Creating an Energy-saving Environment in Your Home
People are becoming increasingly aware of their carbon footprint and influence on the environment. Maybe you’re one of them too, and you’re looking for ways to do your part. Integrating these energy-conscious activities into your everyday life might begin with the place where we go to get our needs met: home.
Maybe you’ve already begun to change your habits and become more self-conscious about your waste trail. However, to be continuously on this path and make it a sustainable practice, you’ll need tools and mechanisms all around you that serve the same goal. This way, all energy put into these practices is allocated appropriately and without causing environmental harm. Start with your home. How can you integrate functions and systems that are less harmful to the environment?
The US Department of Energy has developed a rating system called the Home Energy Score that scores energy efficiency based on the existing systems it uses. Energy.gov shares a whole-house systems approach to making an energy-efficient house. Aside from the habits you’ve formed, other factors that impact energy use at home include the following.
Home Appliances and Other Electronics
Nowadays, these appliances are commonly known as energy-efficient appliances. The title is so because they cost less and function faster with less effort than old appliances. But even so, it still helps to switch off anything you’re not using, of course.
Save on electricity bills by choosing energy-efficient appliances. Because they’re efficient, you’ll save time and effort since they can accomplish the work twice as fast as ordinary appliances.
Insulation and air sealing
Become more comfortable while saving energy by being mindful in choosing moisture control, ventilation, and air sealing options for your home. If any or all of these items are present in your existing house but aren’t up to grade, your heating and cooling systems may consume more energy to make up for it. Do your regular maintenance to prevent spending more energy and money than you should be in the first place.
Lighting
Did you know that if you switch just 5 most used light fixtures in your home with energy-saving models, you’re able to save $45 a year? Some energy-efficient lighting choices you can choose from are halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Halogen incandescents are the least energy-efficient of the three, although they do meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements. Because of their affordability, variety, and their ability to turn on immediately, they’re the go-to choice for many.
If you’re looking to replace your halogen incandescent lights, you can switch to CFLs since they fit most incandescent bulb fixtures. CFLs last 6 to 15 times longer and save about 75% less energy too. They’re ideal for spaces like the living room, kitchen, or anywhere where lights are frequently left on and for long periods at a time.
The most durable and the most efficient of the three, LEDs last 25 times longer and use at least 75% less energy. Unlike other lights, LED emits light in specific directions, so there’s no need for reflectors and diffusers when they’re in place. CFLs release roughly 80% of their energy as heat, whereas incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat. LED differs from the other two in this regard since it produces very little heat.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling spaces in your home require a lot of energy. In fact, it’s one of the most significant contributors to electricity bills. Despite your ability to avail of reasonable refinancing rates for your mortgage, looking into your home’s systems for cooling and heating is still worth doing. On a similar note, water heating requires about 18% of energy usage. There are different types of water heaters you can choose from. But in selecting the one for you, consider its efficiency, size, and cost.
Windows, Doors, and Skylights.
If it isn’t obvious to you yet how windows, doors, and skylights help conserve energy, they do so by utilizing the light provided by the sun. Allowing natural light in reduces the need to turn on your lights in the middle of the day. These also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bottom Line
As technology advances, men are becoming more equipped not just to make life a little more convenient. It’s made it possible to still benefit from that convenience without sacrificing the environment anymore. There have been efforts made to impact the environment positively. What better place to start than with ourselves and our homes?
