring fixed energy rates asap.

The impact on businesses

***
Mitigating the impacts of inflationary shocks is an ongoing process, but if your business is looking for an immediate solution, Enerrgy5 is there to help you out.
With Energy5, your business can secure cheap and highly predictable<a href="https://energy5.com/compare-energy-rates"> fixed energy rates</a>, which will give you, as a business owner, the peace of mind you deserve!

retailAppLinkBottom

Mitigating Energy Inflation for small- and medium-sized businesses

Energy savings lie in the efficient use of energy and innovative solutions. Nowadays, many electric boilers and electric stoves are installed in most households. It is already more profitable ...

Energy savings lie in the efficient use of energy and innovative solutions. Nowadays, many electric boilers and electric stoves are installed in most households. It is already more profitable to heat water, cook food, or heat an apartment with electricity than with gas. However, it is still too expensive, so Energy5 came up with several important energy-saving tips for your household.
&nbsp;
1) Don't forget to turn off the lights. An easy and simple way that does not require any expenses is to develop a habit of turning off the light every time you leave the room. It would seem that this is quite elementary. However, many of us neglect it, so the meter winds up another kilowatt when you least expect it to.
2)Energy-saving lighting. Another easiest way to save a little is to replace conventional storage lamps with energy-saving ones. New LEDs appeared on the market not so long ago in addition to the most common fluorescent ones with low mercury content. Their advantage is better mechanical strength, durability, and independence from frequent switching operations. Among the cons is only their price, but if we consider that they can last longer, it fully justifies themselves over time.
3) Wipe the lamps. Another effective way to save money on lighting alone is to remember to wipe the bulbs from dust. Dust is capable of absorbing up to 20% of the light that a regular household lamp emits. Therefore, the next time it gets dark in your room, do not rush to buy a new lamp. Perhaps it should only be wiped from dust.
4) Follow the instructions on the appliances. Don't forget to descale the electric kettle because solid salts on its inner walls create high thermal resistance, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the heating element and, accordingly, increases its energy consumption. Also, remember to defrost the refrigerator and dust off the heat exchanger. It is worth remembering that if you put the refrigerator next to a heat source, the power consumption can increase significantly since the device will be forced to work in a forced mode to maintain the set temperature. A good share of consumption is due to idle-ing appliances or in-house equipment. For instance, nobody uses a PC during the week, but it&rsquo;s switched on the whole time. Adjust the sleep/hibernation modes on PC and Monitors to achieve greater efficiency.
5) Get energy-saving devices. Everyone knows that leaving the charger in the outlet means paying extra money, even if at that moment we are not charging the phone or other gadget. So all electrical appliances or chargers continue to consume electricity, even if we are not using them. That is why, without worrying about an unplugged electric kettle, TV, or microwave, you can purchase special electronic devices with a timer. So, for example, you can install such a timer-outlet, having previously set the necessary algorithms, on the boiler, and it will work only for a set period. Therefore, it will not uselessly consume your electricity, emptying your wallet. Bare in mind - energy-saving devices still require regular maintenance. Otherwise, it just washes out all the benefits. For example, refrigerators still need to be defrosted once in a while to help them 'breath' properly and work efficiently.
6) A-class household appliances. Classes indicate efficient use of energy from A to G. Class A features low energy savings. It is worth remembering that energy-saving appliances consume much less energy. In addition, the difference in electricity consumption can sometimes reach up to 50%. Today there are also devices of the A+ and A++ classes, in which the energy-saving possibilities are even greater.
7) Smart meter. Did you know that in some states, tariffs at night are about two times lower than during the day? That is why it is worth installing smart meters, which will help save money on paying for electricity and reduce the likelihood of emergency blackouts. Such a device will provide you with the data needed to analyze the consumption and take the appropriate action.
8) New technologies. In the era of advanced technology in the construction industry, there is such a thing as a smart home. Smart home technology aims to provide a resource of security and safety with the help of high-tech automated technologies. However, if you cannot install the entire smart home technology set now, you can use at least its elements here and there. So, for example, you can remotely control some of your electronic devices and turn on the air conditioner in the summer before you come home, or in the cold season, reduce the temperature of the electric battery when no one is at home. You can also take advantage of natural light and wind by installing solar panels on your home or wind turbines.
9) Make minor repairs. With the help of minor repairs, it is possible to modernize your own home, thereby reducing energy consumption. So, for example, light wallpaper and painting the ceiling in delicate colors will help reflect up to about 80% of the sun's rays in the room. The darker the color, the less light they reflect, and therefore you will need more electricity to illuminate the room.
10) Install heat-reflecting mirrors. A fairly large amount of electricity is taken by heating devices that we use in the cold season. Therefore, you can install heat-reflecting mirrors in your home, which will help raise the temperature in the room by several degrees.

