Energy efficiency is very important to many people. In fact, 48% of buyers who are more interested in brand new homes than older ones cite energy efficiency as their most desired feature. Being energy efficient can not only save you money; it also helps to preserve the climate in your area. If you’re unsure about how you can be more energy efficient at home, there are many steps you can take. Here are four options to help you get started.
Keep Up With Maintenance
If your home is well-maintained, it is going to be more energy efficient. So don’t neglect housework or put it off for too long. Otherwise, your systems will begin to break down and stop working as efficiently as they could. This includes everything from electricity to heating to water. A typical household water leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water each year, which the EPA says is the equivalent of 270 extra loads of laundry. This could be reduced significantly with some simple repairs.
Check Your Insulation
A well-insulated house will keep the air from leaking in or out. This means you’ll spend less money heating or cooling your home during harsh weather. If you haven’t checked your insulation, you should do so. There might be areas of your home that have little to no insulation in them. The warm or cool air will easily escape through these spots, causing your system to have to work harder to maintain the temperature. This will use more electricity, oil, or gas. You can often have your energy company do an audit on your home that will include checking for weak insulation. Do this and then add more insulation where necessary. It will cut your energy costs significantly. In fact, proper maintenance to your HVAC system and home insulation can reduce your costs by 30%.
Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
When it comes time for you to replace your appliances, look for the ones that are energy efficient. These models use less energy in order to do the same work. These can be anything from refrigerators to toilets, so do some research before you choose a new appliance for your home. An energy efficient model might cost you about the same amount of money while also reducing your energy usage. You can research all of your options by going online or asking for help at your local hardware store or other retailer.
Turn Off Devices
While this is a very simple thing to do, it is often neglected. Turning off your devices when they’re not in use can be a great way to make your home more energy efficient. Switch off lights, TVs, computers, and other electronics when you are done with them. This will only take you a few seconds longer and it will save energy.
You should also unplug unused chargers. While they might not be using much energy when you aren’t using them, they do use a little. This amount can build over time and with multiple chargers. So get into the habit of unplugging in order to make your home even more energy efficient.
Being energy efficient is good for you and good for the environment. So it is worth putting in the extra effort to do so. Both small and large actions can make a difference. Something like unplugging a phone charger only takes a second. If you’re buying a new showerhead, purchasing a low-flow version won’t change much. In fact, you’ll save money and help keep the environment healthy. Take these tips and apply them to your own life in order to become more energy efficient.