Whether you’re looking to save money or save the environment, there are plenty of reasons to try to make your home more energy efficient. While some of these changes can be big and expansive, many of the most meaningful changes are also some of the simplest and smallest.
To help you see how some of these things can be done, here are three ways you can make your home more energy-efficient.
Turn Off And Unplug When Not In Use
Rather than bringing something into your home that can make it more energy-efficient, some of the best ways to increase your efficiency is to think about how you’re using things that are already filling up your home.
According to DIYNetwork.com, almost everyone can improve their energy efficiency by turning off or unplugging electrical items when they’re not in use. This can include things like turning off your computer monitor, unplugging battery chargers, and turning off the lights in rooms that are not occupied. While this might seem like small changes, they can all have a big impact when combined and extrapolated over homes and communities across the world.
Take Advantage Of Solar
Some of the biggest energy uses in a home are for heating and cooling. To reduce this in your own home, you may want to try taking advantage of solar energy.
Solar energy can mean a lot more than installing residential solar panels on your home. According to Adrienne So, a contributor to Wired.com, you can also use the energy of the sun to heat or cool your home the old-fashioned way. To do this, open your blinds and windows when you’d like your home to be warmer. And if your home is getting a little too warm, try blocking out the sun with heavy blackout blinds or drapes. By doing either one of these before you turn on your heating or cooling, you can make your home a lot more energy-efficient.
Seal Your Home
When you do have to use energy to heat or cool your home, it’s really only going to do you any good if your home is properly sealed and insulated.
As part of this, Jennie Dusheck, a contributor to LifeHacker.com, recommends that you make sure that all the walls in your home are airtight and properly insulated. Additionally, you should also ensure that your attic has adequate insulation and that all of your windows are sealed as well. Without this, all of the air that you’re paying to heat or cool will simply just slip out of your house.
If you’d like to begin taking some baby steps to make your home more energy-efficient, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do just this.
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