Energy saving is important for everyone to practice, not just for the sake of your finances, but for the sake of the environment as well. Use the tips for energy saving around the home below to ensure that you get an energy-efficient home that will leave both you and the environment with a smile when all is said and done.
Keep Your Home Appliances Well-Maintained
The first thing you need to do is to make sure that all the appliances in your home are always well-maintained. This will keep them in a good state at all times, in which they will consume minimal amounts of energy as they work as optimally as they were intended to work by their manufacturers. This will save you a considerable amount over time, an important thing given the fact that the average family today spends $2,000 each year on energy bills. Half of this goes towards keeping the home warm or cool in different seasons, so making sure that your appliances are working efficiently is one of the best things you can do.
Invest in Modern, Energy-Efficient Appliances
Technology has come a long way since the first appliances were made, so it’s good to stay modern as far as your appliances go. If you still have the same appliances you had about a decade ago, you can make sure that your family will enjoy the utmost comfort by switching them out for newer models. While this may cost you a bit upfront, the savings you make over time will be every bit worth it. Shop around for those that have the best Energy Star rating to be sure that you get the very best deal, and one that you will enjoy for a long time to come.
Save Energy With Your Landscaping
You can also save energy with your landscaping. A simple way to do this is to plant deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your house. This will have the effect of having shade over your house from their leaves in the summer, while you get added warmth in the winter when the bare branches allow extra sunlight to filter through to your house. Installing a fence is another way to save energy, as it will give you a 65% return on investment while offering you protection from high-speed winds that could cool your house or even destroy its structural value in case it’s accompanied by hail.
Seal Your Home and Insulate it Well
To make sure that you’re not losing treated air from your indoors to the outdoors, it’s important to insulate your home. Start with the windows, looking to see if there are any gaps and cracks which you can seal with caulk and weather stripping. If you can afford it, change your windows from single-pane ones to double-pane ones, which will afford you better insulation and enable you to keep your home a lot more comfortable with minimal energy. Also make sure to repair any pest damage as this can leave you with leaks you’re not aware of. Termites, according to the LA Times, were the main pest concern for 20% of homeowners in a survey, so have your home fumigated if you suspect any pest damage.
Maximize on Natural Lighting
Finally, make a lot of use of natural lighting by reducing your reliance on artificial lighting. South and north-facing windows will be a lot more effective at letting in sunlight that will also warm your home better and reduce harsh lighting in winter. While working on the lighting, you could also change any conventional lights you have in the house to LED lights which will be a lot more energy-efficient and more eco-friendly as well.
Use these tips to enjoy an energy-friendly and comfortable home in all seasons!
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