It seems like the news is always telling you that you need to cut down your energy consumption or the world is going to end. Climate change is constantly a concern, and while one household might not make much of a difference when it comes to saving the planet, many households together could. Here are five ways to cut down on your energy usage in your house.

Alternative Energy Sources

How much electricity does a space heater use on average? Do you know? Most space heaters use about 1,500 watts. After some math using average energy costs, it can be concluded that running a space heater for most of the day will typically cost you about $3.36. That doesn't sound too bad, right? Well, using solar power, that cost can decrease even further. Solar power is more accessible to the average person than ever, thanks to companies like Vivint Solar. If you're looking for a cleaner source of energy that can also save you money, solar power might be the right choice for you.

Phantom Energy Sources

Little do most people know, but your appliances can still be running and consuming energy even when they're turned off. Not all appliances are entirely dormant when you have them switched off. Some treat off mode as more of a standby mode so that they are always ready to be switched on at a moment's notice. To combat this loss of energy there are two things you can do. One is to simply unplug all your electronics when you're not using them. If that's too much of a hassle for you, you can also run all your electronics through a power strip and turn the power strip off instead of unplugging the individual appliances.

Unnecessary Appliances

Most things that people use electricity for today are things that were done for hundreds of years without electricity. For example, clothes dryers, while handy, are not necessary. You can hang your clothes out to dry, just like people did in the past. Clotheslines are usually depicted outdoors, and while that is a more efficient way to dry clothes, that's not possible for everyone. If you live in a crowded city, or another area with limited space, you can line dry your clothes inside by hanging them on your shower curtain.

Unnecessary Lighting

Chances are, you use your lights more than any other electric appliance in your house, and because of that, your lights can eat up a ton of energy. So, in addition to making sure your lights are turned off when you leave a room and when you aren't using them, you should also invest in LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs are noticeably more expensive when you buy them, but they will save you a substantial amount of money in the long run. They use significantly less energy than both incandescent and CFL bulbs.

Proper Insulation

Hot or cold air can make its way into your home through the tiniest spaces imaginable. Even the cracks around your wall outlets can let in unwanted hot or cold air. This is why it is recommended that you get your home properly insulated. The cost of the insulation might seem a bit steep, but the amount of money it saves you, in the long run, will begin to add up. Make sure to include every possible area you can when insulating your home. Have a professional come and tell you exactly what you need to do to your home to make it as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

As you've seen, not only can decreasing your energy usage be good for the environment, but it can also save you money. No matter whether you believe using less energy will help solve climate change or not, cutting energy usage can be appealing to everyone. No one wants to spend money they don't have to spend. Apply some of these tips today and start living a more energy-efficient life.