<ul>
<li>Refrigerator &amp; freezer - 150 kWh &amp; 90 kWh per month accordingly;</li>
<li>PC (fully functional/idle) &nbsp;- 0.06&ndash;kWh per hour &amp; 0.001&ndash;0.006 kWh per hour accordingly;</li>
<li>Dishwasher - 1&ndash;2.17 kWh per load. FUN FACT: using the dishwasher is much more sustainable than washing the dishes by hand. The amount of water used and kcal needed to warm it is much more efficient than washing it by hand;</li>
<li>Microwave oven - 0.12 kWh per 5 min.</li>
</ul>
At Energy5, we care about your energy efficiency and do our best to facilitate greater energy savings for yourself and your household. Of course, the best and most effective way to save on energy would be switching your energy supplier and benefitting from the numerous advantages the Deregulated Markets offer. However, our energy-saving tips will also help you decrease the ever-growing electricity bill, so make sure you follow our blog for more tips, tricks, and recommendations that will ease the stress on your wallet!&nbsp;

How much energy do various household appliances use on average per usage?

Save on electricity: 10 simple and effective tips for residential consumers

Alex Ward, Energy5 Business Development Manager, is one of our company’s shining stars

Meet <a style="color: #236fa1;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-ward-189a3478/">Alex Ward</a>,<a href="https://usenergysolutions.us/"> US Energy Solutions</a> and Energy5 Business Development Manager.
Alex runs an entire team of qualified sales reps, training them, and helping the whole Department spread the word on the amazing prospects of EV Charging and<a href="https://energy5.com/compare-energy-rates"> Energy Procurement</a> possibilities for consumers looking to make the most from their energy efficiency.
For Alex, every day is a new challenge. Back in college, he played as a quarterback, leading a team of over 100 people - a position that carved the leadership skills he now uses to set his trainees up for success!
"The best salespeople are experts on every step in their process." &ndash; says Alex. "That&rsquo;s why I pick the brain of our in-house electricians to be able to convey to the customer all the technical specs and details they may not understand.&rdquo;
For Alex, there&rsquo;s nothing more important than knowing that the chargers he leveraged for the customer will become part of the growing EV Charging infrastructure and pave the way to a greener and more sustainable tomorrow. He believes in the amazing opportunities that Deregulated Markets bring to energy consumers nationwide and is always ready to lend a helping hand to businesses looking to switch their Energy Suppliers and save on energy online.
&ldquo;He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.&rdquo; &ndash; this quote by Muhammad Ali is a motto that Alex lives by. A calculated risk-taker is the best way to describe his charismatic persona.
At Energy5, we&rsquo;re thrilled and honored to have people like Alex on our team, working for the greater good of our amazing communities!

Employee Highlight - Alex Ward, Business Development Manager

If your business is largely based on product shipping, odds are, you are no stranger to running warehouses with all the stock packed and loaded, ready for distribution among the customers. 

Most such business owners immediately commit the simple mistake of neglecting the need to optimize their warehouse energy consumption or simply forget about it. Generally speaking, on average, energy bills take up to 15% of all operating costs within most distributional warehouses:

