Making your home more energy-efficient can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not able to fully remodel. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your environmental footprint.
From adjusting your monthly habits to making some more long-term investments, these small changes can help improve the health and energy efficiency of your home. Plus, conserving energy not only helps reduce your ecological impact, but also saves you money on your monthly bills!
Follow these steps to start making your home more energy-efficient now.
Unplug Appliances
Unplugging your appliances when they’re not in use can have a huge impact on your overall energy use. This is true for appliances with LED screens, such as TVs and computers, as well as smaller devices such as microwaves, coffee makers, and even chargers.
Whenever you leave the house, unplug as many appliances as you can to avoid wasting energy. Even if an appliance isn’t actively turned on, it can still consume power when plugged in, so unplugging devices can significantly reduce your energy use.
Lower Heating and Cooling Settings
Although it’s common to set the temperature of your home to whatever feels most comfortable, take some time to save energy by adjusting the thermostat as you leave for work, school, or errands. Lowering the temperature by a few degrees can help reduce your energy expenditure without having to sacrifice too much comfort. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat to make it easier to keep the temperature consistent and ensure it’s turned down when you’re away.
In the summer, you can also consider keeping the blinds drawn to keep natural sunlight out and your air conditioning at a more energy-efficient temperature. Make sure to open the windows when the air outside is cooler than indoors to cool down your home naturally.
Additionally, make sure to regularly replace HVAC filters to ensure they’re running efficiently.
Switch to LED Lighting
Traditional light bulbs consume a lot of energy and require frequent replacements. To save on energy and money in the long run, consider making the switch to LED bulbs. LED bulbs last up to 25 times longer and use up to 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs, so they’re a great way to save on energy and still have bright, beautiful lighting.
Take Advantage of the Sun
- Clean windows to maximize natural light
- Install solar panels/solar water heaters
- Invest in window films/tints to reduce solar heat gain
- Harvest water for plants and garden use
- Make use of passive design principles when remodeling
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many steps you can take to make your home more energy-efficient. While it may take a bit of effort to adjust your daily routines and habits, making the switch to energy-efficient alternatives will ultimately save you money and reduce your environmental footprint. Get started on using less energy and making your home more efficient today!