20 Simple Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Energy efficiency is something that everyone can do. It refers to reducing energy consumption without compromising the quality of our home life and the services and products we use in our daily lives. While some may believe that improving energy efficiency is only possible for those who can afford expensive technologies or modifications, this is untrue.
Thankfully. You don't have to spend much money to do it. Here are easy home-improvement ideas and some small habits you can start doing today. Save money all year, get some tax breaks, and help the environment simultaneously.
1. Audit your energy consumption
A professional energy assessment can help you identify inefficiencies in your energy system and start implementing energy-saving practices. By taking these steps, you can reduce your energy bills, minimize your environmental impact, and enjoy the benefits of a more energy-efficient home.
2. Use smart landscaping
Not only can a beautifully designed landscape improve the aesthetic value of a property, but it may also help homeowners save money on their heating and cooling bills. A strategically positioned tree, shrub, or vine can provide adequate shade, serve as a windbreak, and cut down on your monthly energy costs. A typical home can cut its annual energy consumption by up to 25 percent by planting trees strategically.
3. Switch to smart devices
New homeowners want smart homes that will make their lives easier while lowering carbon consumption. Smart devices detect power usage and turn it off when not in use. Humans may forget, but smart electronic devices don't, and who wouldn't want that in their new home? Tech-enabled homes are in high demand, and adding smart devices in the space is an excellent method to boost the value of your property.
4. Make sure your home is well insulated
If you have good insulation, you can retain a lot of heat during the cold winter: heat insulation, weather stripping, and other methods. Seal air leaks around your windows, doors, floors, ceilings, attic, walls, basement, or crawl space with caulk or foam. You can do this independently or hire a professional to install it.
5. Think about getting new windows
You can also lose a lot of heat through your windows in the winter and cool air in the summer. It can be terrible for your energy costs over a year. Some older windows could be better at saving energy than you would like.
Single-pane windows and aluminium frames are much worse than double-pane windows and other frames made of vinyl. You could also tint your windows and leave your blinds open, which won't cost you a dime, to let in some light. If you're having trouble, you could hire someone to install windows.
6. Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)
If you have older light bulbs in your home, you may also use more energy than you need to. So many people are switching to fluorescent bulbs because of this. They may cost more initially, but they save you money in the long run.
See also: How do solar-powered household items make it easier to live in a green way?
They can last up to 12 times longer than a regular incandescent bulb. You can even use some fluorescent bulbs and some incandescent bulbs together. It will still significantly affect how much energy you use overall.
7. Look for appliances that use less energy
Make your home more energy efficient by buying new appliances. Look for ones with the HE logo. Energy-star appliances use less energy, and although they may cost a bit more initially, they are a much better investment. Choosing your appliances this way will save you money over time.
8. Use an appliance-monitoring device
Whole-house energy monitors have the potential to measure the amount of electricity used by your home down to individual circuits. It can measure the use of personal gadgets, allowing you to identify areas in which you can save money. Many homes save an average of roughly 10% on their power costs in the first year after installing a monitor, and more energy-conscious people can save up to double that amount.
9. Renovate your kitchen and bathroom
These rooms are often the most energy-intensive areas in a home, and making simple changes during renovations can significantly reduce energy consumption. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and fixtures, for example, replacing old, energy-guzzling refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines with newer, energy-efficient models, can help reduce your overall energy consumption. Additionally, installing low-flow showerheads and faucets in your bathroom can significantly reduce water usage and the energy needed to heat that water.
10. Reduce reliance on the grid
Generating your energy through renewable sources can significantly reduce your reliance on the grid and overall energy consumption. Many states offer incentives and rebates for implementing renewable energy solutions, making it a cost-effective and sustainable option for many homeowners.
11. Put in some shade-loving plants
With good landscaping outside your home, you can protect it from the hot summer sun and the cold winter winds. On hot days, the tree and its leaves will shield your house from the sun's rays and keep it cool enough to stay comfortable. Suppose you have been using energy-efficient appliances and sound insulation in your home. In that case, the effect will be much smaller because your home already blocks all the heat.
