8 Tips to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

It’s important to learn how to make your home energy efficient. It will allow you to save on your energy bill. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy your life to the fullest knowing you can adjust thermostats and turn on lights without experiencing shock when your electric bill comes in the mail.

Particularly when you live in the southern part of the U.S., you know that it can get hot – and embracing energy-efficient practices are critical.

#1: Take a Whole-House Systems Approach

Whether you’re building a home, renovating your home, or simply focusing on energy efficiency, you have to take a whole-house approach. It will allow you to identify all of the different variables that will impact energy usage.

Some of the most energy-efficient homes have a unique layout that accounts for site conditions and local climate.

You should consider the materials you’re using for insulation, your landscaping strategies, and even whether you’re depending on electricity or solar power.

#2: Switch to Energy-Efficient LED Bulbs

The light bulbs throughout your home may be throwing off more heat than you realize. If you have the light on for an hour or more, place your hand near the bulb. If you feel the heat, you’re going to want to consider a more energy-efficient bulb.

LEDs are slightly more expensive. However, they last longer and don’t generate more heat. If you switch all of the bulbs in your home to LED, you’ll notice a difference in your energy bill.

#3: Change the Way You Wash (and Dry) Your Laundry

Your laundry habits might need to change. A significant amount of energy is consumed when you wash clothes in hot water. The reason is that your washing machine has to heat the water. The solution can be to switch to cold water – and there are plenty of detergents that are formulated for cold water, too.

As for the clothes dryer, you can always string clothes up on a clothesline. However, the simpler thing is to ensure that your dryer is working efficiently. Once a month, clean out the dryer duct. You should also empty the lint screen after every load.

If you have older laundry appliances, you may also want to consider investing in newer, more energy-efficient models.

#4: Install an Evaporative Cooler

Space cooling is one of the biggest energy drains that you’re going to encounter. Often, HVAC systems are expensive because they have to work to cool the entire home, even if you’re only occupying one area.

An evaporative cooler is one of the most energy-efficient systems that you can buy. They work by creating humidity to cool off the air by passing over a cooling medium.

There are systems of all sizes, including portable units that you can move around your home.

Beyond the energy efficiency, they’re also environmentally friendly and extremely easy to maintain.

#5: Switch Off Lights and Appliances

Be smart about shutting off lights and appliances when you’re not in the room. While you’re not going to shut off things like refrigerators, you can shut off computer monitors and TVs. You may also want to consider unplugging phone chargers if they’re not charging anything as they can leak electricity, causing you to pay more than necessary.

Timers can also be helpful. This way, if you’re forgetful, everything will turn off on its own.

#6: Insulate Your Home More Effectively

If air is escaping out of your home, you’re going to spend more on cooling (and heating) your home. This means that you’ll want to consider a few of the ways to sufficiently insulate.

• Insulate your door and windows with caulk
• Plug any holes that lead to the outside
• Add weatherstripping on your attic access panel
• Use caulk or expanding form in openings around vent pipes
• Add insulation behind walls and in the attic

#7: Use Daylight Instead of Electrical Lighting

Your goal should be to use daylight whenever possible. If you find that there are a lot of lights on in your home in the middle of the day, you’re not taking advantage of the sun.

Consider adding skylights into your home so that you have an overhead source of light.

Open the blinds and curtains during the day in windows where you are so that you can enjoy the light.

You may also want to consider hanging mirrors in various rooms where there is light. By having the light bounce around, it can help you to have more light without spending the money to install more windows.

#8: Conduct an Energy Audit Every Year

An energy audit should be conducted once a year. It’s a great way to learn about where your largest sources of energy are coming from. Some utility companies will conduct these for free or for a nominal cost. Otherwise, you can ask a professional electrician or contractor to conduct the audit. They’ll have comprehensive equipment such as surface thermometers and infrared cameras to identify what’s really going on.

Throughout the audit, you’ll learn about appliances that need to be replaced, areas that need to be better insulated, and even various tips to help you reduce your energy bill.

Do you need a Quality Evaporative Cooler to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency?

When you are ready to learn how to make your home energy efficient, allow us to talk to you about the benefits of a residential evaporative cooler. Call or fill out the online form to get a quote from us now.

Categorised in: Evaporative Water Coolers

This post was written by Mike Nicolini