Tips For An Energy Efficient Home

The environment has become an important topic for many and we all want to do our part to help improve the environment and live greener. Many just do not know where to start. This article will give you tips and tricks to make your home more energy-efficient. These useful home-owning tips will also save you money on your electricity bill so it is a win for the environment and for your wallet! read on for some easy ways to make your home more energy-efficient. 

Use a Programmable Thermostat

What is the difference between a programmable thermostat and a regular one? A programmable thermostat differs from an ordinary one in that a programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature. This adjustment is based on the settings you input into the system. You can set the temperatures lower or higher as per your preferences at different times of the day. For example, some people prefer to have it a little cooler at night for sleeping. This can save you energy in the winter as your furnace would be doing less heating. In the summer you can also set the Air conditioning to only run at certain times to avoid cooling your house as much while no one is home. These thermostats can save a lot of energy every year. 

Seal Air Leaks

If you have older windows this could be a great idea for a number of reasons but making your home more energy efficient is a great one. One way to check if your windows need sealing is to look for extra condensation on the window. This could be a sign of a window that is not properly sealed. Use caulking or weatherstripping to prevent air from leaking through windows or doors. 

This will allow less cold air to get into your home as well as prevent warm air from leaving in the winter. This will allow you to save money on heating your home and use less energy to control the temperature in your home. 

Replace Old Light Bulbs

If you have any old bulbs still kicking around make sure you swap them out for newer more energy-efficient bulbs. These bulbs will last longer and save you money! Some examples of bulbs you should use are ENERGY STAR certified compact fluorescent (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes which are more commonly known as LEDs.  

Insulate Hot and Cold Water Pipes

You can do this by insulating the first two metres of pipes with either foam sleeves or insulating wraps. This will reduce the cost of heating your water and even lower water consumption. This is because heat can escape the hot water tank through the cold and hot water pipes. Bare water pipes will also make you wait longer for hot water to come through the pipes. This means you will leave your tap on longer before your desired water temperature comes through if your pipes are not insulated. Save time, money and energy by insulating the first two metres of your pipes. 

Upgrade Your Exhaust Fans 

This is a bit of a bigger job but it can also make a big difference. Upgrade your exhaust fans to ENERGY STAR certified exhaust fans and make sure that they are venting outdoors. You can also use timers to make sure that your exhaust fans are not running endlessly for no reason. This makes the energy use more efficient and lowers overall energy consumption. 

Use Water-Saving Faucets

These helpful devices lower your overall water consumption which benefits a healthy environment. This can extend to showerheads and toilets as well. Faucet aerators mix air and water to restrict the flow of water without lowering the actual water pressure thereby reducing water consumption without actually impacting your life. 

An easier way to help reduce your water consumption to make sure your pipes re not leaky, even a minor leak can add up over time and cause you to use more water. 

Use Power Bars That Do Not Consume Standby Power

Replace any of your current power bars with models that have master plugs that do not consume standby power. You could also get one that has a timer so it is only consuming power when you actually need it. Regular power bars consume power even when nothing is turned on. This slow drip of power can add a lot to your power bill over time and waste energy. 

What Energy Efficient Upgrade will You Make First? 

Now that you have a few ideas for an energy-efficient home, which will you implement in your home first? These tips are great but ultimately habits can make an even bigger difference. Turn off the lights when you're not using a room, turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth, take quicker showers. These little habits add up to a greener earth and lower bills! Enjoy your greener home! 

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