Thankfully, Energy5 has you covered. We&rsquo;ve compiled a quick list of tips you could use to minimize your warehouse energy consumption, save more on energy and streamline your expenses:
&nbsp;
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Insulate the place. If you&rsquo;re the warehouse owner or looking to conduct your distribution in the same locations for years to come, insulating the walls and doors could be a potentially good idea. The average warehouse size is now about 185 thousand square feet. It uses about 6 kilowatt-hours of energy per square foot. Some studies indicate that successful insulation would potentially save up to 35% of all energy expenses. It&rsquo;s a good option if you&rsquo;re looking into the long run and how your business can save more in the future.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Install better lighting. For a space covering 185 thousand square feet or more, having incandescent or halogen lighting is simply unacceptable. It requires way too much maintenance, its lifespan is way too short, and the amounts of energy it consumes are staggering when compared to the modern LED alternatives. Lighting and heating costs summarize 75% of all energy expenses in an average warehouse, so carrying out a lighting retrofit seems like a good idea that will pay itself off in the long run. Besides, LEDs require nearly zero maintenance and are far longer-lasting than their traditional counterparts (on average, an LED may function 5-25x times longer). Also, switching from standard incandescent lamps LEDs might reduce required lighting energy by 80% to 90%.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Don&rsquo;t forget the HVAC maintenance. A clogged HVAC system will eventually result in thermostat changes. Even if the air in the warehouse is two-degrees warmer because of dusty HVAC filters and rusty parts, it may lead to a substantial increase in your utility bills. Annual maintenance will help you keep your HVAC in mint condition, thus helping you mitigate the possible energy expenses and keep them at the minimum.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Find a better deal on gas &amp; electricity. Don&rsquo;t forget - the Deregulated Energy Markets give every energy consumer a chance to control where they&rsquo;re getting their gas &amp; electricity from. The Energy Industry landscape is constantly changing, with new players eager to enroll in the already-crowded market. There&rsquo;s a high chance you&rsquo;ll find another supplier that will provide you with a lower energy tariff, allowing you to spend less by cutting your utility bills. Just remember - looking for a new supplier on your own is way too time-consuming and confusing. It&rsquo;s best to use a tool like Energy5 to find all locally available suppliers, compare existing rates and make the right call.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lights off. Unless your warehouse is not running 24/7 distribution for customers nationwide like Amazon, there&rsquo;s a pretty big chance that it gets into the idle mode every once in a while. Monitor these occurrences and use whatever info you can gather to keep the lights running only when it&rsquo;s absolutely necessary. Installing motion sensors in areas that don&rsquo;t require lighting all the time is also a good idea.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

If your business is largely based on product shipping, odds are, you are no stranger to running warehouses with all the stock packed and loaded, ready for distribution among the customers.&nbsp;
Most such business owners immediately commit the simple mistake of neglecting the need to optimize their warehouse energy consumption or simply forget about it. Generally speaking, on average, energy bills take up to 15% of all operating costs within most distributional warehouses:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">On average, nonrefrigerated warehouses in the US use 6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 13,000 Btu of natural gas per square foot annually.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Refrigerated warehouses, on the other hand, consume an average of 24 kWh of electricity and 9,000 Btu of natural gas per square foot per year.</li>
</ul>
Yet, even the seemingly unapparent upgrades could lead to substantial savings - both in the mid- and long run.&nbsp;

We&rsquo;ve covered the basics, so now it&rsquo;s up to you to use this information wisely. Cutting your energy bill to save on energy is a wonderful idea that carries long-term perks for your business. Try it, and we&rsquo;ll continue updating you on the best energy management practices in the business.

Lower energy bills for distribution warehouses

Staying competitive in the modern-day fitness arena requires refining the services offered. After all, the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) reports that 1 in 4 Americans has a fitness club or gym membership. Furthermore, the number of fitness center visitors in North America has increased by 27% in the last two years, reaching 74 million people.

Staying competitive in the modern-day fitness arena requires refining the services offered. After all, the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) reports that 1 in 4 Americans has a fitness club or gym membership. Furthermore, the number of fitness center visitors in North America has increased by 27% in the last two years, reaching 74 million people.&nbsp;
On the other hand, according to the International Sports Science Association (ISSA), opening a gym franchise will set you back a small fortune &ndash; somewhere between $100 thousand and $1 million.&nbsp;
The only way to increase a gym's revenue by 25% to 95% is by increasing member retention. That&rsquo;s why more gyms switch to the 24/7 access model providing fitness enthusiasts a chance to get their blood pumping any time they feel like it.
Needless to say, such gyms use a lot of energy. On average, bigger fitness establishments pay for electricity as much as $65-70 thousand every year.&nbsp;
Sure enough, it all puts quite a strain on any gym owner&rsquo;s budget. Today&rsquo;s energy crisis and market volatility prove time and again that effective energy management can save you a pretty penny.

