Today, increasing numbers of people are actively looking to save energy in their homes. There are a lot of reasons why people invest in environmentally-friendly options. Saving energy means saving money. Using less energy on a day to day basis decreases utility bills, and often tax credits for energy efficiency. This is why many homeowners are considering to get an energy audit to determine how to effectively save energy at home.
People are now more aware of how our actions and decisions can negatively impact the planet and want options to make changes. Using sustainable energy sources, like solar panels Newcastle, and consuming less energy is a step in the right direction towards reducing individual impact. In addition, effectively reducing energy usage is a good way to increase your property’s value!
If you’re looking for ways to invest in the benefits of energy-saving, here are five steps you can take to get started.
Change Your Light Bulbs
Many people automatically reach for the standard lightbulbs when they’re looking to replace old bulbs. Sure, incandescent light bulbs may be cheaper on the store shelf than LED or CFL lightbulbs. However, they really don’t last as long.
It’s a much better investment to purchase LED or CFL light bulbs. These options not only last longer, but are also way more energy efficient. This means they continually reduce your overall energy usage and save you money in the long run. Win-win!
Turn Down Your Water Temperature
Most people don’t realize how much energy is spent on hot water. Believe it or not, heating water makes up 14-25% of the average home’s energy usage. If possible, it’s a great idea to turn your home’s water heater down to 120 degrees.
When the time comes to replace your water heater, consider investing in a tankless water heater. This modern upgrade can prove to be up to 34% more efficient than a water heating tank, and that translates to big savings in energy.
Use Energy Efficient Appliances
Wherever possible, make sure to use energy efficient appliances from Air Conditioning Penrith. You can see if your appliance is certified as energy efficient by looking out for the ENERGY STAR label. These products are government certified options created by a variety of brands who produce energy efficient solutions. And if you are in need of washer repair charlotte call Matthews Appliance for great help!
Homes that are ENERGY STAR certified have an energy efficiency increase of 10% or more. The certification is relatively new, so you know you’ll be getting quality products that are high-performing. This makes it simple for you to find options that are designed to make energy saving easy.
If your budget doesn’t allow purchase of new appliances, make sure that your existing ones are functioning well. Otherwise, you’ll need to hire an appliance repair professional to ensure your appliances are running at their maximum efficiency. For your existing refrigerator, it may be necessary for some refrigerator parts to be replaced to keep it functional.
Furthermore, regular air conditioning maintenance would ensure that your unit is at its maximum energy-efficiency.
Check Your Sealing and Insulation
Too many homes spend a lot of energy overheating or overcooling the house just to make up for poor insulation and sealing that lets the air in and out of the house. You wouldn’t want the energy you’re generating to go right out an open window, but many houses have the equivalent energy loss with air leaks.
Weatherproof your house by filling any cracks that you may be able to find. You should also make good use of caulking. If possible, install a door sweep. This will prevent heat from escaping under your doors. Have your ducts and insulation professionally inspected by a reliable insulation services to ensure that they’re up to speed!
Finally, you may consider getting a Residential Window Tinting Service to help lower cooling and heating costs by keeping the right temperature inside your home.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
High-tech thermostats are very popular now, and for good reason. Rather than heating or cooling your house all day when you’re away, programmable thermostats can turn off when you’re not home and be set to turn back on when you’ll be back. That way you can have energy savings but still have a comfortable home at the right temperature when you walk in the door.
While this may seem like a lot of changes to make, little steps can make a big difference in your home energy savings. It’s good to start small and evaluate what things you can do to boost the energy efficiency of your home now. It’s essential to take steps to save energy on your home when there are season changes. This investment can make a big difference in months when extra energy is spent heating or cooling.