How to Save Energy at Home After a Newborn Baby

The arrival of a newborn can be both out-of-the-world exciting and financially overwhelming. A new baby can bring significant changes and considerable expenses for new parents. But some other unexpected expenses might surprise new parents. One of the biggest monthly shocks for new parents can be the difference in their utility bills. But it's not uncommon for new parents to see their bills skyrocket.

Why?

Here's a scenario. With a baby at home all day, you'll want to set a comfortable temperature all day since a child's sleep and mood can change quickly if the temperature is too high or too low. Of course, this means you have to keep the temperature cooler during summer or warmer in the winter than you would otherwise.

So, in case you wonder what the ways you can cut off the extra energy bill and keep energy consumption under control are- this article is for you.

Let's discuss some innovative ways to keep your house cozy, comfortable, and energy-efficient for you and your newborn.

Incorporate New Gadgets

There are hundreds of electrical appliances released every day, promising to make life easier for new moms and dads: baby monitors, breast pumps, digital thermometers, baby carriers with thermal protection, bottle sterilizers, baby swings and even milk warmers.

The questions are: how will this increase your energy consumption, and how can you control it?

First, you need to consider what items in your home can perform dual or multiple functions. For example, an electric bottle warmer may not be necessary if your microwave can do the job, too - avoid adding extra clutter on the top. Get in the habit of turning off the devices on the wall before going to bed, or install a smart electrical panel to limit the waste of "vampire" energy when not using the device. If your new gadgets are chargeable, turn chargers off at the wall when you're done with them, too. Gadgets like swings, baby monitors and sound machines can add up fast. Consider turning off, unplugging or avoiding electric devices when possible, and consider rechargeable batteries to limit the need to purchase batteries repeatedly.

Build New Routines

Life with a new baby can be unpredictable at the beginning, but there are still some essential habits you can try to save energy and make life a little easier. For example, you try to plan meals and cook several meals at once in the kitchen, which will help you use less energy. You can also consider reheating your meals in the microwave to save time and energy, and when done, unplug the microwave from the power to avoid phantom power.

If you can, run large appliances, like washers, dryers, and dishwashers, when they're fully loaded. Another new habit to develop is to check your energy consumption more often. If you invest in new equipment, always look for 6-star energy rated equipment. For example, washers with this label can use up to 25% less energy than standard models, and energy rated dryers can use 20% less. On the other hand, energy star certified dishwashers use up to 12% less energy and up to 30% less water, on average.

Take advantage of the Natural Sunlight

When you take your baby home for the first time, you may find that you are more sensitive to your home's temperature, and you may wonder if it is too hot or too cold. Blasting your air conditioner can be fascinating, but in any case, you add to your energy bill to any extent. On the other hand, staying at home all day means that you can use solar panels to perform energy-intensive tasks while the sun is shining and get the most out of your system.

You can also wash and dry your clothes in the morning, turn on the dishwasher after breakfast, vacuum while your baby is in the locker, forget everything for a moment while your baby is asleep, and enjoy tea in the sunny morning before it gets cold!

Use LED Lighting Fixtures

Lights often come on when we take care of a newborn around the clock or chase monsters under the bed.

You may not realize it, but these traditional light fixtures can be hazardous for children, even in their later years. Consider replacing hip-burnt incandescent bulbs with cool-touch LEDs. LEDs last over 10 years and are less likely to break than incandescent or CFL bulbs, which release dangerous chemicals when broken. In addition, energy Star-labelled LEDs meet stringent quality standards for light quality and longevity.

One significant advantage of LED bulbs is that LED bulbs use 217 watts of electricity, a fraction of the Watts used by an incandescent or CFL bulb. They also use less energy to produce the same number of lumens as incandescent bulbs. While LED bulbs can be more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they are an investment for saving money in the future and achieving a 6-star home energy rating.

Insulation and Baby Proofing

Baby proofing your houses which includes covering outlets, hiding cords, and moving electronic devices out of reach, can also be a great way to limit electrical appliance usage at home. As children get older, many people prefer spending time with family over electronics by choosing board games, reading together, or playing outside. The same goes for babies who love to be held and cradled when they sleep. Properly insulating your home not only reduces heating and cooling costs but also improves your newborn's comfort.

In addition, insulating your home helps resist heat flow and lowers your heating and cooling costs. Insulation also helps reduce heat exchange through surfaces such as attics, walls, ducts or roofs, so, in a well-insulated home, hot air exits the house in the winter and less cool air escapes in the summer. This can help your home provide the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling.

With insulation and baby proofing, you will save energy and spend time with your baby, who will be too old to hold in a few years. If you have, it's one of the most effective ways to cut energy bills. Sometimes you can get free or low-cost financial assistance or insulation.