Improving your home's energy efficiency doesn't have to cost a lot of money or take months to complete. It's a good idea to make energy-efficient changes across your house at any time of year. You will not only save money on your energy bills, but you will also make your home more pleasant throughout the year.
However, Mass Energy Experts always strive in fulfilling every customer’s expectations – when it comes to making your home energy efficient.
So are you ready to explore some of the most efficient ways on making your home energy efficient?
Here we go…
Check out the below-mentioned ways, both big and small, that work great to make a truly energy efficient home.
- Wrap the water heater in a towel
Because water is only heated when it is needed, on-demand water heaters are frequently the most efficient option. To decrease heat loss from electric hot water tanks, wrap them in an insulating blanket.
- Keep an eye on your furnace.
The most energy-efficient furnaces are new high-efficiency versions, although older units can also be improved. The first step is to have a professional service it once a year. This will entail cleaning the bits you can't see or access, as well as ensuring the system isn't working any harder than it needs to. If you've done renovations or have pets, replace filters every three months to ensure that air flows freely into the unit and to extend the life of your furnace.
- Examine the windows and doors.
When you heat and cool your home without an airtight seal, you're squandering energy. Hold a lit incense stick or a candle around window frames and doors to check for draughts. You have a draught if it flickers. Install or replace weather-stripping and a door sweep, and caulk around the frames. Applying outside window film throughout the winter months will boost efficiency even more.
- Ductwork should be sealed.
Hot air can escape through ducting joints. That implies you're paying to heat places you don't want to be heated (like an unfinished basement) while not getting heat in places you want to be heated (upper floor rooms). Heating-vent tape should be applied to all visible joints.
- Make use of ceiling fans.
When you need to cool bedrooms but not the entire house, ceiling fans are ideal, especially at night. Most fans have a "reverse" mode that pulls hot air down into the room during the winter months.
- Install a clothesline
Dryers can account for up to 6% of a household's overall energy use. When possible, hang your garments outside to air dry during the summer and inside to air dry during the winter.
- In the evening, run major appliances.
The washer, dryer, and dishwasher all consume a lot of electricity and run for a long time. Attempt to rearrange your schedule so that you can wash your clothing or dishes in the evenings or on weekends. Consider using the dishwasher's air-dry option and washing your clothing on a shorter cycle.
- Automate the process.
A smart thermostat can save you up to 15% on your heating and cooling bills. It works by memorizing your habits and automatically altering the temperature. For example, if you usually lower the temperature before going to bed at 10 p.m., a smart thermostat will begin doing so automatically. You may also use an app to regulate a smart thermostat whether you're at home or not. As a result, even if your schedule changes unexpectedly, you can still keep track of your heating and cooling bills in the palm of your hand.
You can also save money by automating your lighting. Install dimmer switches and motion sensors for lighting that will turn off when you leave the room.
- Large appliances should be cleaned.
When dust clogs the back of the refrigerator vent and the clothes dryer exhaust, the motors have to work harder, consuming more energy. Vacuum certain areas at least twice a year.
- Make the use of Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
More and more light bulbs are appearing on store shelves, with prices ranging substantially. However, compared to undertakings like replacing major appliances or installing all new windows, replacing old incandescent lights with more energy-efficient ones is a comparatively low-cost option. Furthermore, most energy efficient light bulbs live longer than incandescents, so you won't have to replace them as often, even if you pay more up front.
Compact fluorescent bulbs, for example, use less than two-thirds of the energy required by normal bulbs while lasting ten times longer. Most CFLs cost between $3 and $5 each, with a dimmable variant costing up to $14. LED bulbs are also making their way into the home, however they will set you back approximately $15 per bulb. On the plus side, they last a long time and even come with Alexa and Google Assistant capabilities.
Conclusion
Looking at both the large picture and your day-to-day behaviours can help you save energy in your house (and keep money in your pocket). Analyze your home's weak points to help you prioritise your energy-saving investments. Homes that are energy efficient are a terrific way to save money on utility bills. The majority of people want to make their home more energy efficient, not only to save money on their personal energy bills, but also to help save the planet's resources.
You don't have to make all of these changes in a year; instead, plan ahead so that you can incorporate smart energy solutions into your home improvements. Of course, there are a slew of other major and minor ways to save energy at home—and you don't have to do them all. However, one or two of them may resonate with your lifestyle, resulting in a win-win situation for both you and the environment. Any action you can do to decrease waste and protect our natural resources is a positive step.