The parts of the world that have been hit the hardest by the coronavirus have been forced to lockdown and issue a quarantine order. The effect of this quarantine on our energy consumption isn’t yet fully known; however, grid operators have confirmed that energy demand is constantly fluctuating. On the one hand, many businesses and industrial facilities are being forced to shut down, which has reduced the demand for energy significantly. But on the other hand, people who are trying to self-isolate and stay home have increased their energy usage. These two opposite actions are the main reason behind the recent fluctuation in energy demand and use that has been confusing grid operators.

Staying home for prolonged periods is bound to increase our energy consumption drastically. To avoid big bills that come with the wasteful use of energy, we have created a list of some of the most crucial mistakes everyone should try to avoid during the quarantine.

Saving Your Business 

Energy providers are always offering competitive deals and offers to new customers. Since we are spending some time away from our businesses, this might be the perfect time to take the chance and find a better energy supplier that will suit your needs. On the other hand, If you have a business that could and chose to stay open during this period, you can opt to look for other energy suppliers to save some money as your usual income would definitely be affected by the current crisis. According to experts at Energy Seek, they recommend comparing between different brokers to find the right provider and tariff that will help you save more money. Besides the deals and offers that might last from 12 to 18 months, changing to a fixed-term tariff might be highly beneficial, especially if the rumors about the post-quarantine increase in energy prices increase came true.

Overusing Electrical Appliances

One of the most common energy consumption mistakes that many homeowners are making these days under quarantine is abusing their electrical appliances. Using electrical equipment including air-conditioners, heaters, dishwashers, and dryers excessively can easily result in an unnecessary overuse of electricity. Not only will you increase your energy consumption, but you are also risking the integrity of these appliances and compromising their longevity. That’s why it’s better to limit the usage of certain appliances and turn them on when you really need it most. You can also collect and clean all the dirty dishes in one wash.

Constantly Adjusting the Thermostat

Since the temperature is constantly fluctuating these days between warmer weather during the day and colder weather towards the evening, many homeowners are constantly adjusting their thermostats. While it might be essential for your comfort, constantly adjusting the thermostat can easily wreak havoc on your residential HVAC system. This is not the only reason you might want to stick to a reasonable temperature that you won’t have to change every hour. Changing the thermostat temperature every other hour is extremely wasteful in terms of energy consumption. Alternatively, you can invest in a smart thermostat that can be programmed to meet your needs.

Forgetting to Change Air Filters

During these times, changing the air filters in your appliances might not be a priority. However, it is extremely important for preserving energy as well as maintaining the health of the household members. As coronavirus mainly attacks the lungs, it’s essential to pay extra attention to our respiratory health by ensuring that the air circulating the house is clean. Moreover, the accumulation of pollutants in your filters will overwork the furnace and affect its lifespan, forcing it to work harder to give the same expected output. This leads to a high increase in energy consumption. Most importantly, dirty filters may lead to serious health effects and can cause several issues, especially for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. That’s why it’s essential to change your air filters regularly.

Letting Outside Air In

When it comes to saving energy under quarantine, the most important step you can do is to make sure that your house is well insulated. There are several inputs to this equation. You can start by closing your windows and making sure that your door seal is properly locked to prevent your HVAC system from working extra hard to provide the same output. The next step should be checking your exterior doors and ensuring that they are weather-stripped. Inspecting your house’s insulation and perfecting it can save you from wasting up to 11% of your home’s heat. These simple steps will keep you from consuming more energy and, consequently, can save you more money.

Staying home might be boring for some people. Since we are spending more time at home, this might be the perfect time to start reviewing our energy consumption habits. Avoiding the previously mentioned mistakes will not only help you save energy and money, but they will also protect your appliances and HVAC system from taking a hit due to the increased usage.