Energy
How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Energy efficiency is a serious concern for most homeowners. One poll from 2013 found that 71% of homeowners rate it as a very important issue. Subsequent polls consistently showed it was the biggest concern of all.
Making your home energy efficient is an important part of reducing your carbon footprint and helping the world. Many people make changes in their daily life from buying reusable coffee cups to walking to work but not many people are aware of how they can adapt their home. In this article, we are going to look at some ways that you can make your home more energy efficient. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Control Your Water Waste
Many people across the world waste a lot of water every day. By putting the right measures in place, you can help to make your home more energy efficient. Small ways to save water include turning the water off when you are shaving or brushing your teeth. You would be surprised to know that would waste over five gallons of water every time you brush your teeth if you don’t turn the tap off between wetting your toothbrush and rinsing your mouth. North Carolina State University reports that you can save up to 200 gallons of water a month by not making this mistake, although the real figure is twice that if you are brushing your teeth twice a day like most people. You could also avoid taking too many showers in one day and try your best to avoid wasting water.
Consider Insulation
It is likely that you already have insulation throughout your home. But is it working effectively? If your insulation is old or not up to scratch, it could be costing you more on energy bills every month.
How much can you really save by improving the insulation of your home? According to the EPA, insulation can cut heating and cooling costs by an average of 15% a month. The figure can be even higher, depending on the age and condition of your home, the level of convection in the region you live and the temperature fluctuations in your area.
If you have a shed that you need to heat every year, you shouldn’t forget about insulating it. You’ll find that steel buildings like the ones from Armstrong Steel can save you a lot of money on your bills because of how great they are at insulating. Make sure to look out for a rigid frame steel building at their website here rather than a wood frame one to boost your energy efficiency.
Install Solar Panels
Another great way to make your home more energy efficient is by adding some solar panels. Solar panels are a little more expensive than the solutions listed above, but they can do a lot when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. You can install solar panels on your roof and you’ll be using less fossil fuel energy per month as well as saving money on energy bills.
Ask A Professional
If you’d really like to make your home more energy efficient but are unsure how to go about doing so properly, get some help from a professional. There are special companies that allow you to hire a professional energy auditor who will come out to your home and find out what you could do better. The energy auditor will look carefully at what you are doing and will let you know how you can make your home more energy efficient. This is a great way of saving money on your bills each month and reducing your carbon footprint
Final Verdict
Making your home more energy efficient is very important. If you are not already taking these precautions then you should get started as soon as possible. Take some time to look around your home or hire a professional and you will be able to see what you can be doing better. Sometimes, the little fixes can make all the difference so make sure not to waste water or under-fill your washing machine!