Are you planning to save on energy consumption and expenses for your home? This is not only necessary for environmental safety but also a practical necessity. If you are a homeowner who wants to improve comfort, reduce your energy bills and also make a positive impact on the planet, you have to look for ways to cut down on your energy consumption at home.
Energy expenses are rising today. Also, with increased awareness about sustainability, you need to make basic upgrades in your home. Even with simple upgrades, you can conserve energy resources and add value to your property. No need for any big renovations to see outstanding results; just basic changes and upgrades can improve the energy efficiency of your home without draining your budget. Here are some tips to help you.
- Switch to LED Lighting Fixtures
This is one of the easiest and low-cost ways to reduce your energy consumption at home. You can replace all your old incandescent or fluorescent bulbs and tubes with LED lights. Did you know that LED bulbs can last much longer and consume up to 80% less energy? These also generate less heat while emitting light, and can make your home cooler during the summer months.
It is best to opt for cool-white LEDs for workrooms, kitchens and other areas where you have to spend a lot of time in work. Go for warm-white LEDs for living spaces and bedrooms. The initial expenses might be slightly higher with this type of upgrade but it can be a worthwhile investment. You can save a lot of money on long-term savings and there will be reduced frequency of replacement.
- Seal all gaps and cracks at home
Cool or warm air can escape from air leaks in walls, windows and doors of your home. This can compel your HVAC system to work harder and consume more electricity. It is enough to do a basic inspection around your home to find the gaps and cracks that need to be sealed.
You can use weatherstripping for windows, doors and other movable components in your house. Try caulking for stationary gaps around baseboards and frames. If your house is an older structure, you have to pay more attention to all those areas where utilities enter. Often, these are overlooked yet significant sources of energy loss from home.
- Upgrade to a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Around 50% of the average energy consumption of homes is lost in heating and cooling. You should install a programmable thermostat that can help you to adjust temperatures automatically when you are away or asleep. With smart thermostats that learn your schedule, you can optimize cooling and heating patterns accordingly.
During winter season, you can save as much as 10% on heating costs annually. All that you have to do is reduce the temperature by 7–10°F for 8 hours a day. Likewise, you can see notable savings with no sacrifice on comfort if you increase the cooling setting by a few degrees during the summer months.
- Improve your insulation at home
With effective insulation, you can keep your home cool during summer and warm in the winter months. It can reduce heat transfer through floors, ceilings and walls. Even if your home has insulation already, it may have become less effective or settled over time. In such cases, it might be time to replace it altogether.
Crawl spaces, basements and attics tend to lose maximum amount of heat. You need to focus on all these important areas. You can get excellent thermal performance with modern insulation materials like fiberglass batts, cellulose or spray foam.
- Install energy-efficient windows
Do you have old or single-pane windows? You might experience significant heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter months. It can be quite expensive to replace all your windows but you can reduce UV penetration and improve insulation by switching to low-E glass or double-glazed windows. It can also keep your flooring and furniture safe from the harsh rays of the sun and not make them fade anytime soon.
If you want to stick to your budget, consider using window films or adding storm windows. These can manage to improve performance with no need for a complete replacement.
- Use Energy Star–rated appliances
You can easily find dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines and even television sets available with Energy Star ratings. These might be slightly pricier upfront but can be a smart, cost-effective choice for you, when you consider the fact that the operating costs are much lower over the long-term.
- Upgrade to low-flow fixtures
When you save water, you can also manage to save the energy used for heating it. It is better to go for low-flow faucets and showerheads that can reduce your usage of water with no compromise on performance. Those with modern designs use advanced spray technology or air infusion that can ensure strong water pressure but use less water.
Try to fix any leaks promptly. It can help you to save a lot of water every year. Also, you can save on the expenses on the energy that will be needed for heating the same amount of water.
Final Thoughts
If you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home, simple upgrades can often be enough to do the trick. You can easily reduce your energy consumption and expenses for your home and enjoy more savings, better comfort and more assurance as a homeowner. You can also feel better at managing to do something good for the environment as well.
