Energy conservation is one of the most popular discussions over the past few years. Of course, there are small steps that you can take to save more energy at home. In this article, we go over how to consume less energy which lowers the harmful emission that releases into the atmosphere.
The most interesting aspect is that you don’t need to rebuild your home to make it energy efficient. If you love the environment and want to save energy, here are some steps to save more energy at home.
Save More Energy at Home with These Small Steps
① Install and Maintain your Insulation
If your home is not properly insulated, then you will pay more for higher utility bills. Even if you buy energy-efficient products and use them with care, you might still consume more energy if your home does not have good insulation.
One of the best ways is by installing attic insulation. Read the attic insulation guide to know your options.
Another way is to close curtains and blinds. That way, you can let the sunlight shine in during the cold season, but block it when it’s hot.
Additionally, home users should insulate heating ducts and hot water pipes. Doing so reduces heat loss and raises water temperature.
② Minimize Phantom Loads
Wondering what phantom loads means? Phantom load refers to the energy consumed by home appliances or electric devices when they are not on.
According to the United States Department of Energy, more than 75% of the electricity that is used to power home appliances is consumed when they are turned off.
Additionally, a report from the University of California Berkeley states that 6% of the national residential electricity consumption is as a result of phantom loads.
You can avoid this by unplugging your electric appliances when they are not in use. Additionally, you can make use of a power strip.
③ Use More Energy-Efficient Appliances
Another way to save energy in your home is by using more energy-efficient appliances. So when you are shopping for new items, ensure they are energy-efficient. Do this by checking out the energy rating label and also consider the appropriate size of the appliance to meet your needs.
Today, it’s actually difficult to find new appliances that are not energy efficient. What’s even better is that you will save more than the purchasing price through eventual energy savings.
However, apart from saving money, the use of energy-efficient appliances will benefit us all in many ways.
④ Install a Programmable Thermostat and a Use Fan for Cooling
The use of a programmable thermostat will help you to adjust your room temperature to your schedule. This helps you keep your room at a comfortable temperature.
When you make use of a programmable thermostat, it saves you around 15% on cooling and heating cost. If you are new to the thermostat, check out How to Install a Programmable Thermostat.
In addition to that, using a ceiling fan is another way to cool your home and save more energy in the summer. This might reduce the need for running your air conditioning. With this, you can reduce 7% to 10% on your cooling costs, thereby saving you more money for other necessary things.
If you have questions or suggestions you want to add, please do so in the comments below. You will also find links to other articles about ALL things DESIGN.
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