Even if the electric bill has started to get on your nerves, don&rsquo;t rush to switch your HVAC system off. Sure, it&rsquo;ll help lower energy consumption but won&rsquo;t benefit your customers in any way. On the contrary, your sweat-drenched gym-goers will avoid your establishment altogether. A balance is needed when considering the impact some energy-efficient decisions will make on the customers who want to train in the most comfortable conditions possible. Even if you think this or that decision will have a longer-lasting impact on your energy bills and the environment, you should convey this idea to your customers. Inform them about the benefits of lower energy consumption, sustainability, and eco-friendly solutions. It would create goodwill for the business and connect your enterprise with other companies promoting greener and cleaner energy management. This blog aims to help gym owners take the necessary actions to reduce their energy consumption and thus save on energy.&nbsp;

Setting priorities straight

<ol>
<li>Upgrade your lighting. Modern gyms take up quite a lot of space. According to the ACSM book authors, the average fitness-only facility is 42,402 square feet, while the average multipurpose facility is 70,368 square feet. That means lighting alone eats up a solid chunk of your budget. If the gym&rsquo;s lighting consists of traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs, switching to energy-saving LEDs would cut the bill substantially since LED lights consume up to 80% less energy and require little to no maintenance over their extended lifespan. To determine what kind of an energy upgrade your gym requires and figure out the project&rsquo;s costs along with ROI, we recommend using Energy5&rsquo;s Lighting Retrofit tool. It&rsquo;s intuitive, easy to use, and allows you to carry a successful LED retrofit pretty much on the go - <a title="" href="https://energy5.com/lighting-retrofit." target="_blank" rel="noopener">LED retrofit</a></li>
<li>Switch your energy supplier. Now, more than ever, using the perks of the Deregulated Energy markets seems like a great idea. Some businesses can save up to 45% per year by switching their energy supplier. It means that anyone could potentially save on energy by finding the right deal on gas &amp; electricity that would cut the energy bills nearly in half (depending o the type of business). Seeing how an average 24/7 gym consumes as much power as a small-time manufacturing line, even the slightest lowering in tariff would eventually lead to greater financial sustainability. By the way, you can compare and switch your energy supplier online with Energy5&rsquo;s Retail Energy tool - designed to streamline the entire experience, making it accessible to anyone with a phone in the pocket - <a title="" href="https://energy5.com/retail/compare-energy-rates." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Switch your energy supplier</a> </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Turn gym equipment off when possible. An average gym that&rsquo;s not offering anything over-the-top consumes about 150 kWh in a single day. Some of the pressure on the grid comes from those cardio machines - electric bicycles, treadmills, and whatnot. Chances are, you have more than a few dozens of those up and running at any given moment. Well, keep in mind that, statistically speaking, one in four avid gym-goers claim that they&rsquo;re feeling uncomfortable when doing cardio exercises right next to each other. Most people will choose to run on another treadmill that&rsquo;s not that close by another sports enthusiast. This brings us to our main point - don&rsquo;t switch all the equipment at once and leave it running 24/7. Turn it into a habit to switch the unused machines off every now and then throughout the day. Manage that issue according to the peak visiting periods. Sure, it needs a thought-out approach, but it helps you keep your electric bill at bay.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Choose central heating over electric heaters. An electric heater will cost twice as much as the money you will spend on energy when connected to central heating. If the upgrade seems unlikely, pick a thermostat and turn it down a degree. It could save up to $135 a year on energy bills. What seems like an insignificant saving may be combined with other steps you took to lower energy consumption, making a substantial impact in the long run.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Equip your changing rooms with motion sensors. That&rsquo;s how you&rsquo;ll control the electricity wastage when no one is around in the lockers. The lights will go on only when needed and add a few bucks to your savings charts.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

TOP 5 tips & tricks

Though most gyms already did so, we&rsquo;d add a pretty good perk - going paperless since it brings greener values into the gym and facilitates a quicker transition to eco-friendly digital solutions. Still, it&rsquo;s more about going green than bringing actual savings. However, one could argue that getting rid of all the printing equipment could be deemed a way of saving a buck or two.
At Energy5, we&rsquo;re passionate about bringing tangible software solutions devised to minimize your energy consumption, lower your gas &amp; electricity bill and lead to a more sustainable, carbon-neutral tomorrow. Follow our tips and enjoy the great energy savings from month one!

