With energy resources running out quickly, it is crucial to switch to measures and practices that reduce your carbon footprint and energy consumption. Start from your home. Be more aware and make simple upgrades to see how you save the money and add value to your building. The sooner you bring the changes, the greater your annual savings will be. You don’t need to invest in anything big unless necessary. First, try to incorporate some or all of these little things –
- Insulate Your Walls
Poorly insulated walls and roofs are the biggest cause of energy wastage which is why a good quality of insulation is advised, especially if your house is old or has been witnessing extremely cold or hot conditions for quite some time.
- Replace Your Electrical Appliances
The air conditioner, furnace, boiler, and other electrical appliances in your home could be consuming more energy than required. Generally, they keep up with their efficiency for around 15 to 20 years only. So, if your appliances are over fifteen years old, you must switch to high-end models.
- Seal Your Doors and Windows
Adding weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors is an easy and effective way to close those unwanted drafts and keep your home warm or cold as required. However, if windows are single-paned, then sealing isn’t enough. You might have to install new ones with double glazing.
- Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans aren’t just decorative pieces. They keep the room comfortable and pleasant and circulate a pleasant breeze around without consuming a major chunk of power like an air conditioner. So, consider installing them in your room to enhance the air conditioning.
- Switch to LED Lights
The energy usage of LED lights is significantly lesser than that of CFL lamps or incandescent bulbs. They can produce 80-100 lumens/watts, which is almost five times higher than the lumens/watts capacity of incandescent bulbs. So, swap your current light fixtures with the ones with LED technology.
- Bring in Some Sun
Artificial lights consume a major chunk of electricity and impact your utility bills. Hence, it is best to avoid their usage altogether whenever possible. Try to take advantage of natural light instead. Install more windows to let the sun shine through your indoors and light up everything till evening.
- Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to preset and control the heating or cooling temperature in your home. It automatically turns down when you are not at home, or everyone in the house goes to sleep. It adjusts the temperature without any manual interference, as per your schedule.
- Inspect your HVAC
If you witness a sudden increase in your energy usage and bill, it can be due to your underperforming, inefficient HVAC system. Some parts of it may be damaged or you might not have given it proper maintenance. In that case, you must immediately schedule for HVAC inspection and service. Don’t do it on your own, let an HVAC specialist handle it for you.
