An energy efficient home is not only good for the environment, but it is also good for your wallet. If you want to save money while also doing your part to conserve our planet’s precious natural resources, then consider making the following changes around your house. These 5 small household changes can make a big impact on your monthly bill as well as on our planet’s future.
1.Install Double Glazed Windows
Double glazed windows are much more effective at insulating your home than regular windows. Additionally, these windows also help to control sound and condensation. Replacing single glazed windows in your home with double glazed windows can make a significant difference in your energy consumption and spending.
2.Replace Incandescent Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are appallingly inefficient. Switching to either LEDs or CFLs is bound to save you boatloads of money in the long run, as lighting can make up to one-third of your energy bill each month.
Both LEDs and CFLs last much longer than incandescent bulbs and they tend to provide much brighter, concentrated light as well. CFLs can last up to 10,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs usually burn out at around 1,000 hours. The average home uses 40 bulbs at once, so making the switch to a longer lasting bulb will not take long to make a big difference.
3.Use a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters only heat water when it is needed. Cold water travels into the appliance, which heats it immediately when it is needed with a gas or electric heating instrument. Traditional water heaters always use much more energy keeping a large amount of water heated. These on-demand systems are becoming more and more popular because of their many benefits.
4.Utilize Low Flow Toilets and Showerheads
Another way to conserve water is to use low flow toilets and showerheads. Toilets are one of the biggest users of water in the house. These two devices will limit the amount of water that these appliances use so that you don’t have to change your habits at all to see savings.
Most low-flow showerheads use about half the water that traditional showerheads utilize, so if you are guilty of taking 30-minute showers, then this is something that you definitely need to look into. Another great thing about these changes is that they are some of the most inexpensive on this list.
5.Insulate Your Attic
Uninsulated attics can cost you a fortune in lost heat, especially if you live in a cold climate. Hot air rises, and if your attic is not well insulated, then that heat is likely to escape through it. This will require your heater to work much harder to keep your house comfortable in the winter. While this fix is a bit more expensive than some of the others on this list, it also tends to see the biggest payoff as heating and cooling a home is one of the largest expenses that homeowners undertake. Other areas of the home you should consider insulating are the garage and the basement.
Conclusion
While making these changes may require you to invest some time and energy upfront, they are sure to make a big difference over time in terms of your savings and your impact on the environment. Not all these changes need to be made at once, either. Committing to making one of these changes each year can be very effective. One step forward is much better than no progress at all. What are you waiting for? Start saving money and our planet today by upgrading your home’s energy efficiency!