Nowadays, everyone is trying to find new ways to be eco-friendly. And, since we spend so much time in our houses, it only makes sense that we would look for ways to save energy at home.
So if you’re one of these people who are interested in living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, then check out these four ways to increase energy efficiency in your own home.
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Be smart about heating and cooling your household
Heating and air conditioning are two of the biggest sources of energy usage in most households. Making an effort to use both conservatively can save you energy and, in turn, save you some money on the monthly utility bill.
If you feel too cold, try and find alternative ways of warming up instead of going right to the thermostat. Put on some extra layers of clothing, wrap yourself up in a blanket, or start a fire in the fireplace if you have one. As a result of lowering your thermostat by just a few degrees, you’ll likely see a lower monthly utility bill and a reduced energy output for your home.
On the other hand, when you feel like you need to cool down, don’t go straight to the air conditioner. In general, air conditioners use a lot of energy to cool down the warm air and push it out into the room. Thus, you should consider using a tower fan instead, which can provide you some relief from the heat while using significantly less energy than an air conditioning unit.
Also, you might consider installing a ceiling fan if you don’t already have one. A ceiling fan is more energy efficient than an air conditioner and is often more effective than a tower fan when it comes to evenly cooling a room.
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Upgrade your roof
If you want to save energy in a bold way, then consider upgrading the roof of your current home. Energy efficient roofing systems can lower your energy usage and provide you with a variety of other great benefits.
An energy efficient roof can reduce the burden that your home’s cooling system is forced to take on by both insulating your home and reflecting away heat. As a result, this lowers the amount of energy needed to keep your house at an ideal temperature and saves you a good chunk of money on your monthly utility bill.
Although installing an energy efficient roof may be expensive, it can prove to be a worthwhile investment in the long-term. The benefits it provides—reduced energy usage, lowered utility bills, and protection against harsh conditions—may very well be seen as an asset to a potential buyer in the future. Thus, installing an energy efficient roof can actually increase the overall value of your home.
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Replace your light bulbs
According to the US Department of Energy, you can save up to $75 each year by replacing the bulbs in your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures with models that have earned the Energy Star, an official government-backed designation given to energy-efficient products.
The classic incandescent light bulbs that most people have installed in the interior of their home are highly inefficient when it comes to energy and have a terrible lifespan compared to other types of bulbs. Light bulbs such as halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs) use less energy, save you more money, and can last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
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Install low-flow shower heads and toilets
On average, the amount of water we use in our bathrooms accounts for about 50% of total household water use. If you want to cut down on this number, then try installing low-flow shower heads and toilets in your home’s bathroom.
By using low-flow shower heads and toilets, you can make a proactive effort to conserve water and save on your utility bills. So how does low-flow help?
Low-flow shower heads come in different flow rates, allowing you to adjust and reduce the amount of gallons that come out per minute. Low-flow toilets generally use much less water to flush than conventional toilets, potentially saving thousands of gallons of water every year. Many of these toilets also offer a dual-flush option that allows you to use different amounts of water for liquid waste and solid waste.
Remember that even the smallest of changes can benefit not only the environment, but also yourself. Instituting energy-efficient changes in the home will more than likely pay for itself over time by saving you money on utility bills. So get organized and start going green today!