This article was written March 15 2022
Energy issues
Record-breaking low temperatures overwhelmed the electrical grid in Texas. California continues to go through blackouts during heatwaves. Holes in our supply chains are becoming more pronounced and leave us vulnerable. The rise of electric vehicles will increase our reliance on grid power. The number of renewable energy sources we use to produce electricity is rapidly advancing. While promising less environmental toll, these emerging technologies rely on unpredictable weather patterns. How can we protect ourselves against an energy crisis?
See our other article: Preparing for a power outage
The more complicated energy problem caused by Russia
The European Union receives 40% of its fuel from Russia.
In 2020, the top five crude oil producers and their world market percentage share were:
- United States 15%
- Russia 13%
- Saudi Arabia 12%
- Iraq 6%
- Canada 5%
Removing 13% of the world’s market share of oil could be disastrous to the world’s economy. One of the side effects could be trouble providing enough energy to heat homes in the short term, especially for the European Union.
What can we do to help ourselves while also limiting Russia’s ability to profit from this?
Reduce energy usage by increasing efficiency
A penny saved is a penny earned
Energy efficiency is the best of both worlds for both the energy producer and the consumer. Unlike many capitalistic ventures, power plants do not want a higher demand than they can supply. Power plants cannot operate at 101%. They want you to reduce electrical consumption.
Your local electric company’s website may have a rebate or efficiency page. It’s not uncommon to see moderate rebates being offered for upgrading to more energy-efficient devices. Your state may also offer rebates.
Possible rebates include:
- HVAC system
- Solar
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Electric vehicles/charging stations
- Programmable thermostats
- Lighting
- Windows
- Insulation
- Toilets
Even commercial buildings may qualify for rebates.
To find rebates in your area try the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder. Energy star also has a list of energy-efficient products.
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Ways to insulate your home
Did you notice how many of the rebates focus on temperature control? There’s a reason for that. Climate control accounts for nearly 50 percent of a home’s utilities!
Use the blinds or curtains
Let the sunlight in during the winter and keep the sun out in the summer. You can open or close the blinds or curtains based on which side of the house the sun is on too. You can buy insulated curtains or even window quilts.
Stop the draft coming in under the door
Placing a blanket or towel in front of a door can prevent a lot of cold air from coming in. They make some prettier options you can find online or at your local craft fair.
Line windows with plastic or bubble wrap
Sealing your windows with a layer of plastic can significantly reduce the cold air that comes into your house during the winter. This works especially well for old windows. A layer of bubble wrap helps add heat. There is information available online about ways to use both.
Block off rooms that aren’t being used.
There’s no reason to heat or cool rooms nobody is using. Close the doors and vents to these rooms.
Insulate your outlets
You can buy foam insulators to make a tighter seal if you notice a draft coming through your light switches and outlets.
Seal gaps and cracks
Insulate the spaces between your basement and the next floor. Use spray foam insulation on cracks and gaps between the interior and exterior of your house. Check especially around windows and spots where electrical and water outlets leave the house. Add weatherstripping to doors and garage doors.
Every season money-saving tips
Open up windows
Turn on an attic fan or use a fan to blow through a window. Circulate air through the entire house by pointing one fan into the house and another fan out of the house on opposite ends or sides of it. Box fans work best for this.
Circulate the air from the basement up to your floor
Basements can offer a break from the heat in the summer and a bit of natural warmth in the winter. Set your system to circulate the air from your basement to your first level.
Another option is to turn your basement into a home office or a game room.
Change your air filter
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow lowering the efficiency.
Layer up or down for the temperature
There are obvious limits to this, but adding some slippers and a sweater can go a long way in the winter.
Adjust the menu
Bake food when it’s cold. Make a sandwich or salad when it’s hot. Break out the cold snacks, or make some smoothies to cool off on a hot summer day. Grill outside during the summer.
Tips for saving money in the summer
Turn up the AC
Turn up the AC a few degrees and run the ceiling fans at the same time. You won’t notice the difference.
