Sustainable Energy-Efficiency Tips for Homeowners
Green home practices might feel this way, but an energy-efficient home is easier than being a frog. Home energy conservation is manageable. Plus, it leads to extra green in your pocket.
Easy Home Energy Conservation
Saving energy doesn’t require much effort, as green home practices simplify home energy conservation. You can easily use these energy-saving tips for sustainability.
Get a Home Energy Audit
If you’ve never heard of a home energy audit, it is one of the best ways to determine your home energy consumption and efficiency.
A professional will come to your home and examine energy usage room by room. At the end of the audit, you get an analysis of your energy efficiency and how to address the issues. This service isn’t free, but if you look, you can find rebates or a government-subsidized company that costs less.
Think of it as a blueprint for energy efficiency and savings!
Home Upgrades For Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient home upgrades can reduce your energy consumption. Even with upfront costs, they save you a lot of money and make your home more sustainable while adding value.
Energy-efficient windows are great to make a home greener. They reduce the loss of heating and cooling from the house, meaning you don’t have to run the system as long with easier HVAC maintenance, allowing your system to run better and longer.
Installing ceiling fans reduces the energy needed to cool your home. A ceiling fan uses about the same power as a 100-watt light bulb, resulting in substantial energy savings. Plus, you can keep your thermostat about four degrees warmer with the same feeling.
Installing solar panels makes your home energy consumption practically zero, which is excellent for the environment and your wallet, as solar panels can even put your home into negative consumption from renewable energy. Programs offering rebates make them affordable for almost anyone.
Easy Fixes To Implement Now
There are energy-saving tips you can implement in your home that don’t require the time an upgrade can take. A variety of quick fixes and awareness will make your home sustainably green!
Lighting
Simply updating light bulbs to LED lighting will cut energy consumption. An LED uses significantly less energy and lasts much longer, resulting in less trash and further decreasing your impact.
You can also set up outdoor lighting with timers or sensors to operate only when needed. Integrated with energy-efficient landscaping, like climate-appropriate and water-conserving plants and proper placement to keep a home cooler, an outdoor area saves energy.
Heating and Cooling
Have your air conditioning unit, furnace, or HVAC system inspected yearly. Proper maintenance catches problems affecting green home practices before they become expensive and time-consuming.
Keep your air conditioning at 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter to save.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
It is astounding how much new, energy-certified appliances save in energy costs. They pull a smaller load, and they are made to last. It may be an investment, but you don’t need to upgrade everything simultaneously. As they wear out, replace appliances with energy-efficient models to encourage home energy conservation.
Check Seals and Gaps
About once a year, check the seals around your windows and doors and any ductwork or piping that travels through your house. Observe any leaks causing you to lose the heating and cooling and costing you energy. Use the proper caulk to reseal these places, or have professional help if unsure.
Other Energy-Saving Tips
Other easy fixes you can put to use quickly to bolster your home’s energy efficiency include:
- Wrapping your water heater for better insulation
- Closing window coverings in the summer to keep the sun out
- Utilizing natural light when possible
- Using the dishwasher and dryer at night
- Unplugging any unused chargers
- Getting a smart thermostat
- Turning off the lights not in use
- Cleaning exhaust and ventilation fans
These green home practices help your home’s energy efficiency and will make it easier to be green. Cutting down home energy consumption means more sustainable living. Kermit had it rough, but you don’t have to.
Knowing these energy-saving tips will make living green much easier and more enjoyable.