You’re wondering how to make your home more energy efficient. You’re not the only one. Many home owners are looking to reduce their bills, increase comfort and minimize their impact on the environment.
But actually going about the process of making your home as efficient as possible is challenging. Being frugal with energy isn’t something that many homes are designed to do.
Fortunately, there are approaches that you can take. We look at some low-cost and quick wins, as well as bigger investments that you might want to make if you’re considering staying in your property long-term.
Seal drafts and air leaks around doors and windows
One of the first things that you’ll want to do is seal drafts and air leaks around doors and windows. You can get companies like Mr Remodel Windows to do all this for you.
This approach is low cost and high reward. Once you eliminate drafts, you’ll soon discover that your property is very good at retaining heat or preventing hot summer weather from getting inside. It’s just a question of plugging the gaps professionally so the air can’t move as freely. Ideally, the only air that exchanges in your house should be through vents.
Unplug vampire appliances
The next thing you’ll want to do is unplug your so-called vampire appliances and devices. These are things like TVs, chargers, and kitchen units that drain energy. If you’re not sure how much electricity a specific appliance is draining while you’re not using it, then you could hook it up to a multimeter. These tell you the power draw, and you can then use this to infer the cost of time. If you discover anything that’s consuming more than a couple of cents a day, then unplug it and look for alternatives.
Change your thermostat habits
If you can change your thermostat habits, then that could be another big win for your home. Simply reducing the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees in the winter or while you’re sleeping can have an enormous effect on your bills at the end of the month. Often you’ll wind up spending significantly less than you anticipated.
Upgrade to Energy Star appliances
Another thing you might want to look into, if you have a bigger budget, is upgrading your appliances. Energy Star appliances include dryers, washers, and refrigerators. If these bear the Energy Star mark, then it means that they use significantly less energy than conventional appliances. Over the long run, they can save you a lot of money.
Replace your windows and doors
If you can do the same with your windows and doors, then you might be able to lower your energy bills even further. Many people have found that replacing windows and doors with Energy Star-rated ones cuts their energy loss by between 10% and 15%. You can also coat windows in special reflective surfaces that keep infrared radiation inside your home, allowing it to stay warmer for longer.
So there you have it, some of the ways to make your home more energy efficient.