10 Creative Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Energy efficiency means doing the same jobs but using less energy than before. To reduce energy waste and save money, you need to be aware in and around your home to identify where the energy is used, where it is wasted, and which areas need improvements to grab saving opportunities.

We are fortunate enough to live in an era of science, technology, and innovation. We use smart technologies everywhere to live more comfortably. But we often don’t think about living greener. 

We must adopt some eco-friendly changes to be energy efficient. These adoptions can bring a significant impact on the earth and our lives as well.

Here are ten creative ways to make your home more energy efficient that can help you improve energy efficiency and save costs. 

1. Turn the Thermostat Down

When you are away from home, lower the temperature on the thermostat. Lowering the temperature by 3 to 5 degrees will save energy and decrease your monthly utility expenses.

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees for winter and 78 degrees for summer. Remember every degree of additional cooling or heating increases energy usage from 6 to 8%. 

Similarly, if you lower the temperature by a couple of degrees, you observe a dramatic change in your cost.

2. Unplugged Unused Charger 

Many gadgets and appliances like laptops, cell phones, hairdryers, printers, washing machines, DAB radios, etc., are always plugged in on the port. We leave them switched on even when they don’t need power or are not in use. The term for energy wastage is called energy vampires.

Be mindful that when any charger is plugged in but no device is connected, the empty charger also consumes a significant portion of power. Leaving your phone or laptop plugged in overnight is unwise because it requires only a couple of hours to charge fully. 

So to save energy, unplug your devices or switch them off once your devices are fully charged or not in use.

3. Install a Photovoltaic Solar Panel

Installing a solar panel is one of the most effective and popular ways to become energy-efficient. Using sunlight, photovoltaic solar panels generate electricity to power your home.

The solar panel works even if the weather is cloudy. The areas that have more sunshine can produce more energy. You also have the opportunity to sell extra energy to the National Grid.

Though installing a solar panel is expensive, it will save money in the long run.

You can find electricians almost anywhere in the states who can install a solar panel system for your home. Whether looking for an electrician in Alpharetta, GA, or Orange County, CA, you are bound to find one who offers the service and has the expertise to install a solar panel in your house. 

4. Add Roof and Loft Insulation

Installing roof and loft insulation is one of the cost-effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Insulation is used to keep your home warmer for a longer period. Bigger detached properties release heat through the roof. Installing loft insulation for larger properties can save you plenty of energy.

You can also consider substitutes for traditional fiberglass insulation, such as recycled plastic bottles and sheep’s wool. Lots of homeowners have also switched to home spray foam insulation that's easier to use and gets the job done quickly. It will offer you an additional eco-friendly boost because it saves carbon in the manufacturing process. 

5. Insulate Your Flooring

The ground floor loses about 10% of your home’s heat. To choose the right floor insulation, first, you need to identify the type of floor. The reason is each type requires different insulation techniques.

For instance – Suspended floors are usually made of floorboards. You can insulate the flooring using rigid boards, spray foam insulation, or mineral wool. Properly insulated floors not only make you warmer for longer but also save your utility expenses.

6. Choose Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

Purchasing energy savings bulbs is the best and easiest way to save energy. Though the cost of LED bulbs is slightly higher than incandescent bulbs, they consume 90% less energy.

So, it’s wise to swap out older bulbs with LED bulbs to make a huge difference in your energy usage and save electricity bills.

7. Install External Wall Insulation

Insulating external walls involves covering the outside wall with a layer of insulating material such as specially designed cladding or plasterwork.

It not only renews the appearance of your building but also provides better sound resistance, and weatherproofing also reduces internal condensation and draughts.

Poorly insulated or detached home loses a significant amount of heat through every side of the walls. Installing external walls to minimize energy usage is a good idea.

8. Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

Installing a low-flow showerhead in your home is one of the efficient ways to save energy. A conventional showerhead has a flow rate of 5 gallons per minute, whereas low-flow showerheads use less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

So, if you have consistent water pressure in your home, install a low-flow showerhead in no time. Eventually, it will make your home energy efficient and benefit you collectively.

9. Replace Doors and Windows

When heating or cooling your home, it’s necessary to have an airtight seal on windows and doors; otherwise, you’re just wasting energy.

If you have single-pane windows, replace them with energy-efficient windows, tint exterior window film, or add solar shades. Home window tinting reduces the amount of UV rays entering your home and helps regulate the temperature, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Also, installing a storm door provides you with an extra layer of protection. Such doors have a protective coating or low-emissivity glass that reduces energy loss. 

10. Invest in an Energy Audit

Once you’ve accomplished everything based on your intelligence to save energy, hire a professional energy auditor to ensure the highest efficiency.

A trained and certified auditor can identify all the inefficiencies and evaluate where the energy is wasted. He can also pinpoint every single area where improvements are needed. Thus, you can ensure more savings.

Final Words

While on the modern world's quest to care for the earth, waste less, and save money, we hope our creative ways to make your home more energy efficient help you become more power savvy.

In our daily lives, we consume a significant amount of energy every day, and it’s regretful when energy is wasted for no reason. As a responsible person, you must make your home more energy efficient. In this regard, these energy-saving tips help you achieve the goal.

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