Consuming less energy can save money and lower your carbon footprint while helping the power grid by eliminating large spikes of usage that cause brownouts.
Making your home more energy efficient doesn’t require extensive renovations or costly upgrades; all it takes are some minor adjustments in daily routine.
1. Insulate Your Home
Insulation is an integral component of energy efficiency in any home, as it helps lower energy usage for heating and cooling your house, thus cutting costs while protecting the environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Installing additional insulation at little cost should be easy if your current level is insufficient; but for best results it is wise to consult a professional on what type and amount is appropriate for your property – this might involve conducting tests such as blower door tests to measure air leakage or infrared scanning, or performing visual inspections to identify problem spots in both attic or walls for potential issues.
Proper insulation is one of the easiest, cost-effective, and long-term ways to save on energy costs. Insulation keeps your home warmer during winter and cooler in summer, decreasing your need for furnace or air conditioning use – potentially saving 10% or more off annual energy bills! A professionally installed upgrade could even end up saving 10%.
Insulating your attic is one of the best ways to save energy and reduce utility bills, yet installation can be expensive. To minimize cost, check with local utilities for programs which might offer rebates or help in hiring an installer for free.
As well as adding insulation, sealing your home’s air leaks is also beneficial in conserving energy use and saving money on heating bills. This can be achieved using simple caulking or weather stripping methods, or by purchasing and installing energy efficient doors and windows. Furthermore, installing a programmable thermostat will enable you to manage temperature settings within your home more effectively while minimising wasteful energy use.
Another simple way to reduce energy use and bills is switching over to cold water instead of hot, which could save up to 2700 gallons or 333 kwh in electricity use annually. Though these savings might not seem substantial, every little bit helps when it comes to cutting consumption and costs. For even greater savings in this regard, installation of new appliances or renovation may be required for drastic reductions.
2. Install Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances are another key way to maximize home energy efficiency. Newer models use less electricity, heat and pollution than older appliances – saving energy bills in the process and saving you money over time with reduced bills. When shopping for energy-efficient products look for those bearing the ENERGY STAR label; these certified products consume at least 15% less energy than similar makes and models.
Your household energy consumption can also be decreased by using fewer high-energy appliances that use large amounts of water, like dishwashers or washers that run hot. Instead of running these automatically cycled machines, consider handwashing dishes yourself and hanging clothing outside to dry naturally in the sun.
Switching out outdated lightbulbs for ENERGY STAR certified alternatives will substantially cut energy use at home, and dimmers or timers are great tools to control when and how much electricity is being consumed by lighting systems. Furthermore, if you are thinking of purchasing an ENERGY STAR appliance consider applying for cash rebates or low interest loans that can offset its initial purchase price.
Homeowners looking to increase the energy efficiency of their homes should also upgrade the electrical system. Older systems simply can’t keep up with modern appliances and energy use, creating the potential risk for dangerous fires. Installing a more energy-efficient electric system will not only lower electricity bills but also minimize repairs down the line.
With rising utility costs nationwide, improving your home’s energy efficiency will save money and reduce carbon emissions while simultaneously adding value when selling. Upgrades such as insulation or LED bulbs are sure to pay for themselves in increased value of your property and increased savings overall – there’s no reason not to start making upgrades now! Also don’t forget about claiming the Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit through 2032 for qualifying improvements which reduce their costs by 30 percent; learn about eligibility, rebates and installers available near you here.
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
According to the Department of Energy, programmable thermostats can save you up to 10% annually on heating and cooling bills. With one installed at home, these devices allow you to set your home’s temperature based on your schedule; lower it while sleeping or away and raise it when awake at home or awake when asleep again. A smart thermostat that connects with Wi-Fi network offers remote access and learning capabilities – plus you’re likely to find many such thermostats in home centers or hardware stores!
Installing a programmable thermostat requires some minor plumbing and electrical work, but can still be accomplished as a DIY project. Start by turning off power to your current thermostat at its circuit breaker or fuse box; remove its faceplate; take photos of its wiring configuration for later reference; loosen and disconnect its wires from its subbase with care, making sure not to lose any of the small metal tabs holding them in place; loosen any tight connections on its subbase (careful not to loose any small tabs that hold onto them); carefully reconnect its wires from its subbase while paying attention not to lose their flat metal tabs holding them securely in place – once complete you will be up and running with its capabilities!
Install a programmable thermostat that meets your home’s specific needs when selecting one to purchase. If your house contains multiple heating or cooling zones, install one thermostat per zone for accurate readings and even temperatures throughout. Also ensure it is located away from drafts, sunlight, or any other sources of heat such as radiators.
Beyond installing a programmable thermostat, there are other simple upgrades you can make to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce energy costs without compromising comfort.
Your home’s energy usage can also be reduced by replacing appliances with more energy-efficient models or by eliminating devices that consume a great deal of power altogether. Energy efficient lighting fixtures and water heaters can have a great effect on lowering utility costs significantly.
Energy efficiency upgrades can not only lower utility bills but can also add value to your home resale value. But when investing in these upgrades, only those which provide a high return should be undertaken – for instance a roof replacement could save more in the long run than installing a programmable thermostat.
4. Turn Off Unnecessary Lights
Turning off lights when not needed is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to save energy, making a significant dent in long-term electricity costs. Turning them off when not necessary could make all of the difference!
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. By cutting back on energy usage, you’re helping save the environment and help safeguard our future generations.
LED bulbs offer another option to take things a step further, designed to last longer and use less energy than incandescent ones – not to mention being safer to leave on for extended periods of time since traditional incandescent ones can heat up over time and possibly start fires!
If you plan on being away for an extended amount of time, setting a light timer will ensure your home remains safe while you’re gone and act as a great reminder when it’s time to turn off all lights before bed.
Utilize natural lighting whenever possible to keep your home comfortable, which can significantly decrease heating and cooling bills.
Open curtains on west and south-facing windows during the day to allow natural sunlight into your home and heat it effectively, saving 2%-12% off your energy bill in this way.
Myth: Turning on lights uses more energy than leaving them off is simply untrue; in reality, however, only situations of power outage necessitating bulb replacement require greater amounts of electricity for turning lights back on than simply leaving them off.
Saving energy requires taking both an overall approach and considering daily habits to save energy. For instance, adding insulation, weatherizing your home, installing a smart thermostat and replacing old appliances are all great ways to boost energy efficiency in your home or business. For even greater energy savings you could also call an energy professional out to identify wasteful energy usage in specific locations within your property, using infrared cameras to detect air leakage or drafts that occur within.