Energy efficiency means using less energy to do the same tasks, and this concept can be applied to reduce your home’s energy waste and save you money on power bills. To improve your home’s energy efficiency, you need to be aware of how energy is used, where it is wasted, and how it can be utilized more efficiently in everyday life.
There are several ways to reduce your home’s energy use, ranging from simple habit adjustments to extensive home improvement projects. Let’s look at some of the top tips to help your home save on energy and be more efficient.
1. Use thick curtains and insulate your doors.
Sometimes, the easiest solutions are the best. Using thicker curtains to cover your windows will prevent heat from escaping, making your home much more comfortable. Using blackout curtains is also recommended because of their efficiency in keeping your home cool by blocking out the heat.
You should hang drapes on the windows that get the most sunlight. Drapes that are lined are best in blocking heat in the summer and preventing heat loss in the winter, making your home more energy-efficient. Just make sure that they hang from the ceiling to the floor to give you the best insulation.
2. Upgrade your HVAC system.
Another easy way to conserve energy is by upgrading to an energy-efficient HVAC system. An HVAC system is basically composed of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Installing the right air conditioner can help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars on your energy bill. Having energy-efficient radiators will help you save money on electricity, too. The thing is that you can have radiators that can be controlled remotely which will enable you to switch the heating on/off anytime you want. There are a number of radiators that have the feature of being controlled remotely, such as RadiWarm, BestElectricradiators, OnlyRadiators, and many more that you can consider.
3. Replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.
Regular incandescent light bulbs consume a lot of electricity and need replacement more often than their energy-efficient alternatives. Some of the popular alternatives are halogen incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs), and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) that consume 25-80% less electricity. They also last 3 to 25 times longer than regular bulbs.
Energy-efficient bulbs might be more expensive off the shelf, but their efficient energy consumption and longer lifetimes mean that you’ll save more money in the long run.
4. Air-seal your home.
Seal all cracks, gaps, and leaks on your doors and windows to regulate the temperature inside your home. The ventilation system won’t have to work as hard if there is no heat coming from outside entering through those cracks. You can keep the heat out by sealing air leaks using weatherstripping or caulking. Adding insulation can save you up to 10% on home heating and cooling costs.
5. Install a programmable or smart thermostat.
A programmable thermostat automatically turns off or reduces heating and cooling when you are asleep or not at home. When you have a programmable thermostat installed at home, you can save on heating and cooling costs without upgrading your HVAC system.
A programmable thermostat can help you save an average of $180 per year. Programmable thermostats also come with indicators for when you need to replace air filters or when your HVAC system encounters problems.
6. Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
Appliances are responsible for about 13% of total household energy use. So when buying an appliance, pay attention to the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. Energy-efficient appliances cost more initially, but their operating costs are generally 9-25% lower than conventional models.
Wrapping Up
Taking small steps, such as switching off the lights when you go out or turning off the TV when no one is watching does make some difference. Being aware of your energy consumption makes it easier for you to monitor where energy is wasted. The tips above, along with monitoring your energy use, should make your home more energy-efficient.
Infographic Provided By Solar Panel Installation Company, Sunburst Solar
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