Improving your gym’s energy efficiency to save on energy

Climate Change is as real as they come. There's simply no other way of putting it. Unfortunately, some people and even those with the power to rule still view climate change as more of a probability…

Climate Change is as real as they come. There's simply no other way of putting it. Unfortunately, some people and even those with the power to rule still view climate change as more of a probability than an imminent threat that jeopardizes life as we know it.
It's somewhat absurd how governments prefer to neglect this issue and invest little to no effort to minimize their carbon footprint and join the net-zero pledge. Even the notorious COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow that was supposed to set a clear goal of achieving "net zero" by 2030 as the only viable way to slow down the global catastrophe turned out to be a massive failure. Most countries refused to adopt even the slightest changes or went for minimal adjustments that wouldn't prevent the disaster.

The long-term human-caused global warming trend continued in 2021. In fact, 2021 and 2020 combined were the warmest, least snowy winters in the history of observations. With the current warming tendency of about 0.2 &deg;C (0.36 &deg;F) per decade, humanity is closer than ever to losing the hope of ensuring a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow for future generations. Such seemingly insignificant temperature change would have a truly detrimental impact on biodiversity and ecosystems:
<ul>
<li>The extinction of many insects, plants, and vertebrates;</li>
<li>Extreme weather events, forest fires, earthquakes, and tornados;</li>
<li>Many biomes would even shift from one biome type to another.</li>
</ul>
In 2021, we witnessed extreme precipitation and flooding within the span of only a few months. These took place in England, Russia, China, New Zealand, the U.S., Indonesia, Uganda, Germany, to name but a few. Moreover, Japan, Ireland, Turkey, western North America, and England suffered greatly from abnormal heat waves, which killed more than a thousand people in the Pacific Northwest alone. With that said, the latest projections for reducing the emissions are less than satisfactory. It's estimated that the emissions will be lowered by only 7.5% by 2030. In comparison, a 55% decrease is required to achieve the 1.5 &deg;C reductions that would help slow down global warming. Too many countries don't have the right climate adaptation plans, too many governments overlook these troublesome climate changes, and too many corporations refuse to slow down production in favor of making a positive environmental impact. At this time, we find ourselves in desperate need of pushing ourselves toward carbon neutrality in every way possible. This is what the recently released Netflix film "Don't look up" is all about.

Earth is basically on fire…

"Don't Look Up" is a satirical sci-fi film directed and produced by Adam McKay for Netflix, one of the largest and most influential streaming services in existence. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. The two play astronomers in a desperate attempt to warn society about a comet that will inevitably destroy all life on the planet.
One would have thought that such a catastrophe would mobilize the government and unite everyone to handle the threat and stop the apocalypse from happening. The harsh reality is much less optimistic. The government tends to care only about the forthcoming elections. Madam President, played by the brilliant Meryl Streep, and her lackey portrayed by Jonah Hill are much more concerned about their ratings than some comet. The media seems to set all the wrong priorities as well, laser-focused on some pop diva's personal life instead of going out of its way to warn people about the terrible fate that's about to consume them all.
The approaching doom is a factual reality, yet no one seems to care too much about it. Everyone and their mum are far more concerned about the funny internet videos and latest hi-tech gizmos produced in bulk by relentless corporations.
The scientists are shocked by the fact that people are passively waiting for their doom and barely lift a finger to change something about the impending catastrophe.

The harsh reality

What starts out as a hilarious comedy soon turns into a grim prediction, a satire mocking humanity's attitude toward climate change that's happening right here and right now. After all, scientists from all over the globe have long since proven that global warming is no joke or work of fiction. It is a planetary threat that puts our very existence in danger. The facts speak for themselves:
<ul>
<li>In 2019, global carbon emissions from industry and fossil fuels reached nearly 37 billion metric tons. &nbsp;While the numbers decreased by 5.8% in 2020 due to COVID-19, they skyrocketed again in 2021, with most countries lifting the strictest restrictions and getting back to normal operations.</li>
<li>Practice shows that reducing emissions and growing the economy simultaneously is more than possible. For instance, 19 countries representing 20% of the global emissions (Aruba, Barbados, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, the U.K., the U.S., and Uzbekistan) managed to demonstrate certain successes at moving toward the net-zero pledge without putting their economic growth at major risk. However, their efforts are still not sufficient enough to be successful.</li>
<li>The last 7 years were the warmest in the history of records. It clearly shows that our impact on climate change continues to increase, and there's no light waiting for us at the end of the tunnel.</li>
<li>By refusing to reduce our carbon emissions, we're putting as many as 1 million species at risk of utter extinction. We're talking about half of all amphibians, thousands of species of plants and animals that go extinct at an alarming rate. At this rate, by 2050, we'll lose up to 50% of all species on Earth &ndash; a tragedy that cannot be fixed.</li>
<li>The impact of climate change on human lives is just as detrimental. Over the last decade, the intensity of forest fires has increased tenfold, with 2 million acres of land burned out completely in 2021, in California alone. Furthermore, the frequency of high-intensity hurricanes has also increased significantly over the last 30 years. Climate change is literally shifting seasons, with summers becoming longer and much warmer, even in the most unexpected corners of the globe. </li>
</ul>

