Most people want to make their home more energy-efficient but don’t know where to start. Making your home more energy-efficient will save you money on your energy bills and help reduce your carbon footprint. There are a number of things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient, and we’ve listed a few of the most effective below.
1. Get an energy audit
One of the best ways to make your home more energy-efficient is to get an energy audit. An energy audit is an assessment of your home’s energy use. An auditor will look at your home’s insulation, windows, doors, heating, and cooling systems to identify areas where your home is losing energy. The auditor will also look at your energy bills to determine how much energy your home uses.
After the audit, the auditor will give you a report that includes recommendations for making your home more energy-efficient. Some of the recommendations may be simple and inexpensive, such as adding weather-stripping to your doors and windows. Others may be more expensive and require more work, such as adding insulation to your attic.
2. Upgrade your windows and doors
One of the biggest sources of energy loss in homes is through windows and doors. If your windows and doors are old, drafty, and not energy-efficient, you’re losing a lot of heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Replacing your windows and doors with energy-efficient models can make a big difference in your home’s energy efficiency.
3. Add insulation
Adding insulation to your home is one of the most effective ways to make it more energy-efficient. Insulation helps keep the heat in your home in the winter and the cool air in your home in the summer. It also helps reduce noise pollution. There are a number of different types of insulation, and the type you need depends on where you want to add it in your home.
4. Upgrade your heating and cooling systems
If your home’s heating and cooling system is old, it’s probably not very energy-efficient. Upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient system can help you save money on your energy bills. When you’re shopping for a new system, look for one that’s ENERGY STAR certified.
5. Use energy-efficient light bulbs
Replacing your home’s light bulbs with energy-efficient models is an easy and inexpensive way to make your home more energy-efficient. Energy-efficient light bulbs use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, so they’ll save you money on your energy bills. They also last longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
6. Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is another easy and inexpensive way to make your home more energy-efficient. A programmable thermostat allows you to set different temperatures for different times of the day and night. For example, you can set the temperature lower when you’re asleep or away from home. This can help you save money on your energy bills.
7. Wash your clothes in cold water
Washing your clothes in cold water can save you money on your energy bills. Most of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water. Washing your clothes in cold water can save you up to $40 per year on your energy bills.
8. Hang your clothes to dry
Hanging your clothes to dry is a great way to save energy and money. Clothes dryers are one of the most energy-intensive appliances in your home. If you hang your clothes to dry, you can save up to $100 per year on your energy bills.
9. Seal your ducts
If your home has central heating and cooling, it likely has ductwork that carries the air to and from the furnace or air conditioner. If your ducts are leaking, you’re losing a lot of the heated or cooled air before it ever reaches your rooms. Sealing and insulating your ducts can help reduce this energy loss.
10. Weatherize your home
Weatherizing your home is another great way to make it more energy-efficient. Weatherizing involves sealing cracks and gaps in your home’s envelope. This helps reduce the amount of heat that’s lost in the winter and cool air that’s lost in the summer. Weatherizing can also help reduce noise pollution.
