Your Top Source for Eco-Friendly Home Tips
Living in an energy-efficient home is all about cultivating your perfect idea of comfort, saving on utility bills and doing so as efficiently as you can. A few simple adjustments around the house are all it takes to reach your energy efficiency goals. Think about the most common forms of residential energy waste in the average North American home and what you can do to fix them.
1. Lacking Enough Insulation
If your home’s attic, walls and floors aren’t properly insulated, you’re probably losing a lot of energy, not to mention money. Effective insulation keeps heat in during the winter and keeps hot summer air outside, so the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard.
- The fix: Consider more insulation in the attic, a prime spot for adding more. There are several different types of insulation to work with, including fiberglass rolls, blown cellulose and spray foam. Consulting an experienced technician is often worth it for the valuable insights and quality work.
2. Inefficient Appliances
Outdated refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines run less efficiently than energy-efficient alternatives. Poor maintenance practices may make things even worse.
- The fix: Operate your appliances with efficiency in mind. This includes waiting until the dishwasher is full to run it, using cold settings for laundry and avoiding overloading the dryer. In fact, you should consider line or air-drying when you can. As for the fridge and freezer, keep the coils clean to improve efficiency. And when it’s time to replace your appliances, look for ENERGY STAR®-rated models. They’re able to be energy efficient without losing out on total performance.
3. Old Lighting
Older incandescent bulbs are notorious energy wasters. In fact, they tend to produce more heat than light, which isn’t just more expensive—it also makes your air conditioner work harder in the summer.
- The fix: Stick to using LED bulbs, which need much less power and last far longer. In addition, don’t forget to switch off lighting when you leave a room. While you’re at it, disconnect other appliances when you’re not using them. For even more savings, think about adding smart controls to control your lights and gadgets remotely.
4. Install Systems Compatible with Solar Energy
If you’re interested in going even greener, it’s worth considering installing solar power. Panels alone can light your home during the day while an attached battery backup stores excess energy for use at night and on stormy days. While solar-compatible systems require an initial investment, tax credits and utility rebates are available to help offset the investment.
5. Water Heaters
Your worn-down water heater is a huge energy hog, especially in homes where it’s kept at excessive temperatures or is actually larger than necessary for your home. Water heaters also experience heat loss through uninsulated pipes, adding unnecessary costs to your monthly expenses.
- The fix: Learn about the benefits of investing in a tankless water heater, which heats as needed. If that’s not an option, wrap your water heater and pipes with insulation for better efficiency, lower the thermostat to 120 degrees F and try not to neglect water heater maintenance.
6. Leaky Doors and Windows
Damaged windows and doors let heat escape in the winter and bring in hot air during summer. In each case, your HVAC system is put under strain.
- The fix: If replacing all the windows isn’t affordable, add caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows to close some of the gaps. If you’re prepared to invest in new windows, go for energy-efficient, low-emissivity (low-E) windows. These windows reduce unwanted heat transfer by adding an air-filled layer between the inside and outside of your home.
7. A New HVAC System
Heating and cooling make up over half of the energy use in most homes. When your HVAC system is past its prime, it may have to run longer and expend more energy to keep the temperature where you want it. Systems larger than you need are also a common issue, as they are prone to short cycling, leading to uneven temperatures, poor humidity control and extra strain on the system. Then, leaky ducts waste more energy, forcing your system to make up the losses to meet comfort levels.
- The fix: Invest in a properly sized energy-efficient HVAC system and have your ducts inspected for air loss. Then, set up preventive maintenance to keep the system running at its peak for years to come. Installing a programmable thermostat also helps. Installing one lets you adjust temperatures more precisely based on your schedule, so you don’t waste energy on climate control when you’re not at home.
