Green Living – 10 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
There are few homeowners willing to ignore cost-effective ways of saving money on their household bills; so it comes as no surprise a growing number of homeowners are educating themselves on how to make their home more energy efficient.
The smallest changes can yield the biggest results. Whether it is the simple act of replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents or larger tasks like installing low-flush toilets, every conscious undertaking is a step toward increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
Some homeowners may feel their home does not need to be energy efficient because it is either a new build or not broken or in need of fixing. Both are common misconceptions costly for not only the homeowner but also the environment.
An energy audit is a wise investment for many homeowners eager to see where their home’s energy efficiency could be improved. It is recommended homeowners hire a certified energy advisor from a licensed service organization to conduct the audit. The energy advisor will conduct a thorough evaluation of the home, and provide a detailed record of recommended upgrades or renovations.
Some of the most significant energy upgrades homeowners can make include:
- Installing a programmable thermostat, or lowering the heat during the cold months when you are not home. Each degree below 68°F (20°C) during colder weather saves 3%-5% more heating energy.
- Caulking to improve your home’s air tightness.
- Switching from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent or LED light bulbs.
- Installing water-saver flush kits or replacing regular toilets with low-flow toilets.
- Replacing regular shower heads with low-flow or energy-efficient shower heads.
- Weatherstripping around doors and windows.
- Replacing appliances older than 15 years old with Energy Star models.
- Using a room air conditioner to cool down one room rather than the entire cooling system.
- Turning off lights, computers, and household items like appliances and electronics when not in use.
- Using cold water to reduce the energy consumption of your washing machine and adjusting the water levels to coordinate the size of laundry loads.
Kamla Wray is the managing editor at http://www.allinthehome.com, Ontario’s newest home improvement and renovations guide. Over the past 20 years she has been fortunate enough to dabble in various media entities including: radio, television, newspaper, magazine, and Internet publishing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kamla_Wray
Thanks for the information! I wanted to know how to save some money on my energy bill during 90+ degree weather so I went online to http://www.lauryheating.com. They have a whole page on money-saving ideas to keep your heating/ac bills under control.