The importance of having an energy-efficient home cannot be gainsaid. Energy efficiency simply means using less energy to do more. Some of the benefits of having an energy-efficient home include, but are not limited to, cost savings on energy bills, preservation of the environment, and enhancement of the quality of life. While it might sound like a difficult thing to achieve, it is actually quite easy to make your home energy-efficient, and it will not cost you much. You can get an energy audit done on your home in order to know where you are already doing well, and where you can make improvements. Here is how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency.
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances
While it might not be possible to replace all your home appliances at once, you can do this slowly over time. Replace your older appliances with newer, more efficient appliances in order to reduce your energy consumption. If your house is over 20 years old, you probably need to replace most of the appliances as a lot of technological advancements have been made over the years, and you can benefit greatly from these.
Your HVAC unit is one of the things you must replace if you have not already done so. HVAC technology has changed greatly over the last two decades and you can significantly reduce your electricity bills by getting a modern one. Get a good HVAC company to help you choose a good HVAC unit for your home and do the installation for you. Other appliances you should replace are your refrigerator, oven and laundry machine, among others. Be sure to check their Energy Star ratings when purchasing.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat
This makes it possible for your heating system to automatically change the thermostat settings according to the requirements. For instance, if you accidentally left your HVAC on and no one is home, it can switch it off in order to prevent energy wastage. You may also be able to control the thermostat remotely using your phone.
- Improve your home’s lighting
You can do this by switching to the more energy-efficient CFL or LED lights if you are not already using either. You should also try and incorporate natural lighting in order to eliminate the need for using artificial lighting during the day. This can be done by use of skylights or by increasing the size of your windows. Apart from helping you save on electricity costs, using natural lighting also improves your home’s aesthetic appeal.
- Improve your home’s insulation
This will prevent loss of heat from the house and make it easier to regulate indoor temperature. You can improve your home’s insulation by sealing your windows and doors with a good insulating material. Alternatively, you can install modern windows and doors that are made in such a way that they prevent indoor air from escaping to the outside, hence maintaining indoor temperatures at the required level. If you have an attic, consider adding a layer of insulation there as well.
