These days, people want to do whatever they can to conserve energy. This is commendable as it not only reduces energy costs, but also benefits the environment.
Energy efficient homes have risen in popularity. These homes reduce greenhouse gas emissions, unnecessary energy consumption and minimize the demand for non-renewable energy resources. They conserve energy and provide huge savings over conventional homes.
If you are looking to buy an energy efficient house or simply need ideas on how to increase your home’s energy efficiency, here are some:
- Generate your own energy. Solar panels can be a great investment, enabling you to generate your own electricity and make savings on your energy bills. Installing solar panels on your roof might be expensive initially, but they are cost effective. The electricity produced can be used to light your home as well as heat water. Alternatively, depending on the location of your home, you may install wind turbines or ground and air source heat pumps for the same purpose.
- Improving insulation. Homes that are not properly insulated usually lose a lot of heat energy. To avoid this, you ought to make sure that your home’s thermal envelope (which includes loft/roof, windows and walls) is tightly sealed. These areas should be draft-proofed to avoid letting in unwanted gusts of cold air. To draft-proof your home, block up any unwanted cracks or gaps near or along windows, doors and walls
Windows in your home should likewise be appropriately dressed using thick, heavy drapes or window shutters. Plantation Shutters are excellent insulators and help to trap warm air inside the house. Saving warm air means that you will use less energy to heat your home, ensuring that it is pleasantly toasty while reducing your energy costs.
These days, most companies should be able to give you an eco option when you purchase your shutters. So make sure you ask for and purchase eco-friendly shutters to help the environment.
- Installing smart meters. By showing you how much energy you use and its cost, these meters will help you keep track of your home’s energy consumption. This awareness will help you learn where you need to cut back or conserve energy to save costs.
- Saving water. Additionally, you can install low-flow water fixtures in the bathrooms, kitchen and toilets. These fixtures allow you to use up less water without compromising on the pressure. This way, you can conserve both water and the energy used to heat it up.
- Lighting fixtures. Another great way to make your home more energy efficient is by replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs. The latter use less electricity and last up to 12 times longer than the former. Other cost efficient lighting fixtures include LEDs and spotlights.
- Energy efficient appliances. As you shop for new appliances to make your home more energy efficient, look for those that have the Energy Star Certification. These may cost you a bit more in the beginning, but they will save you cash in the long run as they are designed to use less electricity.
As you can see, it doesn’t take much to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Make a few changes from time to time and eventually your home will be an eco-friendly abode.