You’ve probably been hearing or the benefits of making your house energy efficient. Have you ever wondered what this truly involves?
Making your home energy efficient, simply means conserving energy as much as you can.
Apart from the fact that an energy efficient home saves you money, it is also good for the ecosystem. The more people in make their homes energy efficient, the more beneficial it will be to the environment.
A home that is energy efficient uses as little energy as possible to function by reducing energy consumption. This helps reduce the greenhouse emissions that are destroying the planet today. No rule says only some people should make energy efficient changes in their homes while others shouldn’t. It is your responsibility as a citizen of the world to do everything you can to help save the environment. So, if you haven’t joined the trend yet, here are ten simple ways you can make your home energy efficient:
- Window Replacement Or Tinting
You might be wondering how windows can help save the planet. Well, for starters, the kind of windows you have installed have a role to play in how much energy your household consumes annually. This is because some windows absorb heat and air during the winter and summer seasons consecutively. When you have to share warmth with every member of your family and still have your window absorb some, you will be wasting a lot of heat. This, in turn, will cost you a lot of money in annual utility bills. If you still have old windows installed, get rid of them and replace them with double panel windows or other windows with vinyl frames. If you can’t afford new windows, simply tinting your windows and leaving your blinds up can help you save energy.
- Improve Insulation
Make sure your home insulation allows energy efficiency. If your insulation isn’t up to standard, you’ll be losing a lot of heat during the winter. You can implement weather stripping to help improve your insulation. If you cannot do it yourself, an expert will be happy to help you.
- Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
If your home is an old home, you may need to consider changing your appliances to more energy efficient options. There are many energy saving appliances on the market. While shopping for new appliances, look out for the HE logo. The logo means that energy star certifies the appliance. These appliances may be more expensive than regular ones. However, you will save more on utility bills annually in the long run.
- Switch Off Appliances That Aren’t In Use
The fact that you have energy efficient appliances is not an excuse to leave them on all the time. Overusing an energy efficient appliance is as bad as not having one at all. So, make sure you don’t use any appliance except you have to. When you finish using it, switch it off at ones and unplug them from the wall. Also, don’t make a habit of always changing your thermostat. It should be in a comfortable setting all the time.
- Install LED Bulbs
If you still use the old types of light bulbs, it’s time for a change. Take them all out and replace them with LED bulbs. Apart from the fact that these bulbs last twenty times more than the old types, they consume about 75% less energy.
- Change Your Water Heater
Most old model water heaters consume more energy than the newer models. Try to replace the conventional water heater with the on-demand water heater. These heaters only consume energy on demand as quickly as possible and stop consuming energy as soon as you turn them off. They are easy to maintain and help you save money in the long run.
- Keep Your Water Heater Warm
Your water heater should be heated to the warm range which is about 120 to 140 degrees. If you don’t have the money to replace your conventional heater, then try to regulate the heat to make sure you turn it off when it moves past the warm range of 140. Most new water heaters automatically stop heating when they heat up to 140 degrees. To keep the water warm long after you have turned the heater off, you can insulate the water lines.
- Plant Shade Trees Around The House
Another amazing way to make your home energy efficient is to plant trees around your house. The foliage of the trees will block the infrared radiation that makes your home warm. While the bare branches during the winter will let the much-needed radiation come through.
- Replace Your Furnace
Any furnace that was built before the year 1992 and has a standing point is not energy efficient. You’ll be wasting fuel by 35% when you use this furnace as opposed to the modern day options. The latest energy efficient furnaces don’t use more than 10% of the total fuel you buy.
- Take Advantage Of Energy Rebates
After you have made your home an energy efficient house, make sure you take full advantage of the tax incentives provided by the federal government. The government will give you up to 30% of the money you spent making your home energy efficient back. This is in addition to the money you will save on bills and the fact that you will be saving the planet.
Making your home energy efficient is for your good. It also plays a role in saving the environment. You’ll be helping yourself, the government and all of humanity. It’s a win-win situation.
