Tired and Tested Ways To Make Your Home Energy Efficient This Winter
In order to keep the house warm and cozy, people use heaters, electric blankets, humidifiers, and whatnot. Using all these appliances often increases the carbon footprint and electric consumption. As a result, the electricity bill also rises.
Now the question is- Can you reduce your electricity bill without compromising with the warmth? The answer is YES. There are numerous tried and tested ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Typically, these are divided into three categories:
Sealing And Insulating Your House Properly
Did you know that approximately 28% of the home’s energy loss is due to poor insulation? In a house with single-pane windows or aluminum sliders, this loss can rise up to 50%. That’s why you must pay attention to the signs of damage such as broken seals, unusual drafts, or condensation.
If you see any of these signs, you should call the professionals for attic insulation, air sealing, and blower door testing. It will help prevent leaks; thus, your space will stay warm without increasing energy consumption.
You can also consider replacing and repairing your doors and windows to elevate the home’s energy efficiency furthermore.
Upgrading Your Appliances
Old appliances tend to consume more energy but do not provide desired results. Therefore, it is recommended to repair all the home appliances regularly. In case any of your devices are pretty old or highly depreciated, it would be a good idea to get a new one. Even so, make sure to:
Replace the old unit with energy star-certified models.
Reduce water waste by installing low-flow showerheads, toilets, and washing machines.
Change the air filters regularly. It will help improve the efficiency of appliances.
Upgrade to high-efficiency water heaters. (The ideal temperature of the water heaters should be between 120 to 140 degrees.)
Follow Energy Efficient Practices
Apart from the heating and cooling appliances, your phone, gaming consoles, TV boxes, laptop, etc., also consumes a lot of energy. According to data, all these devices have the potential to use more power as compared to a medium-sized energy star refrigerator. These devices are often plugged in; thus, they consume considerable energy regularly. So, you should focus on reducing their energy consumption using the following steps:
Turn off your computer, TV, light, and other electronics when not in use.
Plant trees or flowers around your house to reduce carbon emissions.
Replace the old light bulbs with LED or solar lights.
If you are using any appliance as a backup, it would be best to unplug them as they probably consume extra energy.
Install a programmable thermostat to prevent unnecessary heating, especially when you are not home.
Make sure of renewable resources such as solar energy.
Make sure to turn off everything when you are going out of the house or on vacation.
The Bottom Line
Implementing the measures mentioned above will help reduce your carbon footprint while ensuring you enjoy this winter season carefree. Nevertheless, you should also consider getting an energy audit. It will help you learn about heat loss and gain to help you take timely measures to protect your house.
