Energy efficiency is one of the hottest topics at the moment. With energy costs continuing to rise, many homeowners are trying to find ways to minimize their consumption and reduce their monthly bills. Others are attempting to live a more sustainable lifestyle, making greener choices that will benefit the planet. Regardless of your motivations, optimizing your energy usage can be as simple as making a couple of smart home improvements. Here are some of the best solutions you can try out:
1. Install a smart thermostat
Turning your HVAC system on and off frequently and keeping your thermostat at the same temperature regardless of the weather could waste more energy than you might realize. Resolve this problem with a smart thermostat. It’s simple to install and it will allow you to adjust the heating and cooling according to the time of day or outside temperature effortlessly, thus enabling you to save more energy. It would also be wise to inspect your HVAC system regularly to ensure optimal performance and consider replacing outdated systems that simply can’t function efficiently any longer.
2. Try to insulate your home
Proper insulation is one of the best, expert-recommended ways to solve a number of energy issues, including cold air drafts and steep heating and cooling bills. Even if your house was sufficiently insulated when it was built, keep in mind that insulation can wear down over time and air leaks can form in numerous places around your home. Simple fixes you can do yourself involve closing any air leaks by sealing your doors, windows, and other small openings. To enhance your efforts, call a professional to insulate your attic, floors, ceilings, walls, and other more complex aspects.
If your windows and doors are very old, it might be time to replace them with windows and doors with double-pained, argon-filled glass. Looking online you will likely find that The Best Iron Doors on the market would be a great, stylish option when looking for these criteria. Not only are the iron doors heavy, which reduces the chance of a draft getting through, but the argon filled glass will help to prevent heat from escaping whilst also efficiently heating your home in the sunlight. Iron doors are also a statement piece when it comes to your curb appeal, which is a great bonus.
3. Reconsider your appliances
From the washer and dryer to the stove and refrigerator, the home appliances you use every day can be quite energy-consuming. Try to utilize them more wisely. For example, you can meal plan and cook in larger batches instead of turning on the oven daily, and only wash your laundry when you actually have a full load. You could even do as Europeans do, and decide to line dry your clothes more often rather than using your dryer frequently. If your home appliances are simply too old and inefficient, purchasing new appliances with Energy Star ratings might be the best course of action.
4. Don’t overlook the pipes
If your pipes are leaking, cracked, bursting, or simply not appropriately insulated, this commonly overlooked aspect might also affect your home’s energy efficiency. For that reason, it’s recommended to contact professionals for regular inspections, maintenance, and repair. This is especially important in countries such as Australia, where DIY plumbing work is illegal. Here, homeowners often hire experts in pipe relining from Northern Beaches to fix their piping issues. Pipe relining could be a great solution for your problem as well, due to the service's quick, efficient, non-invasive, and inexpensive nature.
5. Look into renewable energy
Whenever we hear activists and celebrities talking about sustainability, renewable energy tends to be the biggest focus, and for good reason. Clean energy is the best way to support your eco-friendly efforts, allowing you to minimize the impact you would make with traditional power sources. Look into renewable energy providers in your area and consider switching to this green solution. It will likely be quite a big investment at first, but switching to renewable sources will also enable you to save plenty of money on your monthly energy bills in the long run.
6. Pay attention to the lights
Even small changes can make a large impact. Lighting accounts for around 5% of total energy usage, which can result in noticeable yearly savings, especially if you make some wise improvements. For instance, you can switch all your lightbulbs to LEDs. They are significantly more efficient than other options, and they will likely last longer, meaning you won’t need to replace them quite as frequently. To reduce your usage even further, make a habit of turning off all lights you don’t need, particularly in unused, empty rooms.
Sometimes, LED lights will encounter a problem with flickering that can seem to derail your efforts to be more sustainable. Click here to find out more about the dangers of flickering lights and how to fix them to get yourself back on track.
7. Focus on the outlets as well
Every outlet allows for a bit of treated air to escape into the walls. Stop this from happening by purchasing cheap precut foam gaskets and placing them behind every outlet around your home. For outlets on exterior walls or those you rarely use, consider placing child-safety plugs to block air exchange completely. You should also keep in mind that all plugged-in devices can consume energy, even if they’re not turned on. Make an effort to unplug unused devices regularly, use a power strip you can easily turn off, or even consider smart plugs you can control remotely.
Clearly, energy efficiency isn’t as complicated as it might seem. With just a few simple home improvements, you can reduce your usage and monthly bills, while making a positive impact on the planet.
Images:
Cover: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-electric-light-bulb-near-window-7425345/
1: https://pixabay.com/photos/facade-insulation-the-fa%c3%a7ade-of-the-978999/
2: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-lever-handle-faucet-2574664/
3: https://unsplash.com/photos/mFnbFaCIu1I