Whether you’re environmentally conscious or not, an energy-efficient home is likely a desirable living situation. Climate change beliefs aside, an eco-friendly home can benefit everyone.
Why?
There are multiple reasons why an energy-efficient home is beneficial. Not only does it have a positive impact on the environment, but it also leads to significant cost savings in the long term. This is especially valuable in today’s economy.
There are ways to reduce your energy consumption at home, such as modifying your habits and behaviours or investing in energy-efficient products. These changes can lead to long-term cost savings.
Here are some steps to take to make your home more efficient.
Switch to LED bulbs
If you want to reduce your energy consumption quickly, consider switching to LED light bulbs. LED bulbs offer the most efficient energy-saving option available. For example, a 60-watt bulb will consume 0.035w per hour if it’s a CFL bulb, while an LED bulb will only use 0.0085w. Although LED bulbs may cost more initially, they last longer than traditional ones, resulting in long-term savings.
Check weather stripping and caulking.
If your windows have been installed for a while, you might notice some exposed caulking on the exterior edges. This can result in gaps that cause drafts over time. Similarly, the weather stripping on window openings can deteriorate over time and lead to drafts. Therefore, it is important to replace it to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
Install underfloor heating and infrared wall heaters.
Many people believe that using conventional radiators is cheaper than running a whole house underfloor heating system or infrared wall heaters. However, this is not true. With the constantly increasing price of gas fuel, the latter options are more cost-effective in the long run. Although the initial cost may be high, the benefits will become apparent soon enough.
Try to rely less on tumble dryers.
At certain times during the year, using a tumble dryer is necessary. But, a washing line or clotheshorse is a more energy-efficient alternative.
Don’t fill the kettle.
Many of us tend to fill our kettles without putting much thought into how much water we need. However, most kettles have markings that indicate the appropriate amount of water to use. By filling your kettle with the correct amount of water, you can save energy!
Only heat the rooms that you use.
After reading it, the concept seems quite obvious, doesn’t it? However, it’s astonishing how many of us keep the radiators on in unoccupied rooms. This results in more energy consumption, as heating an unused space is wasteful.
I’m certain that you’ll discover fresh approaches to enhance the effectiveness of your household from the list. These ideas vary from easy and affordable measures to more expensive options that require significant financial investment and short-term effort. Additionally, make sure to visit the government website to check for any available grants related to energy-efficient measures.
