Are you looking for ways to decrease your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment? One of the best and easiest places to start is within your own home.
It’s where you spend the majority of your time, and one of the easiest places for you to control. This makes it a natural place to start improving energy efficiency. Here are a few ways that you can increase energy efficiency in your own home.
Adjust the Temperature
A small change that can make a big impact in your home has to with temperature. If you run your HVAC system often, this could be something that’s having a huge impact on your home's energy efficiency. Even a small tweak to the temperature can make a big difference in how much energy you are using.
Adjusting the thermostat to 68 degrees during winter, and 78 degrees in the summer, can improve your energy efficiency. This means you might have to wear a sweater in the winter while you’re inside, but that’s a simple adjustment. It will pay great dividends in the long run — trust me!
We have two thermostats. We have to keep one at a comfortable temperature for my 92-year-old grandfather, but the other one we keep it as low as we can tolerate.
New Windows & Screens Can Improve Energy Efficiency
Windows can be a big source of wasted energy in your home. If your windows are old, their seals may have broken down, or frames may have become warped (especially if they are old and wooden). This is letting excess, unwanted air into and out of your home. So, in the winter, not only is the outside cold air seeping into your home, but your heat is also escaping. This ultimately creates a highly energy-inefficient environment.
If you can afford it, getting new windows and screens is a great way to increase your energy efficiency at home. High-quality screens offer supreme durability, great visibility, UV protection. Plus SuperScreen products are carcinogen-free and are guaranteed to keep out pets and insects.
With new windows and an upgraded screen, you can expect to keep your home safer and cooler. And when your screens are upgraded, you can feel confident in leaving your windows open and relying on airflow instead of air conditioning to keep your house cool when it’s warm outside. This will decrease your energy bill and your carbon footprint!
Unplug Appliances When Not In Use
This one is easy – when you’re not using appliances, like your coffee maker, unplug them from the wall to conserve energy. Most people don’t realize this, but having electronics plugged in when you’re not using them in an energy-zapper and so easily avoidable.
Take a look at the appliances in your home and determine which ones you can unplug without affecting anything you’re currently doing. Chances are, there will be quite a few!
These are good suggestions. We have replaced windows with energy efficient ones, it is amazing how much warmer it is in winter, and cooler in summer, and quieter, too. Good savings on heating costs!
It helps a ton!! Especially this time of year 🙂