Making your home more energy efficient can save you money on heating and cooling bills every month. The cost of installing new appliances, windows, doors, or other items may seem like a hefty upfront investment, but the long-term savings can more than make up for it.The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a typical home can reduce its energy consumption by 30 percent just by making a few simple changes. The following tips will help you get started with your own home energy audit and identify ways to make it more energy efficient. They also provide resources for learning more about how to make your home more energy efficient at no cost to you. Read on for tips on how to make your home more energy efficient and ways to reduce your carbon footprint at the same time!
Have a Home Energy Audit
The first step in making your home more energy efficient is to have a home energy audit done. A home energy audit will take a look at your home’s heating and cooling system, water usage, appliances, and other areas of your home that may be contributing to high energy consumption. The audit will also help you identify areas where you can make improvements that will save you money on energy bills.A home energy audit can help you identify ways to reduce your home’s energy consumption and costs. It can also help you identify potential sources of funding for making your home more energy efficient. If you live in a community with a home energy savings program, you may be able to receive a rebate for installing energy-efficient appliances or other measures to make your home more energy efficient. You can also apply for funding from government programs, like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Install Smart Lighting
One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is to install smart lighting. Smart lighting systems use sensors and controls to automatically adjust the brightness of lights based on the time of day, the amount of natural light in your home, and other factors. This can help you reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.Smart lighting systems can be installed in any room of your home. Some companies even offer kits that can be installed in just one afternoon. You can also purchase pre-made lighting kits that can be installed in just a few hours with the help of a contractor.One of the main benefits of smart lighting is that it can be remotely controlled from a smartphone app, so you can adjust the lights to suit your mood or the time of day without having to walk around in the dark. You can also use the app to schedule or set lighting scenes, which can help you save energy by turning the lights off when you don’t need them.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Another simple way to make your home more energy efficient is to install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature of your home at different times throughout the day. This is especially helpful in hot and cold weather, when it’s easy to overheat or undercool your home.A programmable thermostat can help you reduce your energy consumption by up to 10 percent. This can add up to a significant amount over the course of a year. One study estimates that the average American home can save between $100 and $500 a year by installing a programmable thermostat.Some programmable thermostats also allow you to adjust the temperature based on the time of year. This can help you save money and energy by adjusting the temperature to suit the time of year. You can save even more money and energy by adjusting the temperature during certain times of day, like when you’re at work.
Add Insulation
Another simple way to make your home more energy efficient is to add insulation to your attic, walls, and any other areas that are not weather-protected. Adding insulation to your attic can reduce your home’s energy consumption by up to 10 percent.The cost of installing insulation can be high, but it can pay for itself over time. One study found that the cost of installing insulation and making other energy efficiency improvements in a home can be recouped within five years.
Add a Double-Pane Windows
If you live in a temperate climate, you can also make your home more energy efficient by adding double-pane windows. Double-pane windows are made up of two layers of glass, with a layer of insulation in between. This can help you reduce your home’s energy consumption by up to 10 percent.The cost of installing double-pane windows can be high, but it can pay for itself over time. One study found that the cost of installing double-pane windows and making other energy efficiency improvements in a home can be recouped within five years.
Conclusion
Making your home more energy efficient can help you save money on heating and cooling bills every month. The cost of installing new appliances, windows, doors, or other items may seem like a hefty upfront investment, but the long-term savings can more than make up for it. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a typical home can reduce its energy consumption by 30 percent just by making a few simple changes. The following tips will help you get started with your own home energy audit and identify ways to make it more energy efficient. They also provide resources for learning more about how to make your home more energy efficient at no cost to you.