Eco-conscious living is obviously better for the environment, but it can also help you save money on your energy bill. There are countless ways to make your home more energy efficient, and a lot of them cost less than you might think.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 tips for how to make your home more energy efficient.
Some are small changes that you can implement daily, while others involve a little investigation and research. Any change, great or small, that makes your home more energy efficient is worth considering.
Read on to learn how to make your home more energy efficient.
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Take a look at your appliances
If you have old or outdated appliances, then chances are they are costing you more over time than upgrading to an energy efficient brand.
Energy Star appliances can help you cut energy costs without sacrificing performance or quality. The next time you consider upgrading one of your appliances, look for an energy efficient brand that can save you money in the long run.
Add insulation to your home
Insulation is a great way to save money on heating and cooling costs. Adding additional insulation to your attic, basement, or crawl spaces can make your home more energy efficient. This is especially true for older homes.
Take a look at your current insulation, as well as the requirements for your region, to see how additional insulation might help reduce your electric bill year round.
Set your thermostat to a default temperature while you’re away
Setting your thermostat to a specific temperature during the day can lower your total heating and cooling costs. Controlling when your heating or air conditioning kicks in can prevent you from paying extra to keep the house warm (or cool) when you aren’t there.
Many thermostats have preset temperature controls that will manage the temperature for you during different times of day.
Change out your shower heads
New technology like low-flow shower heads can reduce the amount of water you use for the same daily routines. Some shower heads cut the gallons of water per minute by as much as half of their non-environmentally friendly counterparts.
Unplug chargers when not in use
This is another one of those tiny changes that can make a huge impact on your energy bill. Energy flows into chargers even when they are not connected to a device, so unplugging chargers when not in use can really add up over time.
Add a storm door to your home
A storm door can provide an extra layer of insulation and protect your home from energy loss. Most storm doors are inexpensive and easy to install, so the savings will add up quickly.
Change out your light bulbs
By switching to energy-efficient light bulbs like halogen bulbs or LED bulbs, you can easily lessen your environmental impact. Considering how many light bulbs there are in the average home, this is a big step toward going green.
MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
Use cold or warm water in your washing machine
The energy used by your hot water heater amounts to a large portion of your home’s energy expenditure. Washing clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot is another small change that leads to huge benefits in terms of energy use.
Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer
Laptops are more energy efficient than their stationary counterparts. They are a smart alternative if you are looking to save on energy costs.
Install solar panels
Our last tip is definitely a bigger investment than the others on this list, but solar panels are one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient. Solar panels are expensive, but they sometimes qualify for tax breaks and they can save you a lot of money on utility costs over the years.
How do you make your home more energy efficient in winter?
To make your home more energy efficient in the winter, use the tips listed above. It's especially important to lower the temp in your house when you're not there, as having the thermostat too high raises energy use. Just make sure the house is warm enough that pipes won't freeze and any pets are still comfortable.
You also need to limit space heater use to keep your home energy efficient in the winter. Space heaters are very inefficient. Instead, look into energy-efficient heaters and stock up on blankets.
Implementing any of the above tips can set you on the path to a more energy-efficient home. Find what works for you, and adopt the changes that you see as the most realistic for your current circumstances.
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