An ingenious commentary

It really is no accident that Leonardo DiCaprio plays the central role in this clever satire motion picture. After all, throughout his entire career, he has been known as an outspoken advocate for environmental issues. In 1998, when he was only 24, Mr. DiCaprio established an actual foundation aimed at safeguarding the planet's last wild places and facilitating a more harmonious relationship between human society and the natural world.
For quite a while now, DiCaprio has been making every effort to help spread the word about global warming and mitigate its detrimental impact. With "Don't Look Up," the actor apparently wanted to summarize everything that's currently wrong with our society and its careless attitude toward a potentially catastrophic event that may well destroy the entire planet.
While the end for the planet in "Don't Look Up" was imminent, it doesn't have to be like that with global warming. Each and every single one of us can contribute to minimizing our carbon footprint and reducing the levels of emissions to a minimum by following just a few simple guidelines:
<ul>
<li>Turn off unnecessary lights;</li>
<li>Take shorter showers;</li>
<li>Unplug unused electronics;</li>
<li>Switch to a laptop instead of a PC;</li>
<li>Don't use energy-draining appliances;</li>
<li>Unplug and defrost your freezer regularly, etc.</li>
</ul>
You can learn more about some of the energy-saving tips for both businesses and households by reading our previous blog entries:
<a style="color: #3598db;" title="" href="https://energy5.com/blog/top-10-tips-to-boost-your-business-energy-efficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TOP 10 tips to boost your business&rsquo; energy efficiency</a>
<a title="" href="https://energy5.com/blog/top-10-energy-saving-tips-from-energy5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TOP 10 energy-saving tips from Energy5</a>&nbsp;
<a style="color: #3598db;" title="" href="https://energy5.com/blog/save-on-electricity-10-simple-and-effective-tips-for-residential-consumers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Save on electricity: 10 simple and effective tips for residential consumers</a>&nbsp;

The time to look up is now

At Energy5, our end goal is to help businesses all over the country reach carbon neutrality. We call it &ldquo;become a CNB (Carbon Neutral Business). We work tirelessly on developing software solutions that enable our users to gain full control over their energy management by switching their suppliers, upgrading to eco-friendly LEDs, or opting for EV Charging Stations on their premises to drive the positive changes within the energy industry landscape.
"Don&rsquo;t Look Up&rdquo; is an excellent satire that gets less funny by the end of the movie, when you realize that you weren&rsquo;t watching a comedy but rather a clever commentary on everything that&rsquo;s wrong with the world right now. It&rsquo;s in our best interests to put every effort into making sure that the events described in the movie would never happen. In the name of the future generations.

"Don't Look Up". Lessons to be learned from a clever sci-fi satire.

If you’re looking to save on energy, the first thing you need to do is lower your electricity consumption. However, this will be pretty tricky to accomplish, devoid of a solid understanding of ...

If you&rsquo;re looking to save on energy, the first thing you need to do is lower your electricity consumption. However, this will be pretty tricky to accomplish, devoid of a solid understanding of everything that&rsquo;s written in your electric bill.
With nearly 4 thousand electric utilities in the US (not to mention the cooperatives operating on the same scale), there are thousands of ways to read your bill, and it&rsquo;s important to understand the terminology and its practical applications.
At Energy5, we realize that it may be tricky to figure things out on your own. That&rsquo;s why we wanted to take a quick glance at your electric bill and set those rates straight. We highly recommend you have that bill close by as you go through our list to get a complete understanding of what we&rsquo;re talking about in this article. The final energy cost relies heavily on the rate type indicated on your bill.

