We are quite lucky to be living during times when technology keeps making life easier. With all the fascinating innovations around us, now is the best time to start living greener. Those minor but necessary eco-friendly changes in our behavior might just be what’s needed to significantly impact the earth.
If you want to be more energy-efficient, here are some low-cost tips and changes you can make for a greener home.
Seal and Insulate Your Home
One of the most effective ways to make your home a lot more comfortable and to save energy is to insulate your home. This is a cost-effective move that can improve your indoor air quality and help you lower your energy bills. There are major areas in your home that you have to focus on eliminating leaks, and the roof is one such area. If you choose the right roofing material, you can lower your home’s energy consumption by about 30%.
The following are other places where leakages can take place:
- Electrical outlets
- Mail slots
- Window frames
- Around pipes and wires
- Attic hatches
Ensure that all these areas are properly insulated, and you will make huge strides towards making your home more energy-efficient. About 30% of all the leakage in your home occurs via doors and windows. You should seal the edges of windows and doors with caulk. It is quite affordable, and it won’t leave a dent in your finances.
Check Your Home for Leaks
Hot air has a tendency to rise. Therefore, air will most likely leak from areas that are high, like the attic. You need to check areas where the walls meet the attic door and in dropped ceiling walls. To find out the exact spots where the leakage takes place, check where the insulation is darkened. This shows that some dusty air is being filtered outside.
When it’s cold, you can spot areas where leakage is occurring by checking for frost on the insulation. Frost occurs when warm, moist air hits the cold attic air and freezes. This frost will also leave stains that you might not notice during warmer weather.
Other areas to check are around plumbing pipes and where electrical wires enter your home. Ensure that you properly cover these areas with insulation material. If you cannot properly check for leakage in your home, you can hire an energy auditor to assess your house and recommend all the necessary fixes.
Be Responsible With Appliance and Electronic Usage
Energy efficiency is fast becoming a trend nowadays. Approximately 48% of people looking to buy new homes indicate they are most interested in energy efficiency above all other factors. If you are interested in making your home energy efficient as well, electrical appliances are one area to watch closely. They account for almost 20% of the energy usage in your home.
The following are some tips that can help you reduce the amount of energy used by your appliances:
- Keep freezers and refrigerators away from the stove or any other heat-emitting appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines. Also, try to make sure you do not position them where they are exposed to direct sunlight. This will reduce the energy needed for them to remain cool.
- Shut down all appliances that are not in use. This includes TVs, computers, and radios.
- Buy ENERGY STAR-rated appliances. They are more energy-efficient and can reduce your energy bills significantly.
- Remove phone and laptop chargers from the sockets if they are not in use. They consume energy even if the device is not connected.
Consider Your Water Waste
There are several things you can do in your home to reduce your water waste. The first obvious step is to reduce the amount of water you use. You can install low-flow showerheads, shut off unnecessary running water, and avoid running half loads in the washing machine. This is not an exhaustive list, so you can keep on researching and finding ways to lower the water usage in your home.
Shop Small and Follow the Three Rs
One other way to go green is to shop your way to a healthier planet. Try to follow the three Rs in your home: reduce, reuse, and recycle. There are around 28 million small businesses in the United States, and all of them want you to buy their products or services. As much as you want to rush to take advantage of every promotion, the fact is that you can’t buy everything. Try to make the most of what you already have before you buy more. And when you do need to buy something, buy from a locally owned place rather than a big box store.
Below are some ways you can implement the three Rs in your home:
- Reduce. Buy goods that don’t need a lot of packaging to lower the amount of waste you produce.
- Reuse. Avoid single-use bags and mugs. Instead, when traveling, carry with you a water bottle or a stylish cup that you can reuse.
- Recycle. Contribute towards the recycling of paper, plastic, glass, magazines, and electronics.
Homeowners who invest their time into being more energy-efficient usually find out that they get lower bills and save more money. Therefore, being energy efficient will not only save the planet, but it will also benefit you, your family, and your wallet.
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