There are many benefits to making your home more energy-efficient. First, it will save you money on electric bills, which means more money in your pocket at the end of the month. Plus, it will help you do your part to protect the environment and slow climate change!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss eleven tips that can help make your home more energy-efficient and lower your carbon footprint.
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Ditch The Dryer
One of the easiest ways to save energy in your home is skipping the dryer. If you can, hang your clothes outside to dry instead. The fresh air and natural sunlight will help them smell better too! So not only will you be saving energy, but you’ll also be helping reduce your carbon footprint.
Unplug Electronics
If you have a desktop computer, make sure it is unplugged when not in use. Computers are notorious energy hogs, so even if they’re turned off but plugged into an outlet, they can still be sucking up electricity and costing you money. Unplugging them will help save energy and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.
Plug Electronics into an Outlet Timer
If you can’t unplug your electronics when they’re not in use, consider using an outlet timer to turn them off for you automatically. This is a great way to save energy and money without remembering to do it yourself.
Install LED Bulbs
LED bulbs are a great way to reduce the amount of electricity you use in your home. Even though they cost more upfront, the money you save with them balances out over time and will even make up for it all. While these lights don’t do as well when exposed directly to sunlight or bumped into hard by accident, they won’t shatter and use less energy than other lights.
Invest In The Sun
One way to make your home more energy efficient is investing in the sun. Installing solar panels can help reduce your reliance on traditional forms of electricity and may even net you a bit of money back in the long run. However, if you’re not quite ready to make that kind of investment, consider adding some plants to your yard. Many plants convert sunlight into energy and provide you with the electricity needed to power your home.
Check Windows and Doors For Cracks
One of the simplest and most effective ways to make your home more energy efficient is to check for cracks around windows and doors. These tiny openings can let in a lot of cold air during the winter, or hot air during the summer, which can cause your energy bills to skyrocket. If you find any cracks, seal them up with caulk or weatherstripping to help keep your home energy efficient.
Install Energy Efficient Windows
One of the best ways to make your home more sustainable is energy efficient home window replacement. Replacing your windows is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your home more energy-efficient. New, energy-efficient windows can save you up to 30% on your energy bill. There are various window types to choose from, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase.
You can save up to 30 percent on your energy bill by replacing your old windows with energy efficient ones.
Lower Your Thermostat
One of the simplest ways to save energy in your home is to lower your thermostat by a few degrees in the winter and raise it a few degrees in the summer. You may not even notice the difference, but you will see a decrease in your monthly energy bill.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can also help you save energy by allowing you to set specific temperatures for different times of the day. For example, you can have your thermostat automatically adjust to lower temperatures at night or when you’re not home and then raise the temperature again before you return.
Use Natural Light
Open your curtains and blinds in the morning to let natural light into rooms. Then, close them at night when you’re not using those areas of your home, or use bedside lamps instead. This will save electricity by reducing the amount of artificial lighting needed throughout the day.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great way to keep your home cool during the hot summer months. Ceiling fans work by circulating air across your skin and making you feel cooler because it lowers body temperature. This is why ceiling can help to reduce your reliance on electricity for lighting.
In conclusion, follow these simple tips to make your home more energy-efficient and save money on your monthly energy bill.
February 28, 2022 at 6:45 am
Thank you for such a comprehensive article, Amber! By the way, plugged chargers and electrical appliances account for 37% of the energy consumed. It’s too much to keep ignoring it. We have to be more conscious.
March 5, 2022 at 10:33 am
Thank you for posting all this info! Amber, you’ve mentioned many good tips here, so I just want to add such a thing as replacing old appliances. Old appliances contain hazardous components and gases, that have a direct negative impact on the environment. Additionally, they require more energy for their function, which makes the utility bills higher.
March 15, 2022 at 8:19 am
Thank you for sharing such great tips! Let me also add such a thing as cleaning HVAC filters. Over time, air conditioners and furnaces filters tend to become dirty. Dirty filters, in turn, make the appliances work harder and consume more energy to function. Moreover, it can cause poor indoor air quality in your home.
So, don’t forget to clean them at least once every three months.
April 4, 2022 at 7:40 am
Thank you for sharing such valuable info! To make your home more energy-efficient, you should consider using curtains made of thick fabric. In summer, such curtains can be successfully applied to keep your house chilly as they will protect it from sun rays penetrating the rooms and heating them. In winter, it will serve as an additional barrier that helps to keep the house warm.
April 5, 2022 at 7:42 am
Good suggestions! Current environmental conditions require us to make some changes in our lives. By the way, even though sealing up the windows is a really great idea, sometimes it is not enough. Here are some things that signal you need to consider replacement:
1. The gaps are too big.
2. Mold and rot.
3. Condensate.
4. You hear whistling in windy weather.
May 13, 2022 at 4:27 am
Good article! If you have a swimming pool in your backyard, there’s another thing you can do to save more money on electricity. This is upgrading your swimming pool. Pools do use additional electricity. Upgrading to an Energy Star variable speed pool pump can help you save.