By far, the most straightforward and easy to understand on our list. That&rsquo;s one of the reasons why people refer to it as &ldquo;Simple.&rdquo; The scheme goes as follows &ndash; the utility simply charges the consumer $0.xx per kilowatt-hour. Granted, certain incidental variables may be added to the formula, such as sales taxes and whatnot, but generally speaking, a Fixed Rate should go like this:
<ul>
<li>kWh used: 3,200</li>
<li>Rate per kWh: $0.1111</li>
<li>Calculation: 3,200 x $0.1111 = $355.52</li>
</ul>
Expert hint: If you&rsquo;re looking to lower the fixed rate as much as possible, try switching your energy supplier. Energy5 gives you unprecedented freedom of choice, allowing you to benefit from Deregulated Markets and switching to the supplier you prefer within the very least amount of time feasible. 
Also, you might want to switch to energy-efficient LEDs that consume up to 80% less electricity and feature a longer lifespan - from 5 years to several decades. Energy5 offers a simple and effective way to perform a successful LED retrofit on your own, eliminating the need for a lighting expert.

Fixed or Simple Rate

Some utilities aim to control their peak demand fully, and that&rsquo;s why they charge more throughout the peak usage periods. Through that, they motivate the consumers to approach their usage in a more thought-out manner to conserve as much electricity as possible and implement the Demand Response policies (meeting the grid's needs during limited times when energy demand is highest). Generally speaking, there are two major peak usage periods - in the morning and in the evening. They should go something like this:
<ul>
<li>8 AM &ndash; 10 AM</li>
<li>5 PM &ndash; 8 PM</li>
</ul>
The exact time may vary from utility to utility, depending on when the electricity demand is the highest. Furthermore, certain utilities may have more than one ToU period, which largely depends on their ability to deliver power.
One must also keep in mind that some utilities divide the peak demand periods into subcategories:
<ul>
<li>Off-peak demand</li>
<li>Mid-peak demand</li>
<li>Peak demand</li>
<li>Critical peak demand</li>
</ul>
Needless to say, the prices vary accordingly. Off-peak is the cheapest period whereas Critical peak will be the priciest one.
ToU rate plans imply the installation of smart electric meters. Their purpose is to monitor the consumption throughout the day and send all the data to the utility to bill the consumer accordingly.
Expert hint: balance your electricity consumption accordingly to make the most from off-peak demand and lower your energy usage during the peak demand period.

ToU (Time of Use) Rate

While this rate is aimed at servicing commercial and industrial entities, you may still encounter it in certain residential bills. While the Demand Rate itself is a cog in the bill, it&rsquo;s the defining cog that makes all the difference. The rate itself will be accompanied by a lower kWh charge which is subsequently added to the Demand Charge. The Demand Charge helps utilities balance the expenses for delivering electricity throughout peak times. The Demand Charge is therefore added to the standard tariff.
Simply put, the Demand Charge relies on the biggest amount of electricity used during the 15-60-minute intervals along the billing period. So what is that peak demand? Well, if you&rsquo;re using your washing machine and your microwave separately, it results in a different picture than if you would use them simultaneously. Combining the electricity they are consuming when switched on at the same time over 15-60 minutes, you will get yourself your peak demand. In such a case, you will be billed many times more than usual.
On the other hand, if you would use those appliances separately and at different times, you would reduce the peak demand and significantly cut your energy costs. Moral of the story? In case your electric bill includes the Demand Charge, it&rsquo;s best to ensure you&rsquo;re using your appliances wisely, without ever being charged extra for the peak demand.

Demand Rate

Seasonal rates are nothing new for the industry as a whole. The time of the year (winter, spring, summer, fall) affects the electric bills accordingly in certain utilities. Naturally, both winter and summer are the most expensive since people require more energy throughout those seasons. Producing the power also costs extra, and that&rsquo;s why some utilities put that financial strain on the consumers.
***
At Energy5, our ultimate goal is to help our users save on energy and boost their energy efficiency. The first step to doing that would be through understanding the nuances of the Energy industry as a whole and its peculiarities, such as your electric bill, in particular. Energy5 gives you the one-of-a-kind opportunity to benefit from a full range of energy-saving services. Whether you wish to switch your energy supplier to get the best deal on the market or perform a successful LED retrofit for your home or business, don&rsquo;t hesitate to get in touch. We&rsquo;re always happy to help!&nbsp;

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