If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we all want our electricity bills to be lower. Most of us would prefer to lessen the carbon impact of our homes. But how are we going to get there?
In the home, energy efficiency simply means using less energy to perform the same duties. It can be done on any budget, and it can range from using energy-efficient appliances to being conscious of standby power.
Let’s look at why energy efficiency is important and how you might achieve it in your own home.
Why do we need to use less energy?
Simply put, energy efficiency is important for two reasons: protecting the environment and saving money.
Environmental benefits: Burning fossil fuels including coal, gas liquids, natural gas, and petroleum for energy generates the majority of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. With the undeniable relationship between these pollutants and climate change, it is more crucial than ever to reduce emissions. On the demand side, energy efficiency seeks to address this problem. The requirement for fossil fuel-generated electricity is reduced when sustainable power is used in the home, which is fantastic news for the environment.
Financial savings: If the prospect of saving money isn’t enough of a motivator, there’s always the prospect of saving money. Power costs always appear to travel in one direction, which is up for most Americans. It’s reasonable to say that we’d all like to pay less for energy, but because we don’t get to set the prices, we’re only left with the choice of reducing our energy consumption.
With these considerations in mind, we’ve compiled a list of simple methods to make your home more energy efficient.
Lowering your cooling bills
For warmer climates, the recommended cooling temperature during the summer months is roughly 78°F. When you’re at home, set your air conditioner or thermostat to this setting. If you have a thermostat, make it a habit to raise it a few degrees at night or when you leave the house, especially on hot days. This is significant because when the weather is more harsh, your cooling and heating systems work harder. As a result, if the temperature outside is above 90°F, your air conditioner will have to work more to cool your room.
Bring down your heating bills
The same is true in the winter. In the winter, the ideal thermostat or air conditioner setting is roughly 68°F, but this, of course, depends on your environment. Remember to adjust your thermostat by lowering it down a little more before going to bed or leaving the house.
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, simply set it to these recommended temperatures for while you’re at home, out, and sleeping.
4 more ways to make your home energy efficient
While heating and cooling consume a significant amount of energy in our homes, they aren’t the only places where we should be mindful of our usage. Here are nine more strategies to make your house as energy efficient as possible:
1) Be on the lookout for energy vampires.
Even when you aren’t using your appliances, they consume energy. We call these people “energy vampires.” Microwave ovens, desktop computers, and televisions all use a tiny amount of electricity when plugged into an outlet.
While it may not appear to be a significant cost, adding up the energy usage of all your standby appliances over the course of a year could cost you a few dollars every month, depending on the efficiency of your devices. Even if you aren’t concerned about cost, it’s worth considering the environmental benefits of conserving energy in your home.
2) Make the switch to LED illumination.
Incandescent lights dominated the lighting industry before LED bulbs became widespread. If you haven’t changed your light bulbs in a while, or if you’re simply buying incandescent bulbs out of habit, consider converting to LED bulbs.
When compared to LEDs, incandescent bulbs use nearly six times the amount of energy, which may add up quickly when most houses rely on overhead lights and lamps at night..
3) Wash clothes in a responsible manner.
It is recommended that you wash your garments in cold or warm water whenever feasible. Switching from hot to warm water can reduce your energy use by half.
This is because hot water accounts for the majority of the energy required in laundry. Because hot water heating accounts for roughly 13% of your total energy consumption, it’s important to consider where you can save the most energy.
Unless you’re in a hurry, air-dry your clothes whenever possible. This will not only save energy, but it will also be better for your clothes.
4) Purchase things that are energy efficient.
The blue ENERGY STAR emblem may be found all over, and chances are you’ve seen it before. But do you truly understand what it means? Refrigerators, washers, dryers, heat pumps, and even light bulbs that are considered “energy-efficient” receive this accolade.
When you choose an ENERGY STAR qualifying appliance over a non-qualifying gadget, you will save energy. If you’re buying used and aren’t sure if your product will pass the test, get the model number so you can check its efficiency online.
Conclusion
It’s entirely up to you how energy efficient you want to make your home. If replacing items isn’t an option, you might start by modifying your energy usage habits rather than purchasing ENERGY STAR-certified products. However, when things go wrong and you’re stuck googling “cheapest energy-efficient washing machine,” having a home warranty plan that covers appliances can be a tremendous help.
However, if you’re stuck at any point and looking for good and reliable assistance when making your home energy efficient, Mass Energy Expert is just a call away! Contact us today.