Various Methods of Conserving Energy in the Home in Portugal

Save Energy in Portugal

Published on 18th January, 2013

Portugal is a lovely country with many things to do and see. However, people who live there on a regular basis have the same concerns as many people across the world such as how to save energy in their homes. In this day of high-energy bills, people are trying to learn more ways to save energy in their homes. Conserving energy can provide the homeowner with much needed money to use elsewhere in his life. Are there places where you can conserve energy to lower your bill? Check out the list below to find out some ideas.

Turn off the lights in any room you are not using. As a child, you probably wondered why your parents would tell you this over and over again. It is because they knew it would help them keep their electric bill under control.
Unplug any appliances that pull power even when turned off such as some TVs do today.
Fill in gaps around windows or doors by adding weather stripping or redoing the caulking. Whether you are trying to heat or cool your house these gaps can be counterproductive and cause your heating and air conditioning systems to work harder thus use more power.
You can lower your water usage by installing that latest in low-flow showerheads, toilets that use less water and even washing machines that have a water-saving feature just to mention a few things. Another tip is to run the washing machine or dishwasher only with full loads. Showers also take less water than baths.
Incandescent light bulbs are not energy efficient. CFL and LED bulbs use much less energy and last long than the incandescent ones do.
Using passive ways to heat and cool your house are also energy savers. Allow the sun in your windows during the day to heat up the air in the house. This helps even more when your house is positioned right to capture the daytime rays from the sun. By doing this, you may find your heating system does not have to run as much during the day. When you need to keep the house cool, make sure to draw the drapes or blinds to keep the sun from heating the room.
Make sure your house is properly insulated. There are several methods for accomplishing this today and it is best to consult a professional.
If your windows are not double-paned ones, they should be. They provide the rooms with better insulation against heat and cold than the single-pane ones do.
Only use outdoor lighting when necessary. You can place motion sensors on most of the outdoor lights so they only light up as people approach. You can of course, choose certain lights to leave when you are not at home to make it appear you are. Do not leave every light blazing though, as this will burn access energy.
Air-drying clothes will cut down on how much you run your clothes dryer and conserve energy.

Use the above energy-saving tips and add some of your own to reduce the amount of energy you use. This will not only save the amount of energy, but also save you money on your bill. After all, when you live in a country as beautiful and intriguing as Portugal, you will want the money to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of it. If your bills are too high, you will have to sit at home.