11 Ways to Have More Energy Efficient Homes

Do you want more energy-efficient homes? I am sharing 11 ways to have a greener and more energy-efficient home.

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We are definitely very fortunate to live in a time that is filled with innovation and technology that help to make our lives easier. An abundance of smart technology, helpful apps, and efficient transport means that we can live our lives with much efficiency and have some aspects of our lives taken care of for us. But with all of this, how much do we make the most of it in our homes, to make sure that our homes are working as efficiently as possible? In particular, being as energy-efficient as possible.

Even just making one change in the home can make a difference in how much energy is used. That not only impacts the environment and the planet’s resources, but it does also have a knock-on impact on your finances. If everyone everywhere did one thing in their homes, then it could mean some really positive news for the environment.

If you are keen to make some changes, but just aren’t sure what is going to be the best option or even where to start, then here are some of the things that you can do. They will all be things to make your home ‘greener’ and more efficient, but they will also include a range of options, from low-costs changes to some pricier changes (that can be financially very worth it in the long run). Here are some changes to think about and consider what will work well for you.

11 Ways to Have More Energy Efficient Homes

1. LOWER YOUR THERMOSTAT

When it comes to autumn and winter, it will be time to start heating the home again. However, one simple trick that won’t cost you anything, but that can save you something, is to lower your thermostat slightly. Even dropping the thermostat by a couple of degrees can go a long way to reducing your monthly bills and the mean consumption of energy is less overall. You can still get a warm home, just at a very tiny temperature difference. It really is that simple.

2. START A COMPOST

If you have some kind of outdoor space, whether it is a large backyard, a patio, or a balcony, you can make use of the space and make it an eco-friendly place to be. Compost is where you take your organic and natural waste, such as eggshells, natural food waste like vegetable peelings, and cut them off, and put them into a box or specific compost container. This will then break down over time, and it can be used as a fertilizer for your own garden or for a neighbor. It helps to make your home a greener place to be as it means that you are throwing out less waste, but it also means that the food is broken down in the right way, rather than in landfill, where it can contribute to toxic gases in the air.

3. REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS

If you want to make your home energy-efficient, then you need to think about your windows and doors. The windows and doors that you have played a massive part in keeping the warm air in your homes, and stopping any outside air from coming in to cool it down. If you have older windows and doors, such as single-glazed or damaged windows or doors, then they will easily let warm air seep out. When this happens, you will feel like you are constantly heating the home as it will never feel any warmer. If you feel some kind of small breeze when you’re standing by your door or a window, then it is another sign that it is time to replace them. Look for the best window replacement company local to you, and get a quote. It is something that will cost you upfront, of course, but it is something that will make a difference to your home and energy bills over time.

4. SEAL ALL WINDOWS

If replacing your windows and doors isn’t something that you need to do right now, then have you thought about just resealing the windows and doors? If there are drafts in the home, then adding in some sealant or weatherstripping around the window frame will make a difference to any cool drafts that you can feel when standing by the window. Sealing any small gaps and cracks is something that is easy to do yourself, as well as it being inexpensive, which is a really good way to lower your energy bill costs.

5. REPLACE YOUR LIGHT BULBS TO CREATE ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES

If your home is filled with incandescent light bulbs, then it is time to make a switch. You can still get some great light in your home, but by using the most energy-efficient LED light bulbs, especially compared to these old kinds of light bulbs. Swapping them all out in your home can save money on your energy bill, but still, mean that you can light your home well.

6. STOP LEAVING PLUGS IN OR DEVICES ON STANDBY

If you leave your phone or laptop charger plugged in all day, with the switch on, then there is still power going through the cable. That means you are using up electricity and will be paying for it! Of course, it is a low amount of electricity, but it will still make a difference if you think of all of the chargers and plugs in your home. You should also avoid leaving devices on standby. If the TV is switched off but has its standby red light on, then there is still electricity going to the device in order to have the red light. Switch things off at the mains, and it will make a difference in the home. These small things can make up to 10% off your energy bill, so you can save a good amount by unplugging and switching off when not in use.

adding diy laundry hack cleaner to washing machine

7. WASH WITH COLD WATER TO HAVE ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES

When you do your laundry, you use up so much water! If you need to heat the water to a high temperature, then it can take a lot of energy in order to heat the water to the right temperature. The good news is that many laundry detergent products are proven to work in a cold wash, so there shouldn’t be a concern that your laundry won’t get clean. Wash with cold water and you will have clean clothes that cost a lot less to wash each time.

8. CONSIDER INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES

Solar panels aren’t something that comes cheaply, however, for modern homes, they are growing and growing in popularity. The energy that they generate can be used to heat homes, as well as water, and generate electricity for all the home’s uses. It means that you are self-sufficient too, not needing to rely on getting your power from anywhere else; you provide your own. So if it sounds like something that you could afford, then it can make a really big difference to your energy bills, as they will be practically non-existent. Do some research into it, but there are a number of benefits, including some tax incentives.

9. HAVE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM SERVICED

Getting service on your HVAC system each year will make sure that it is running as efficiently as possible. This is going to save you money each month, whether using the furnace for heating or the air conditioning for cooling. This kind of check-up for your HVAC will also mean that connections are working well and it is all cleaned thoroughly. This will mean it will prolong the life of your system and means that it works well when needed. This can save thousands of dollars each year, especially if it would mean replacing a furnace.

10. ADD INSULATION TO YOUR ATTIC

Insulation is a common solution for helping to seal air leaks and to make sure that your home keeps warm and doesn’t waste any heating. This works well when trying to keep the home cool too, so it does make a difference. It can be a day’s work for someone to install insulation in your attic, so there are some costs involved, but due to heat rising, it can be a great tool for the home to keep the air in and reduce your energy bill.

11. REDUCE HOW MUCH WATER YOU WASTE

According to data, average homeowners can save nearly $200 a year by reducing the amount of water that they waste and by making some small changes to the water usage. For example, do you leave the tap running when you are brushing your teeth? This isn’t necessary, so switch the faucet off when brushing your teeth. Does your family tend to have more baths than showers? Although relaxing, bathing uses more than triple the amount of water that a shower does. The same goes for doing a half load of laundry; you will use the same amount of water but be washing fewer clothes, so there really is little point to it as it wastes so much water. Wait until you have a full load. When you save water, you also save money.

More ideas for energy efficient homes

check your energy use and see if you can adjust it to use less energy easily
update your heat pumps
check your energy costs and usage, by avoiding big appliances during peak times you can decrease your energy usage and gain energy savings.
plant trees to grow and create a cool roof
get an energy efficient colling system
reduce your carbon footprint
let in natural light
adjust with the climate change
look into solar energy, solar power and renewable energy sources
get a home energy score
update your ventilation system
update your water heating
invest in a smart home
purchase and set programmable thermostats
check that you have proper insulation
look for ways to lower your utility bills and focus on energy conservation
purchase energy-efficient appliances
use clothes washers but not dryers
change your hot water systems and get a better water heater
look for the energy star program and energy star ratings when investing in new home appliances
block direct sunlight in the summer heat
check for air leakage and repair it
get new windows