5 Ways to Save Energy at Home & Help the Environment

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There are numerous ways to save energy at home and those ways don’t have to be huge at first. Even small differences can make a change and help the environment. In addition, these investments not only conserve energy but reduce home energy bills. We can all contribute to this change and improve our overall health. So, here are 5 ways to save energy at home and help the environment. 

1. Improve Home’s Insulation

Improving your home’s insulation is essential to saving energy. Gaps around doors and windows can let the heat or cool air easily escape, which leads to using more heat or air conditioning to keep your house warm or cool. So, it’s smart to invest and seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent air leakage.

Proper insulation is especially important in older homes, which can reduce energy bills by 20%. For example, foil faced insulation board increases energy efficiency, improves thermal performance, and is environmentally friendly. Keep in mind that hot air rises, so it’s important to insulate attics, floors, and walls. 

2. Reduce Water Heating Costs

Another great option to save energy is to reduce water heating. Besides purchasing an energy-efficient water heater, you can adjust the settings to the water heater you already have. Just simply turn down the thermostat and use less hot water. Also, you can insulate the water heater’s pipes, so they stay warmer longer. 

However, if you’re already planning on replacing your old water heater with a new one, keep in mind to look for a water heater that fits your needs and which type of fuel it’s using. A great option is a tankless water heater since it is energy efficient, but it might not be the best choice if you have a big family because it cannot handle multiple uses of hot water. Compared to conventional water heaters, efficient water heaters are from 8% to 300% more energy efficient.

3. Unplug Appliances

If you find yourself in a worrying state of mind about future harm to the environment, know that you are not alone and that there are ways to cope with eco-anxiety. Go out in nature and make time for yourself. 

One of the easiest ways to help the environment is to turn off any appliances that are not in use, however, some of them are still using energy while plugged in. Think of computers, smart appliances, gaming consoles, etc. So, whenever you’re leaving your home or are not using any of these appliances, just unplug them. Some appliances can be set to turn on and off at specific times, you can easily do that for coffee makers, bathroom towel warmers, and many other home appliances. If you’re leaving home for more than a day, then make sure to unplug everything that can use energy in sleep mode. 

4. Replace Light Bulbs

Another easy and simple way to save energy at home is to replace commonly used incandescent bulbs with LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps). LED bulbs cost more, however; they last two to four times longer than CFLs. Also, LED bulbs emit little heat and are energy efficient compared to CFLs and incandescent bulbs. So, investing in LED light bulbs is definitely a smart choice. 

5. Use Cold Water When Using Washing Machine

Washing machines are using a great deal of energy, especially if set on a warm water cycle. Most of the energy in the washing process is used for warming water. So, using cold water is a way to save energy and help the environment. Only by reducing water temperature by 15 degrees, you can save $50 or more a year. In addition, cold water is better for clothes, as it can increase their lifespan. 

You can start step by step towards saving energy and making your home energy efficient as much as possible. Don’t overstress about doing it all at once, start with small improvements, like switching to LED bulbs, and work your way toward bigger energy-saving improvements. A good start is to follow these 5 ways in order to help the environment. 

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