During a move, it can be difficult to figure out how to reduce power consumption since you have so many other things going on. However, there are some easy ways to achieve a greener move by using less power. Let’s look at a few below.
1. Turn off all electronics
The minute you realize you don’t need an electronic device; you can shut it down before you move. This can help save power consumption because it won’t be drawing any power and once packed away, you won’t be tempted to use it again until after the move.
Unplugging and labeling cords before packing electronics will save time when setting up in your new place. This is particularly important when moving TVs, computers, stereo systems, and more. DVDs should be removed from consoles and taped shut, toner cartridges taken out of laser printers should be placed into dust-proof bags and fans padded using paper towels, bubble wrap, or similar material to reduce damage during transport.
Consider reading the user manuals of every device you plan on moving for specific instructions for disassembling, disconnecting, and packing them for transport. Finally, get transit protection coverage or add tracking features like Apple Tags or Tile to protect them against loss or theft.
2. Turn off the lights
As leaving lights on during a move is a surefire way to waste electricity and money, turning off lights in every room you are leaving is essential if you want to reduce energy usage during this move. Make a list of electronics you have along with how they're wired together so you can easily rewire them at your new place; contact the utilities provider with dates of both moves-in/move-out.
3. Camp
If you plan to stay overnight while moving, you can opt to camp instead of getting a hotel room. This will reduce the power consumption you would have used for the lights, TV, and other devices in the hotel room. Even if you use a little bit of power when camping, it can be from a portable power bank that can be charged with a solar panel.
4. Adjust the Thermostat
Before you move out of an apartment or home, make sure to adjust the thermostat. If you leave it at a normal temperature, but nobody is in the building, it will waste a lot of energy from the HVAC system. You might want to contact your landlord, if you’re a renter, and ask what temperature they prefer.
Also, if it’s winter, you may want to adjust the heat while you’re packing. You will work up a sweat and you don’t need the heat to be blasting during the packing process if you will already be warmer than normal.
5. Turn Off the Water Heater
When you move out, you might want to turn off the water heater to reduce power consumption. Of course, before you do this, you want to inform your real estate agent or the new buyers that you have done so. If you’re a renter, check with your landlord before turning off the water heater.
If you’re able to turn off the water heater, you will be able to reduce the energy being used while nobody is in the home or apartment.
These are some of the ways you can use less power when moving and make your move greener. You can also use eco-friendly moving boxes to help make your move friendlier to the environment.