4 Unconventional Energy-Saving Methods that Actually Work
Discover unconventional yet effective methods to save energy and reduce your utility bills. This article presents expert-backed strategies that go beyond the usual tips, offering unique approaches to energy conservation. From unplugging Wi-Fi routers to implementing smart retrofits and living roofs, these insights provide practical solutions for both homeowners and renters.
- Unplug Wi-Fi Router for Energy and Sleep
- Smart Retrofits Slash Rental Property Energy Costs
- Living Roof Cools Home Office Naturally
- Smart Plugs and Natural Cooling Cut Bills
Unplug Wi-Fi Router for Energy and Sleep
One unconventional energy-saving trick I tried—and still do—is to unplug my Wi-Fi router at night. It started as an experiment during a personal challenge to cut down on unnecessary energy use, but it ended up saving more than I thought.
At first, I was skeptical. The router doesn't use a lot of power, right? But over time, I realized two things: first, the small energy savings added up monthly, especially when combined with other tiny changes like unplugging phone chargers, printers, and unused appliances. And second—unexpectedly—it improved my sleep. Without the temptation to scroll endlessly at night, I started winding down earlier, which in turn boosted my energy during the day.
It wasn't just about the electricity bill, though, which did go down slightly. It changed my habits. I became more mindful about digital boundaries and energy consumption in general. I realized that energy saving doesn't always mean buying fancy devices or going off-grid. Sometimes it's about choosing to disconnect—literally and figuratively—and seeing how even small changes can have a ripple effect in your life.
Smart Retrofits Slash Rental Property Energy Costs
We got the idea for RentMexicoCity.com from Singapore's Keppel Bay Tower, which retrofitted a 20-year-old building and cut energy use by 30% without tearing it down. That way of thinking made us rethink how we handle energy in older rental units without having to spend a lot of money.
We worked on making small changes that would have big effects. The first thing was to put motion and daylight sensors in all of the common areas, like hallways, staircases, and laundry rooms. The lights only turn on when someone is there, and they change based on how much natural light there is. That alone cut the cost of shared electricity by 45% in just six months.
Next, we added smart microcontrollers to all of the AC units that learn how tenants behave. They only turn on full cooling when someone is home, and they adjust based on the weather outside. This one change cut cooling energy use by 22% without making it less comfortable.
We also borrowed from Keppel Bay's "green lease" style. We created an energy agreement between the landlord and tenant. We send out a short report every month that compares how much energy each unit uses. Tenants began to compete to see who could save the most money, and we didn't have to remind anyone to turn off the lights.
These inexpensive upgrades saved an average of 18% on electricity across 50 units, which is about MXN 4,500 per unit per year. That means we paid for the entire upgrade in less than nine months. And because tenants didn't have to change their habits, they remained satisfied.
Keppel Bay Tower taught us that saving energy on a large scale doesn't have to be costly or disruptive. For us, the key to success has been small tech, smart feedback loops, and sharing wins. We're now adding new units to the model, and our goal is to cut the portfolio-wide cost by 40% in two years.
Living Roof Cools Home Office Naturally
Yes, I've tried a few unconventional energy-saving methods, and one that surprisingly worked was switching to a "living roof" in my home office. I installed plants on the roof as part of a small-scale green roofing project. The idea was to provide natural insulation, and honestly, I wasn't sure how much it would actually reduce energy use. However, after a few months, I noticed a decrease in my cooling costs during the summer. The plants helped regulate the temperature inside by absorbing heat and providing shade. While it wasn't a cheap upfront investment, the long-term savings have been significant, especially with how much less I need to run the air conditioning. I've also found it more calming and aesthetically pleasing, which was an added bonus. It's an unconventional method, but it's one that worked better than I expected.
Smart Plugs and Natural Cooling Cut Bills
Unconventional energy-saving methods can sometimes yield surprising results. While turning off lights and unplugging appliances is a common practice, exploring less traditional strategies has helped uncover even more ways to reduce energy use.
For example, I started using smart plugs for devices like my microwave and TV, which significantly reduced phantom loads. These are instances where energy is still being consumed even when the device appears to be off. I also experimented with optimizing my cooling setup by allowing cool outdoor air to circulate in the evenings instead of relying solely on air conditioning. This method of using outside air kept my space comfortable and noticeably lowered my bill.
I experimented with using natural light more efficiently, placing plants in cool indoor spaces, and running appliances during off-peak hours. These simple changes noticeably reduced my energy usage. As a result, I saw a drop in both energy consumption and monthly utility bills.
