With energy costs ever on the increase, more families are considering ways to make their homes greener and more energy efficient. Of course, it is also important to remember that being energy-conscious reduces your carbon footprint. There are many simple energy saving tips to help you maintain a greener lifestyle. Here are a few to get you started.
1. Use energy-efficient products
There are simple energy-saving concepts that you should immediately implement. Examples are turning off lights when you’re not using a room and switching off electronics when they’re not needed. However, even when your lights and other devices are switched on, you can still save energy. Purchase energy-saving light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances. Many of these products display the EnergyStar or the yellow EnergyGuide label, to help you identify them.
2. Plan your usage
Planning your energy usage is a good place to start. You don’t necessarily have to cut down on the things you enjoy. However, you can try to save your laundry until you have a full load, or even multiple loads. When you’re boiling water for a hot drink, try to use only as much as you need for that drink. If you have some left over, you can use that to wash dishes. Consider investing in multi-room thermostats, so that you may adjust your heating and cooling needs to just the rooms in use.
3. Invest in green energy sources
Another thing you might want to consider is investing in renewable energy sources for your home. Solar panels can be fitted to your roof to minimize your electricity usage. Alternately, you could invest in a solar water heater. The initial cost of having it installed by a plumber will eventually pay itself off, while decreasing your usage of finite resources. Electric water heaters are also more energy efficient. Heating your home can be a natural task as well. Great energy saving tips include leaving your blinds up and windows down during the day, allowing you to use the sun to heat up your home!
4. Maintain your home
Maintenance plays a large role in energy efficiency, especially in older homes. Carrying out simple maintenance on your home can have a significant impact on your energy usage, and can be a simple as:
- Getting your heating and cooling systems checked out each year by a licensed professional
- Investing in double-glazed windows
- Installing roof insulation
- Cleaning or replacing AC filters regularly will help to maintain the system’s efficiency.
Maintaining your home after any type of natural disaster, such as a hurricane, also makes a big difference. Do not settle for quick fixes on the account of cost. You will pay for it in the long run. Instead hire a professional to repair broken pipes and heavy leaks.
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These are just a few energy saving tips you cam implement now. But there are many ways to improve your home environment to reduce costs and conserve valuable resources. Try to shave a few minutes off of your shower, use extra blankets and lower your thermostat at night, and shop wisely. Don’t forget to hire a professional to fix serious repairs when needed.