Efficiency is key in any survival situation — making the most of the limited resources you have will help you stay comfortable and safe for longer periods of time. This obviously applies to how you ration food, water, gasoline, medical supplies, and other consumables. However, you should also consider how it applies to your home's electricity.
Unlike the other supplies we mentioned, the power coming out of your wall outlets isn't going to run out under normal circumstances, so you might not think of it as a consumable. But if a storm or other catastrophe does temporarily knock out the power grid, it'll soon become apparent that your stockpiled batteries are finite. Even if you've got a backup generator or solar panel array, the fuel and time spent powering or recharging devices are finite resources.
If the seemingly-infinite power grid dries up, you'll soon be reminded that electricity is a consumable item.
So, it's advantageous to look at your home's power consumption and electrical efficiency before a disaster arrives. Doing so will help you determine which appliances really need backup power, and which of these critical devices can be adjusted to use less energy. This will help your battery supplies and generator fuel last longer in an emergency, and it'll also save you money throughout the year. That money can then be applied to other necessary preps.
The following infographic from Ashford Realty Group shows 24 basic ways you can reduce electricity consumption in your home. Some are fairly obvious and others are less so. Click here to download a full-size version of this infographic.
