Are you looking for ways to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills? Look no further! We’ve gathered a list of 12 simple methods you can use to make your home more energy efficient. From installing insulation to switching out lightbulbs, there are plenty of easy-to-follow tips that can help you save energy and money!
1. Tend to Your Furnace
Tend to your furnace to improve efficiency. This includes tightening connections, lubricating parts, and cleaning coils. Since lights give off heat when they’re on, turning them off when you’re not using them can also help you save energy.
Additionally, installing a programmable thermostat is an effective way to reduce energy costs. Lowering your thermostat by three degrees is an easy way to save money on your heating.
2. Seal the Attic and Add Insulation
Seal the Attic and Add Insulation to make your home more energy efficient. Sealing siding cracks, caulking windows, and upgrading attic or siding insulation can give you a more energy efficient home.
Go the extra mile by sealing the air leaks in and around the windows in your home. If your windows are drafty, consider adding weatherstripping or fiberglass insulation to keep the cold air out. In unfinished attic spaces, insulate between and over the floor joists to seal off living spaces below.
If the air distribution is in the attic space, then add insulation especially to leaky areas. To keep the blown in insulation from falling through the attic hatch opening, make a 2×12 dam around the hatch perimeter.
“Then, to really seal it up tight,” says Leyser, “install an air and vapor barrier.” If there is no air and vapor barrier, concentrate on comprehensive air sealing. Create an effective air barrier by using caulking, gaskets and weather stripping along all seams in your walls and floors.
3. Change Your Light Bulbs to LEDs
Once you change the incandescent light bulbs in your home to LEDs, you can save energy without sacrificing light quality. LED bulbs used in fixtures inside the home save electricity, remain cool, and save money on replacement costs since LED bulbs last so long. You can also contact small LED flashlight manufacturers to purchase high-quality, efficient lighting for your home.
Some more advanced models even allow you to schedule and manage your lights, making it easy to conserve energy. By making the switch to LEDs, you can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40kg (50kg in NI) and save money on your energy bill.
4. Consider Replacing Your Windows
Consider Replacing Your Windows – The right window glass option, optimized for your climate, can help you save energy. Vinyl replacement windows can also save you from hours of sanding and painting.
To go the extra mile, seal the air leaks in and around your windows with weatherstripping and install low-emissivity storm windows, which can help reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 33%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You can also make existing windows more energy efficient with DIY hacks like wrapping the water heater and hanging drapes on windows.
5. Make the Most of Natural Shade and Sun
Make the Most of Natural Shade and Sun by closing blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home to help keep your home’s temperature cooler and reduce the work for your AC. Using light from the sun is an intuitive way to reduce your energy consumption.
When looking for a home, it is better to have north and south-facing windows that can make use of natural solar heating during the winter and cooling during the summer. Using the sun for heating through south facing windows during the winter lowers heating costs. Shading those same windows in summer lowers cooling costs.
6. Super-Insulate the Building Envelope
Super-Insulate the Building Envelope – Exterior Rigid Insulation is one way to achieve high R walls at the least cost. Before you build or remodel, investing in energy efficiency is the best way to save energy and money.
The building envelope acts like a blanket and helps regulate solar gain. Energy modelling can assist you in achieving the ideal insulation levels for the ceiling, walls, and floors. Go the extra mile by sealing air leaks around windows with weatherstripping and use alternative framing and insulating techniques to make your home more efficient.
7. Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to save energy and money. LED bulbs lead the way by using the least wattage of the three, needing only 12 watts to match the light provided by a traditional light bulb.
If you have CFLs and you’re happy with them, keep using them for the rest of their lifetime, since LEDs are only slightly more efficient. Replacing all of your light bulbs with LED can really save on your energy use, they also last much longer than traditional bulbs.
Energy efficient bulbs will help you save money on your energy bills and lower your carbon footprint while keeping your home bright and well-lit.
8. Upgrade the Window Treatments
Upgrade the Window Treatments and Don’t Neglect the Tracks
Window treatments are a simple and effective way to save energy. Choose energy-efficient options like blinds, shades, and curtains that will help naturally regulate the temperature and lighting in your home. Make sure that they are properly installed and drawn all day to maximize their efficiency.
Additionally, don’t forget about the tracks – ensuring that these are sealed can help prevent heat loss during winter months.
9. Hang Drapes on Windows
Hang Drapes on Windows – To maximize the energy-saving benefits, hang drapes as close to windows as possible and fall onto a windowsill or floor. Install a cornice for added insulation, and choose draperies that are lined for maximum efficiency.
Enhance the heat-saving capability by adding a white plastic backing to the drapes and using hang-ups. Additionally, window shades are one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy in your home, so consider mounting them closer to your glass windows and adjacent walls for further benefits.
10. Use the Sun for Free Heat
Take advantage of the sun’s free heat by opening your curtains and blinds during the day. This will allow the sun to naturally heat up your home, reducing the amount of energy you need to use to keep it warm.
Make sure your windows are clean so that you can maximize your solar gain. Additionally, if you want to get even more out of this free heat, consider adding a solar thermal system to your home, which can provide hot water or even heat your home.
11. Caulk and Weather Strip Air Sealing
Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment, often one year or less. Address smaller cracks with caulk, then spray larger areas with a foam spray caulk, which will expand and help seal gaps and cracks that allow air to leak out of your home.
Don’t forget to caulk around the outer edges of basement windows and cover them with plastic film. Place weather-stripping materials around windows and doors to help make a home feel drafty and contribute to higher energy bills. Duck Brand Heavy-Duty Self Adhesive Weatherstrip can be used for your DIY project to cut energy costs.
12.Choose Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances
Save energy and money by investing in energy efficient lighting and appliances. Choose LED bulbs and Energy Star-certified appliances, which use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs. Look for features like automatic shut-off when you’re not using the appliance, or one with a timer.
This will ensure your lights and appliances are only running when you need them, helping you to save on energy costs in the long run.
Conclusion
With all of these tips on how to make your home more energy efficient, you can start to make a real difference in your utility bills and overall energy consumption. Start by tackling the smaller projects that don’t cost much money, such as changing out light bulbs and weatherstripping windows and doors.
Once you’ve saved a bit of money, you can invest in larger projects such as replacing windows or adding insulation. The combined effort of these small changes can have a big impact on your home’s energy efficiency.