Fans can feel wonderful
Ever been to a third-world country without AC? It’s hard to appreciate a good ceiling fan until you’ve had to go without AC. They’re amazing.
Open the windows if it’s a cooler evening
If the overnight temperatures will be cooler, open the windows and use those fans. Use the whole-house fan if you have one. Close the windows back up as soon as the temperatures begin to rise and close the blinds as well.
Use a pool to cool down
Pools can be a great way to cool off any time of day.
Use the clothesline
This natural solar and wind-powered technology will leave your neighbors jealous of how much you’re saving. You won’t be heating your home up just to dry your clothes. Plus, your clothes will last longer too!
Bake late at night or early in the morning
The temperature outside will be cooler so your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to cool the house down.
Use the dryer and dishwasher early in the morning or late at night
If you’re trying to save as much as possible, consider when you run your dishwasher. All that heated water will heat your home too. Just like cooking, doing it in the morning or evening means the AC won’t have to work so hard. The same goes for your dryer and its heat.
Tips for saving money in the winter
Run your dryer vent into your home
It’s a shame to see all that nice warm air being sent straight out of a home in the middle of winter. If you have an electric dryer, swap to an indoor dryer vent and enjoy laundry just a little more.
Get a fish tank
Have you always wanted fish and needed a good excuse? A fish tank can cut down on the static electricity in your home and eliminate the need for a humidifier. The water is great for your garden when you change it too.
Plug the shower drain
You already paid to heat the water. There’s no reason to let it go straight down the sewer. Plug the drain and let that hot shower water heat the rest of your home. It’ll add some humidity as well!
Buy a wood-burning stove
Wood-burning stoves can help you warm up twice! Once chopping the wood and then again burning it.
In a traditional fireplace, much of the heat is lost up the chimney and offset by the cold draft the fire pulls in. Add a fire insert to increase your efficiency.
Ways to reduce water consumption
Toilets
High-efficiency toilets use 1.3 gallons of water per flush. Toilets made before 1994 use as much as seven gallons per flush! Not only will you be saving three to six gallons of water off your bill each time you flush, but your water service will appreciate you as well! Upgrading to a new efficiency toilet can save up to 6,000 gallons of water a year.
Sinks, etc.
Use low-flow aerators.
Don’t turn the faucets on full blast when a little will do. Turn the water off while you brush your teeth. Use a small cup to rinse your mouth.
Don’t run the water to wash or rinse your dishes. Scrape them first, then put a little water in the sink to do the job.
Most newer dishwashers just need the junk scraped off the plates before being loaded. Don’t run that dishwasher until it’s full either.
Newer dishwashers can be more efficient than hand-washing dishes. New high-efficiency dishwashers can use as little as 2 to 7 gallons of water for a full load.
Showers
Once again, use lower flow aerators. You can even purchase showerheads that allow you to turn off the water after you get wet. Soap and wash up, then turn it back on to rinse. Take brief showers, not baths. They use less water.
Washing Machines
Most front load washers use less water. If you are like my mom and still prefer a top load with an agitator, either do full loads or set the water level appropriately. A side note here: Speed Queen is still made in the USA, comes with a good warranty, does a good job washing, and has automatic load filling.
Water Barrels
If you live in a place that allows them and you garden or grow flowers, water barrels can save a lot of water.
Reduce your food bill
Start a garden
Gardening can cut down significantly on your food budget. Fresh food tastes fantastic. You’ll know exactly what fertilizers were or were not used on your food, too. If you don’t have the space in your yard, check out container gardening.
Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk can cut down on costs. Be careful though, not every bulk item is cheaper per ounce. Some stores will show you the price per ounce.
Shop high and low
Stores often place higher-priced items right at eye level. Be sure to look up and down while you’re shopping. While you’re at it, check out the ads. The front page usually has the loss leaders. They will be the best deals- if you use those items. Don’t buy food you won’t use!
