Increasing the energy efficiency of your house is a great way to lower your environmental impact and save money on energy bills. There are numerous approaches to this, both large and small.
Here are some pointers:
- Insulate your house first.
Increasing the amount of insulation in your walls and attic is one of the best methods to improve the energy efficiency of your house. Insulation can lower your heating and cooling expenses by up to 20% by keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Plug up air holes
Energy can be lost significantly due to air leaks around doors, windows, and other openings. Foam insulation, caulk, and weatherstripping can all be used to plug air leaks.
- Replace your doors and windows
Older doors and windows may be incredibly inefficient. To save energy and money, you can upgrade to more energy-efficient windows and doors.
- Set up an automated heating system
You can set different temperatures for different times of the day and night with a programmable thermostat. You can do this to save energy while you’re sleeping or traveling.
- Replace the lightbulbs
The efficiency of incandescent light bulbs is very low. Making the switch to LED light bulbs can save you money and energy.
- Unplug all electronics when not in use.
Many electronics use power even when they are turned off. To conserve electricity, unplug electronics when not in use.
- Use cold water to wash clothes
A large amount of your energy bill goes toward heating water. When possible, wash your clothes in cold water to conserve energy.
- Let your clothing air dry
Dryers for clothes consume a lot of energy. Air drying your clothes is a great way to save energy.
- Use smaller appliances to cook
Ovens and stoves are examples of large appliances that consume a lot of energy. Using smaller appliances for cooking, like microwaves and toaster ovens, can help you save energy.
- Shorten your showers
A large amount of your water and energy use is related to showers. If you take shorter showers, you can conserve energy and water.
- Include trees in your yard
In the summer, trees can help shade your house and save energy.
Extra advice
Make use of energy-saving appliances. Check for the Energy Star label when purchasing new appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have strict guidelines for energy efficiency that Energy Star appliances must meet.
Shut down all of your devices. Completely turn off any electronic device you’re done using. Don’t just switch it off at standby.
Disconnect phone jacks. Cell phone chargers draw power even when the phone is not in use. When not in use, unplug your phone charger.
As soon as you leave a room, turn out the lights. Even though it might seem obvious, it’s crucial to turn off the lights when you leave a room. This kind of tiny adjustment can have a significant impact on how much energy you use.
It is a wise investment to upgrade the energy efficiency of your house. It can lower your environmental impact and save you money on energy bills. You can have a significant impact by heeding these advice.
