10 Practical Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Posted by UK Home Improvement on 1st August 2023 -

Energy costs are quickly weighing upon our shoulders along with our other daily necessities. So no matter how smart the electrical system in your house becomes, you have to keep the energy cost in check.

Therefore, it’s essential to make your home more energy efficient. Remember, going energy efficient not only makes you responsible toward the environment, but it’s financially beneficial too. 

Let’s explore ten practical ways to make your home more energy-efficient. Our list comprises simple behavioural changes as well as investing in advanced technologies to achieve that efficiency level. 

Optimise Your Insulation

You have to optimise your house’s insulation to improve its energy efficiency. Proper insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature inside your home. It further optimises the heating and cooling system of your house for minimum energy cost. 

Leave no gaps or leaks in windows, doors, walls, etc., to keep energy usage down. Besides, insulating the spaces at attics, basements, and like will lower your energy consumption too.

Optimise Heating and Cooling

Your regular and keen maintenance can extend the lifecycles of the heating and cooling systems of your house. As they account for a significant amount of power consumption, they require regular cleaning, repairing, and replacements of the air filters. Thus you can ensure proper airflow through their systems. 

You can do two things, installing a programmable thermostat and sealing ductwork. The former will help you set flexible temperatures throughout the day. The latter will minimize heat loss or gain during air distribution.

Besides, opt for air source heat pumps to optimise your heating and cooling systems for reduced heating bills and more energy efficiency. 

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows

Double-pane windows are efficient in reducing energy consumption at home. So, consider replacing your old single-pane windows with double-pane ones. 

You can achieve a state of reduced heat transfer with energy-efficient windows. Some windows may even have triple-pane features, gas fills, low emissivity, and more. 

Embrace Natural Light

Balancing natural and electric lights can go a long way in saving energy at home. Let the sunlight enter your house by removing curtains and blinds during the daytime. 

Getting habituated to natural lights lessens the need for artificial lights. It shines along the spaces of your room and keeps your energy cost low. Having skylights in your house can also brighten your home while cutting on electric light usage. 

Upgrade to LED Lighting

It’s ubiquitous nowadays to install LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs in both residential and commercial spaces. LED lights are way more energy efficient than the old-time incandescent lights. 

In fact, LED lights and bulbs consume 60-80% less electricity. They last longer while emanating a tolerable heat level. If you’re worried about their high price, remember, their long-term energy efficiency and durability will surely pay off. 

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

One of the major sources of energy consumption is home appliances. And having energy-efficient home appliances is a vital way to control energy wastage. So, consider installing appliances that are ENERGY STAR labeled. 

Why so? It’s because ENERGY STAR-certified home appliances are engineered to consume less energy. They don’t even compromise the functionality or risk the power system of your house. 

Hence, replace your old appliances with an ENERGY STAR-labeled washing machine, air conditioner, refrigerator, and so on to see the change.  

Harness Renewable Energy

Undoubtedly, renewable energy has become a modern talking point to save the environment from its peril. And you can contribute to saving the environment by harnessing renewable energy too. 

Today, it’s better to invest in renewable energy sources. It’s a wise move to power and sustain your home. The most popular method to procure natural renewable energy is solar panels. It’s surely costly, but it’s really energy-efficient. 

Use Water Wisely

Water supply requires a significant amount of power consumption. So, if you use water prudently, you can help save energy. Conserving water further benefits the environment. 

So, check your water faucets, taps, garden hose, bathtub, etc., to see if any leaks exist there. Fix them quickly to stop water wastage. Also, go for solar-powered heaters to save money on water heating. 

Unplug Electronics and Appliances

Have you ever heard the term “phantom power?” Actually, it’s a state where you keep your electronic devices and appliances plugged in even when they’re turned off. 

It may seem harmless; however, even this can take a toll over time on the power sockets and the devices. So, unplug devices if they’re not being charged and use power strips to power up several appliances at a time. 

Educate and Involve Your Family

Making your home more energy-efficient is a team effort. And who could be better teammates than your family members, especially when you’re living under the same roof? 

So, maintain and establish good practices of using energy-efficient appliances, keeping windows and doors closed, using water wisely, keeping idle devices unplugged, and so forth. Encourage all to choose the best kitchen appliances, electronic gadgets, etc., for optimised power consumption. 

How Do You Measure Energy Efficiency at Home?

If you want to take a step further, measure your house’s energy efficiency by:

• analyzing monthly energy bills for average consumption rate and trends
• conducting a professional or DIY energy audit 
• using energy monitoring systems 
• checking for ENERGY STAR ratings when buying appliances, and 
• utilizing online energy calculators for estimation and improvement.

Besides, measure the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of your home. It’s a vital method of figuring out how much power you’re consuming per square foot of your living area. Hence, sum up your monthly energy consumption (in kilowatt-hours or kilojoules). Now divide the amount by the total area (square footage) of your home. 

Moreover, you’re free to conduct a DIY home energy audit. It’s a cost-effective approach to identify areas where you can increase energy efficiency. Here’s what you should do:

• Inspect windows and doors for drafts at least once a month.
• Check the insulation in the attics and walls.
• Seal air leaks with weatherstripping or caulking. 
• Examine your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system quarterly, half-yearly, or at least yearly.
• Clean or replace the air filters of your heating and cooling systems regularly. 

You can take necessary measures based on the ten energy-saving ways we’ve shared once you’re done with your audit. 

Bottom Line

Ensuring energy efficiency at home may sound cumbersome. Nonetheless, it pays off highly in terms of the environment as well as your savings. Consider implementing the ten practical ways listed above to reduce your carbon footprint on Earth.  

Remember, the whole effort is a combination of behavioural transition and investing in energy-efficient appliances. So, balance the two with regular practice and a collective effort within the family. 

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