Most of us are trying to do our best to help save the planet as much as possible, by reducing our carbon footprint, recycling as much as possible, and lowering our energy usage as best we can. Speaking of lowering our energy usage, do you feel you have an energy efficient home? If not, we can help. In this post, we will take a look at some of the major areas of energy consumption in your home and what you can do to reduce your energy usage and your energy costs. You might be amazed at just how much the following simple and straightforward steps can really help you to lead a more eco-friendly life!
6 Simple Steps Towards A More Energy-Efficient Home
1. Replace Your Windows
Older homes especially suffer from single pane, drafty windows that leak air and lose heat. If this is your situation, consider replacing them. Newer windows are dual or triple-paned, making them a better investment for your money. Personally, I'd rather spend money on energy efficient windows than hand my hard earned money over to the electric company. Wouldn't you?
If you're not sure if your windows are truly damaged or just f-ugly, check out this article from Pella on five signs your windows need to be replaced. You can also look online for help with finding the right window team, who can help you choose the right window for your budget. After all, replacing windows is a pricey endeavor, and you want to make sure you're making the right decision for your home.
2. Upgrade The Boiler
How you heat your home is just as important as how you keep the heat in so you need to consider upgrading the boiler if it is older and / or inefficient. According to bobvila.com, a good rule of thumb is 50 BTU per square foot of interior space in a cold climate; 35 BTU per square foot in a moderate climate; and 20 BTU per square foot in a hot climate. If you're shopping for a new boiler, be sure to look for an Energy-Certified model, which meets strict guidelines from the US EPA.
If your boiler is ten years old or less, give the pros a call to see about cleaning and maintaining your boiler. Chances are, you can lower your energy bills just by having it maintained properly.
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3. Lower Your Thermostat
It doesn’t always take huge sweeping changes in order to make your home more eco-friendly. Sometimes all you really need to do is to change a habit or two. For instance, if you tend to set your thermostat at a steady 68-70 degrees in the winter, try getting in the habit of lowering it in the evenings. According to Energy Hub, the average homeowner can save up to 5% in heating costs for every degree your thermostat is lowered (between 65-70 degrees). Even reducing your thermostat for one degree can save you 1% on energy bills in winter!
You can even purchase a smart thermostat that can raise and lower the temperature according to presets, so you can set it and forget it.
It doesn’t always take huge sweeping changes in order to make your home more eco-friendly. Sometimes all you really need to do is to change a habit or two. For instance, if you tend to set your thermostat at a steady 68-70 degrees in the winter, try getting in the habit of lowering it in the evenings. According to Energy Hub, the average homeowner can save up to 5% in heating costs for every degree your thermostat is lowered (between 65-70 degrees). Even reducing your thermostat for one degree can save you 1% on energy bills in winter!
You can even purchase a smart thermostat that can raise and lower the temperature according to presets, so you can set it and forget it.
  Google Nest Smart Thermostat, amazon.com |
  Honeywell Home Smart Color Thermostat, amazon.com |
4. Choose Renewable Energy
An eco-friendly home can take advantage of the sun in a couple of different ways. First, new home builds can include larger windows that face in the sun's direction, as well as adding brick and stone throughout the home as much as possible; these natural materials help to retain heat.
The other way, of course, is to install solar panels, a wonderful source of renewable energy. A single solar panel in the United States tends to generate roughly 2 kWh per day, which saves about $0.36 on electricity costs per day, on average.
5. Reduce Electricity Consumption
One of the simplest ways to reduce your electricity consumption is by replacing all your light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. These are more durable and don’t generate much heat. They can be fitted outdoors as well as can withstand almost all harsh weather conditions. Make sure you switch off lights and appliances when you’re not using them and consider investing in newer models. More recent designs of things like washing machines, ovens and dishwashers are much more energy-efficient. You can even buy these second-hand to save a few bucks.
If you want to create more light without wasting electricity there are a few interior design techniques you can follow. Stick to white and light color for walls and ceilings and choose patterns for furnishings with white in the design to scatter light around.
6. Reuse & Recycle
If your parts of your home's exterior are looking worn, don't start budgeting for repairs and replacements until you speak with an expert first. For example, your home's siding might look tired and aged, but all it may need is a professional power washing. The same holds true for siding, windows and doors, as these are the parts of your home's exterior that take the biggest beating from the elements, and may just need a good cleaning in order to be brought back to life.
As far as your interiors go, opt for sustainable, natural materials. This means natural stone, marble, and good quality woods, like bamboo. These materials will help to create a more timeless look in your home, which is also a boon if you are considering your home's resale value. If you have a store like Habitat For Humanity nearby, check them out before you shop retail. They will often have well-made, second hand furniture, fixtures and finishes available for purchase at discounted prices.
Shopping second hand and decorating with timeless pieces and antique furnishings will add a quirky and unique style to your home without wasting emissions on the manufacturing of new products. Cheap, mass-produced items are heading right for the trash heap as they aren’t sustainable enough for today's environmentally-friendly generation.
If your parts of your home's exterior are looking worn, don't start budgeting for repairs and replacements until you speak with an expert first. For example, your home's siding might look tired and aged, but all it may need is a professional power washing. The same holds true for siding, windows and doors, as these are the parts of your home's exterior that take the biggest beating from the elements, and may just need a good cleaning in order to be brought back to life.
As far as your interiors go, opt for sustainable, natural materials. This means natural stone, marble, and good quality woods, like bamboo. These materials will help to create a more timeless look in your home, which is also a boon if you are considering your home's resale value. If you have a store like Habitat For Humanity nearby, check them out before you shop retail. They will often have well-made, second hand furniture, fixtures and finishes available for purchase at discounted prices.
Shopping second hand and decorating with timeless pieces and antique furnishings will add a quirky and unique style to your home without wasting emissions on the manufacturing of new products. Cheap, mass-produced items are heading right for the trash heap as they aren’t sustainable enough for today's environmentally-friendly generation.
Do you have any tips for saving energy at home? Let us know in the comments below.