Buy generic
Many generic brands are just as good, if not better than the name brand. They are typically made by the same people and labeled differently. Name brands spend a lot of money on marketing and advertisements, and so far, you can’t eat ads. At least not yet…
Eat your leftovers!
You can save a ton of money by simply not wasting the food you already have.
Ways to reduce your gas bill
Inflate your tires
Inflating your tires can increase your fuel efficiency by 3%. At four dollars a gallon, that’s 12 cents of saving for every gallon. Check your owner’s manual or the side of the driver’s door for the correct inflation rate.
Drive more efficiently
Accelerate slowly, lower your driving speed, properly maintain your vehicle, make sure your gas cap seals properly, and replace the air filter.
Turn the AC off
Skip the AC and roll the windows down instead at slower speeds. Turning the AC off can save one to two cents every minute your car is running.
Reduce the weight
Removing 100 pounds from your vehicle can increase your fuel efficiency by two percent.
Combine Errands
Instead of making multiple trips, do all your errands at one time. This also helps cut down on impulse buying when you shop since you will go out less often.
Bike
Biking is the most efficient form of transportation. It’s also one of the healthiest exercises and is just plain fun. Add a basket or toss on a backpack to do your next errand run.
Walk
Walking is another excellent way to get some exercise. This tried and tested form of transportation predates the invention of the wheel.
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What fuel should I store for disasters?
Fuel storage during an energy crisis
During an energy crisis or fuel shortage, stocking up may be the first thing you think to do. There are some things you should know first, though.
Common fuel life expectancy
Fuel shelf life is an important consideration when storing fuel for emergencies. Some fuels work much better for long-term storage.
Gas
Gasoline does not have a long shelf life. Normal gas will perform best if used within three to six months. Ethanol-free gas stores more reliably than regular gas.
Adding fuel stabilizer to gas before storing it can extend its storage life up to one to three years.
Pick up a siphon
During an extended power outage, your five-gallon can of gas is likely to run out. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an easy way to use some of the 8-25 gallons sitting in your vehicle?
You can thread a siphon into your vehicle to use it as an emergency reserve. Be sure to leave enough in your vehicle for emergencies and refueling.
Heating oil
If you use heating oil for your home, it has a shelf life too. It lasts for 18 months.
Propane
One fuel that stands out as one of the best fuels for disaster preparedness is propane.
Propane does not go bad or degrade. It will store as long as your propane tank will hold it making propane an ideal long-term energy backup solution.
Energy Production
Unfortunately, digging an oil well and putting up a refinery is a bit impractical for most of us.
In a long-term energy crisis, renewable energy sources will be the easiest way to have power without relying on oil reserves. For short and medium-term outages or supply bottlenecks, fuel, generators, and battery backup may work best.
Generators
Some generators are dual or even tri-fuel, making them even more versatile.
Battery power
It’s recommended to keep 3-14 days’ worth of food on hand at all times in case of disaster. My recommendation would be to keep 3-14 days’ worth of power for your cellphone on hand as well!
Many cell phone towers have backup power. It’s one of the reasons I like to keep extra power banks for my phone.
Want to get serious about communicating during a power outage? Check out our ham radio or grid failure articles.
Pass the ham radio test quickly with these free resources
Solar
If you’re just looking to charge a phone or two, the implementation can be quite easy. A small panel can get you a little juice to partially charge your phone, or one medium-size panel can keep the devices up and going.
Powering your home will require a lot more panels. Thankfully, the price has come down drastically, making this dream much more achievable. If you’re comfortable with electricity and DIY projects, you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself (if you do it correctly).
Solar isn’t without its cons, though. The sun obviously doesn’t always shine. Solar panels produce much less electricity in the shorter days of winter, and storing that electricity in batteries is still an expensive upgrade.
Wind
A small wind turbine can add a bit of variety to your renewable energy source.
Learning to live without during an energy crisis
As prices increase during an energy crisis, you may need to cut back on creature comforts. The most efficient way to save fuel, electricity, and other resources is to not use them in the first place.
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