Making your home more energy-efficient doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little bit of effort (and some help from the pros), you can make your home more comfortable and save money on your energy bills.
Here are 8 tips to get you started.
1. Get a professional energy audit.
An energy audit is like a physical for your home. Just as you visit the doctor to check that your body is running optimally, an energy audit assesses how your home is using (or not using) energy.
The audit will identify where your home is losing energy and what improvements you can make to make your home more efficient. As our homes are increasingly powered by renewable energy, it’s more important than ever to make sure they are as efficient as possible.
2. Upgrade your insulation.
Poor insulation is one of the biggest sources of energy loss in homes. If your home is more than 20 years old, chances are it could use an upgrade. Speaking of insulation upgrade, you can contact the best contactors around Ohio like iFoam in Greater Northwest Columbus. Also, the attic insulation is particularly important, so make sure that’s up to par.
3. Seal up air leaks.
Another big source of energy loss is air leaks around doors and windows. Caulking and weatherstripping are easy do it your-own (DIY) fixes that can make a big difference. You can also have your windows professionally sealed for even better results.
4. Invest in double-paned windows.
Windows are one of the key places where homes lose energy and money. In the winter, heat escapes through single-paned windows, raising your heating bills. In the summer, the reverse happens as your air conditioner works overtime to combat the heat coming in through your windows.
Double-paned windows can help solve both of these problems. By creating a barrier between two layers of glass, double-paned windows help to insulate your home and keep the temperature consistent.
5. Install a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat makes it easy to save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature when you’re not home or when you’re asleep. They’re relatively inexpensive, so there’s no reason not to have one (or several). Aside from programmabale thermostats are not that expensive, shelling out some bucks for one time to buy it is better than paying extras on your bills on monthly basis.
6. Let the sun shine in.
In the winter, open up the curtains on south-facing windows to let in natural warmth from the sun. In the summer, do the opposite and keep those curtains closed to keep the hot sun rays getting inside your home.
7. Get a smart power strip.
A smart power strip saves energy by cutting off power to devices when they’re not in use (like your TV when it’s in standby mode). They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to find at most electronics stores.
8. Educate your family and friends about conserving energy .
The more people who know about conserving energy, the more we can all save! Talk about saving energy with loved ones, work colleagues, and even strangers. Every bit helps .
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient. Energy efficiency is important for saving money, reducing our carbon footprint, and protecting our environment for future generations . So what are you waiting for? Start saving today!