Useful apps, smart tech, and transportation efficiencies are making it easier for us to live efficiently. With all this at our fingertips, you might wonder why the world is not greener. If all of us took the chance to live greener lives, we would have a significant effect on energy bills as well as the earth. Here are some tips that will make your home more energy efficient:
Lower Your Thermostat
You should start the habit of lowering your thermostat whenever you are not at home. When you lower the temperature by at least three degrees, you will see a big reduction in your monthly energy bill. According to EZ Heat Zone, lowering your thermostat by 10-15 degrees when you are not home can help you to save between 5 and 15 percent per year.
Seal All Windows
You need to prevent heat loss by sealing all the windows in your home. If you have drafty windows, you should consider installing some weather-stripping on the frames. If you notice cracks in the drywall, you can use silicone caulk to cover them. This is the most inexpensive way to save on your energy bills.
Unplug Unused Chargers
Battery and cell phone chargers that are plugged in but not being used still siphon energy. A charger will consume at least 0.26 watts of energy when you are not using it. Although this does not seem like much, when you put all the energy vampires together, they are responsible for at least 10 percent of your energy bill. For this reason, you need to unplug all your chargers when you are not using them.
Install Solar Panels
Although solar panel installation is not cheap, it will save you a lot of money in the end. You can use a solar panel to generate electricity and heat water thus lowering your energy bill significantly. Solar panels are installed on the roof and they can cut your energy bills in half.
Tune up the HVAC System
Doing an annual HVAC tune up will keep your AC unit and furnace running efficiently, which will save you money. A tune-up of your heating and cooling system will improve efficiency by making sure that coils are cleaned, connections are tightened, and parts are lubricated. When you tune up your HVAC system, you will not have to replace your furnace any time soon.
Start a Compost Pile
You do not need to have a large garden to start your own compost pile. What is a compost pile? It refers to the organic waste in a pile that decomposes over time. Starting a compost pile will reduce the amount of trash that you produce and provide you with some fresh fertilizer for your lawn.
Limit Space Heater Use
Although gas and electric space heaters do the job of keeping your feet warm during winter, they are not very efficient. Space heaters consume up to 1,500 watts and are the fastest way to increase your energy bill. Before you purchase a space heater, make sure that it is an energy-efficient model. Moreover, you should consider layering on more clothes instead of cranking the thermostat.
Do Not Wash using Hot Water
When possible, you should use cold water instead of hot when washing clothes. Ninety percent of the energy used by your washer is used to heat water. This means that you can save a lot of energy by using cold water.
The above tips will come in handy for people who want to make their homes greener. Even if you do not have money for upgrades, you can still make your home more energy efficient.