June 15, 2023 at 3:40 am
I also forgot to mention that it’s important to choose the right variable speed pump.
Here are 7 things to consider when choosing one for your pool: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/things-to-consider-when-upgrading-to-a-variable-speed-pump.
June 26, 2022 at 2:06 am
Useful tips! Make sure your home has efficient heating and cooling systems. Heating your home needs a lot of energy, so make sure to use the most efficient heater you can afford. Make sure you are using energy-efficient appliances like washing machines and dryers. hunter building inspections
June 26, 2022 at 8:19 am
This ideas is very usefull for recent time . which can cause your energy bills to skyrocket. If you find any cracks, seal them up with caulk or weatherstripping to help keep your home energy efficient.
June 28, 2022 at 12:59 pm
This is great job One way to make your home more energy efficient is investing in the sun. Installing solar panels can help reduce your reliance on traditional forms of electricity and may even net you a bit of money back in the long runluxury home builder melbourne
August 20, 2022 at 8:40 am
Thanks for sharing the Tips to make our home more energy efficient. By the way, while caulking the windows is a really good idea, there are occasions when it is insufficient. Here are some indications that you might think about replacement: There are too many gaps and condensate
August 20, 2022 at 8:45 am
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August 20, 2022 at 8:52 am
I appreciate you sharing this useful information. Don’t forget to utilize thick-fabric coverings in your house to increase its energy efficiency.
August 20, 2022 at 8:59 am
I appreciate you sharing this information. Tips and Ideas that have shared with us, I’d like to do is add the idea of upgrading outdated equipment. Old appliances carry dangerous parts and fumes that are directly harmful to the environment.
August 20, 2022 at 9:03 am
Amazing Information that you have shared with us. Before reading your article, i really don’t know how can we make our home more energy efficient.
January 12, 2023 at 11:03 am
Thanks for sharing this! If you have a smart thermostat, turning it down 10 degrees when you’re gone at work or sleeping at night can drastically improve your home’s energy efficiency.
But! Remember that the temperatures shouldn’t be below 55 degrees even when the house is empty. Otherwise, it can bring a lot of trouble, including frozen pipes.
April 5, 2023 at 7:09 am
[…] may be surprised at how much energy you could save by simply adding solar panels to your home. Even in cloudy climates, it’s […]
June 7, 2023 at 3:18 am
Thanks for such great tips! I also want to mention such a thing as regular HVAC maintenance. It is another vital aspect of an eco-friendly lifestyle as it can improve your home’s energy efficiency by up to 15%.
Use this comprehensive HVAC maintenance guide to make your life easier: https://integrityheating-cooling.com/news-media/hvac-maintenance-everything-homeowners-must-know 🙂
June 8, 2023 at 5:07 am
Yes, that’s a good idea to set the thermostat a tad higher in summer and a bit lower in winter.
I’ve got something extra to share with your readers: the samples of cooling and heating schedules they can use to program their thermostats. It covers different situations like being home, away or sleeping. They can find it here: https://www.dashservice.com/save-energy.
June 13, 2023 at 3:28 am
Here’s another tip to to reduce air conditioning costs that may surprise you: consider leaving your AC on when you’re away from home. I know it sounds strange, but let me explain. Instead of turning off your AC completely, set it to a reasonable temperature like 72 degrees before you leave for the day. This way, when you return home, you won’t have to blast the AC on its coldest setting right away. That actually wastes more energy because it makes your AC work harder to cool the house quickly. So, for the sake of your comfort and your wallet, it might be better to let your AC run while you’re out in the morning.
July 6, 2023 at 3:39 am
A smart thermostat is actually a good thing. While installing a smart thermostat costs more than a mechanical thermostat, the benefits it provides are well worth it. Smart thermostats save you money and keep your air conditioner performance efficient. According to real-world data gathered by the Environmental Protection Agency, smart thermostats that meet Energy Star criteria save users an average of 8 percent on their utility bills.
July 18, 2023 at 3:33 am
Hi there! Thank you for the tips! It might also be a good idea to upgrade the air conditioner. Even though buying and installing a new unit can be expensive, using an old and inefficient air conditioner can lead to much higher energy bills and constant repairs. So, if your unit is 10 years or older, it’s a good idea to consider getting an air conditioner replacement. It may cost more upfront but can save you money in the long run and give you a more efficient cooling system.
July 31, 2023 at 4:13 am
Great tips for making our homes more energy-efficient! Also, remember to pick the right heating system for your house. Choosing one that suits your needs and home size will help you save energy and keep your home cozy. It’s also important to consider the climate.
I believe this article will help you find out the best option for your home: https://www.gervaismechanical.com/how-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient/ 🙂
January 11, 2024 at 1:27 am
Thank you for sharing these valuable suggestions for reducing energy consumption. Adding reflective foil behind radiators, especially those on external walls, is another simple yet effective way to conserve energy. This foil reflects heat back into the room, reducing the amount of heat lost through the walls. As a result, rooms warm up faster and maintain heat more efficiently, which can help you save on your heating bills. This method is particularly beneficial in older homes with less insulation.