Energy efficiency is a trend that everyone should follow. There are a huge number of reasons that you should make your home energy efficient, from saving your money to reducing your carbon footprint on the world. However, since it is still a relatively new concept, you might wonder how you can make your home energy-efficient.
Here are some home upgrades that you can get to achieve an energy-efficient household.
Switch Your Lights
It is time to switch your old incandescent light bulbs for CFL or LED bulbs. They can help reduce how much energy you consume, which can lead to great savings since lighting can be one-third of your home’s electricity bill. Plus, LED and CFL bulbs last a lot longer and produce less heat, so they will benefit you in more ways than one. If you want to add more natural light into your home to use less energy, you could add a skylight or sunroom to your home. As a bonus, it could add value to your home.
Solar Energy
When we think about going green, we often think about alternative energy sources. Luckily, many of us can choose green energy by getting solar panels. While this form of clean energy may cost a bit of cash at first, that is only the initial payment. The solar panels will practically pay for themselves. They require little maintenance and will give your home free energy year-round. You can search for a commercial solar company in your area to help you get your solar panels set up.
Windows and Doors
If you notice that you keep lowering or raising the thermostat but still do not get the temperature that you want, the thermostat or the weather may not be at fault. Look at your doors and windows – do you notice if there is any space or cracks that will let air seep in or out? You should grab some sealants to fix that issue quickly. You can also switch your single pane windows for energy-efficient windows to keep cooled or heated air inside your home effectively.
Water System
Other than energy, water is another precious resource that we should try to conserve. You can get low-flow plumbing fixtures, such as toilets and showerheads, to get the job done while using less water. Plus, some models are adjustable, which means you can manually set it to your desired preference.
What is great about this option is that they are easy to install and are cheap, so you can easily implement this energy-efficient upgrade in your home. If you want to take it up a notch, you can get a tankless water heater to use less energy since it heats hot water as needed rather than keeping the water hot 24/7.
New Kitchen Equipment
The kitchen may not look like it, but it could eat a lot of energy. For instance, your old oven and refrigerator might take a chunk out of your electricity bill. You should find more energy-efficient ones to replace the old ones. Another great benefit of doing this is that these upgrades can add value to your house.
Achieving an energy-efficient home does not have to be difficult. Try out any of these ideas to save money and mother earth.