12. Put in a smart thermostat
A programmable thermostat is another good way to reduce the amount of energy your home uses. Set the thermostat to a higher temperature when you're away or a lower temperature in the cooler months. A programmable thermostat doesn't cost much, and you can pay for it in a few months with the money you save by using less energy.
13. Turn off gadgets when you're not using them
When not in use, printers, desktop computers, microwave ovens, and coffee makers with LED clocks that run all night use electricity. If you don't need them right away, turn them off. Even if you are away from home for a long time, try to turn off your fridge.
When you add up how much energy you will have saved by the end of the year, these small savings will add up to a lot. Also, when you're not using a battery charger, unplug it. Chargers for cell phones, laptops, and other wireless devices use much energy even when they aren't charging their devices.
14. Turn down the water heater to lukewarm
You can cut your electricity bills by making a few of these changes. First, turn your water heater's temperature to warm (around 120°F to 130°F). To wash your clothes and dishes, you don't need water that's hotter than that. Second, use showers and baths with low-flow fixtures. Third, insulate your hot water pipes, so they don't cool down as fast.
15. Tune-Up Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning System
Tune up your heating and cooling system once a year to ensure your furnace and air conditioner are working at their best, saving you money every month. A checkup for your home's heating and cooling system makes it more efficient by ensuring connections are tight, parts are well-oiled, and coils are clean. Keeping your HVAC system in good shape can also keep you from replacing your furnace, which can be very expensive.
16. Cook wisely
When cooking, a considerable amount of energy is used. Using fans to move hot air around more evenly lets food cook at a lower temperature and employs about 80% less energy. At the same time, convection ovens use about 20% less electricity than regular ovens. Pressure cookers make cooking a lot faster. Food will heat up more quickly in pots and pans with lids than in pots and pans without lids.
17. Change the way you wash your clothes
Only use the medium setting on your washer once you have a load of clothes. Save half of the water and energy with the medium setting. If the clothes aren't dirty, don't use a high-temperature setting.
Every time you use the dryer, you should clean the lint trap. Extra lint is not only a fire hazard but also makes it take longer for your clothes to dry. Before putting clothes in a dryer, you should spin-dry or wring them out. If you can, hang your clothes out to dry on lines and racks.
18. Get a water heater without a tank
Tankless water heaters, also known as demand water heaters, heat water directly instead of storing it in a tank and only when needed. They don't waste energy like traditional storage water heaters do when they're not being used. It will save money on energy costs.
When the hot water tap is on, cold water flows through a pipe into the unit. A burner or an electric element heats the water. Because of this, tankless water heaters always have hot water available. You don't have to wait for a storage tank to get hot enough.
19. Cut back on how much hot water you use
Your water heater uses a lot of energy and costs you a lot. You could take short showers instead of baths or use a water timer or shower head that uses less water. Turn down the temperature setting on your water heater. Wrapping your pipes and insulating your water heater with a water heater blanket will keep the water hotter for longer and save you money. Washing clothes in cold water makes them last longer.
20. Consider switching to solar
While there are many simple and affordable ways to improve power consumption in your home, switching to an alternative energy source is the best way to achieve long-term and sustainable energy efficiency. You can drastically reduce your reliance on non-renewable energy sources by generating electricity.
And when it comes to switching to renewable energy for the home, solar panels are by far the most common choice. Solar is an excellent option to get off the grid and start using a better source of electricity because it can power your home with just a few panels. Solar photovoltaics have made great strides in recent years, and government incentives are increasing the number of people switching to this environmentally friendly energy source.
The price of installing solar photovoltaic panels has dropped by half in the past decade, making it a viable option for homeowners who want to save money while contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
Ask us About Solar Panel Installation and Financing.
Get in touch with us for free guidance if you conclude that installing solar panels is the most effective way to make your home more energy efficient. Contact us for free advice. We will assist you in obtaining the most suitable financing plan for solar panels. We'll begin the installation process so that you can immediately start saving money on your regular power bills.