5 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Green is the new black! The need to conserve and make our homes more energy efficient is as important as ever. Thanks to new technology in an ever-changing world, being energy efficient is more practical than ever. Below are a few easy ways to make your home a little greener.
Lower your thermostat
One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is as simple as lowering your thermostat. Doing so by a few degrees when you’re away from home not only saves energy, but money as well. Did you know you could save as much as 10% on heating and air conditioning by turning down your thermostat by only 7 degrees?
During the summertime temperatures are typically higher. Set your thermostat to a comfortable level, but be mindful of the overall temperature. In the winter, try setting your thermostat slightly lower when you are away or asleep. Thermostats can typically be adjusted manually but “smart” thermostats can be programmed to return temperatures to normal levels before returning home or waking up. This small change can make your home more energy efficient and put money back into your pocket.
Turn off unnecessary water
Not only is turning off unnecessary water a good practice for making your home more energy efficient, but it’s also good practice for general conservation. There are a few ways to abide by this energy efficiency practice including: turning off the water when you brush your teeth, only running full loads of laundry/dishes, and picking the appropriate time to water landscapes.
The average homeowner can save almost $200 a year by altering their water usage habits with small changes. Being conscious of running water whether it’s shaving, brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or taking a shower can conserve water, money, and create a greener lifestyle.
Get rid of “energy vampires”
An “energy vampire” can be defined as electric power consumed by electronic appliances while they are switched off or in a standby mode. An example of this is a device that contains no power-off switch. Collectively energy vampires can be responsible for a higher energy bill. Energy vampires lurk in our homes without even realizing it. Common examples of energy vampires include the “brick” extension of phone chargers, and other devices that contain a large plug. These consume energy even when they’re not being used.
Controlling these are easier than we think and identifying them is the first step. We can make our homes more energy efficient by unplugging devices we don’t use all that often. Because unplugging things and plugging them back in can be obnoxious, another solution for constant energy conservation is to use power strips. Power strips often have an on/off switch allowing you to turn them all off when they’re not needed.
Perform an energy audit
Consider a more permanent solution to make your home more energy efficient. Hire a professional to perform an energy audit to your home. This will help pinpoint areas that need improvement and help you save some money. At SameDay Heating and Air a professional can perform an energy audit, checking your HVAC and fix any leaky faucets or toilets you may have.
Replace old lightbulbs
This is an option that might cost a little bit more time and money to initially make the jump to becoming more energy efficient. The long-term benefits outweigh the pain to change out your lightbulbs now. By replacing your incandescent lights for fluorescent lights, you will have the same amount of light omitted while using less energy. In addition, fluorescent lights have a much longer lifespan than incandescent lights, thus needing to be replaced less frequently.
Making your home more energy efficient shouldn’t give you headache. Let us do the work! With these easy tips and tricks, you too can live a greener lifestyle. If your energy bill is higher than you like contact the professionals at SameDay Heating and Air. To learn more, or schedule an appointment, give us a call at (801) 726-3329
