Many of the power consuming appliances we have in our homes may not always be as necessary as we think. By not using electricity at all until it’s really needed, we can conserve huge amounts of power, reducing both costs and our impact on natural resources – and many of those natural resources are here to help us do so.
One idea, with many added benefits, is air-drying laundry. Not only does the sun and air dry laundry effectively, but it also erradicates any bacteria and smells along with it. This can be done on standing racks, or on classic clothes lines.
A similar solution can be applied to dishes. Instead of using the drying cycle on some modern dish-washers, simply open the door affect the wash cycle and allow your dishes to airdry when you’re not in a rush.
Last, but not at all least, make full use of natural light. Open curtains that face the sun instead of using heating, and close them at night to insulate instead of using a heater. This is not only for efficient temperature control, but also light itself. By making full use of natural light using windows and strategically placed mirrors, you may barely need to switch on any lights until the evening.