Do you feel your home isn’t as sustainable as it could be? Maybe you feel as though you need to make a positive change to your property but you just don’t know where to start. If you want to take that next step, this is the guide for you.
Get an Audit Done
Getting an audit done is one of the best ways for you to understand where your energy costs and emissions are coming from. Home energy auditors help by checking for air leakages while also determining how much insulation you have. They will inspect your fireplace, smoke detector and even your lights. The great thing about getting an energy audit done is that it will pay for itself, especially if you can make the upgrades you need after getting your report.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Heating and cooling your home will account for around half of your property’s energy usage. It is a logical place to start when it comes to energy reduction. Maintaining a more consistent home temperature can reduce your heating and cooling costs. You might also want to try and automate your heating and cooling system, as you won’t have to worry about turning your thermostat down when you go to bed. Smart thermostats can be programmed with various eco-friendly settings and this is ideal for keeping your home comfortable and efficient. It also gives you the chance to adjust to nighttime or daytime hours. Don’t stop at your thermostat either. You can invest in automated appliances and when you do, you will take a lot of the guesswork out of your energy usage.
Get Solar Panels
Another thing you can do to help yourself would be to invest in some solar panels. When you do get some solar panels, you can rest assured knowing that you can capitalize on solar energy and that you are protected from rising energy prices. You can also do your bit for the environment, as you will be using natural energy to power your home, over energy from the grid.
Changing to LED Lights
If you are buying incandescent bulbs then now is the time for you to be changing those out. Changing your home’s bulbs and fittings is the best way for you to reduce your carbon footprint and they can use up to 90% less electricity as well. LED bulbs tend to last longer and this equates to even more savings for you.
Get a Water Filter
When you drink some water, do you reach for a plastic water bottle? Studies have shown that Americans throw away around 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour. Only one-quarter of them end up being recycled. Drinking tap water will reduce your trash burden but a lot of people still think that bottled is better. If you can, it’s a good idea for you to try a water filtration system. When you do invest in something like this, you can give yourself a continuous supply of fresh water and you don’t have to rely on bottles at all.
