An energy-efficient home is becoming a necessity with the costs of everything continually going up, and this year is no different. But how can you actually make your home more efficient? From insulation to proper use of thermostats, here are some suggestions you can try immediately.
Keep the Warmth Inside the Home
One of the biggest causes of using too much energy is allowing warm air to escape and cold air to come inside. There are a few ways you can address this, and luckily, they are all pretty easy. Local insulation companies can pop around and install cozy padding and other materials in the loft and walls. However, you can also try draft excluders that you can buy from any home store. Some people also reduce drafts significantly by using strips for the external doors and windows.
Limit Daily Water Usage
Water is a necessity for any modern home. However, it too costs quite a bit, especially in a family home. It also costs to heat water, whether through a water tank or with electricity, such as the shower. One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve water efficiency is to limit how much you use. Now, no one says don’t be clean. But do you really need 20 minutes in the shower? You can use less water with limited baths once per week and take showers instead.
Use Energy-Efficient Home Lighting
You have probably heard this a million times, but you really can save a ton of energy by making simple lighting switches. An LED bulb can last 25 times longer than a standard bulb and uses up to 90% less electricity. That alone makes the case. However, LEDs are also pretty nifty. You can buy LEDs you can control with your phone or via hubs like Alexa. This means you can ensure they are always turned off when not in use and set up profiles and handy timers.
Set a Comfortable Room Temperature
A lot of people use their thermostats incorrectly. One of the worst things you can do for efficiency is switch on the heating when you feel cold. This uses a lot more energy because the tank has to heat up every time. To avoid this, find a temperature you are comfy with and set your thermostat to it, such as 20°C. The tank will stay warm and only come on when needed to maintain the temperature. However, some boilers will struggle when it is freezing outside.
Try Some Nifty Gadgets
There are always people looking to capitalize on the misery of others. Today, there are many gadgets that claim to reduce the cost of living and heating. But don’t be fooled. Most are basically snake oil. However, there are some that a lot of people swear by. For instance, a popular device today is the radiator fan, which blows warm air across the room. This allegedly warms a room twice as fast. Radiator foil also reflects heat back into the room to keep it warm.
Summary
Keeping warm air in and cold air out is a solid first step to an energy-efficient home. LED lighting uses less energy and lasts longer. There are also gadgets that claim to keep the home warm.