HOW TO MAKE YOUR NEW HOME ENERGY-EFFICIENT

HOW TO MAKE YOUR NEW HOME ENERGY-EFFICIENT

We are living in an era of technology and innovation. Smart technology and renewable energy resources made energy efficiency widely adopted. With all these fantastic innovations, people want to make their homes and life greener. Eco-friendly changes can help the Earth, improve our communities, and reduce energy bills. In the following article, you can find helpful tips and advice on making your new home more energy-efficient.

The benefits of making your new home energy-efficient

Here are the main reasons why you should opt to make your new home energy-efficient:

  • You’ll have financial savings in the long run.
  • It will increase your comfort level.
  • Energy efficiency reduces the impact on climate change – global warming.
  • It reduces pollution. Conventional power production pollutes the air, soil, and water supplies.

Think about the thermostat

Lowering the temperature on your thermostat while you are away from home can reduce your monthly bills. Drop the temperature by just 3 to 5 degrees, and the thermostat will use less energy. If you lower it even more, by 10 to 15 degrees while you’re at work, you can make significant savings each year.

Another option is to install a programmable smart thermostat. It allows heating and cooling appliances to be automatically turned down when no one is home or at night.

Seal the windows

Seal the air leaks in and around your windows in the new home. For drafty windows, you can place weatherstripping around the frames. Add a speck of silicone caulk over cracks in the drywall. You can also apply a sheet of shrink film to your windows for better insulation.

The best solution for your home’s insulation would be to install double-glazed windows. They make your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer while reducing energy use, condensation, and noise.

Be conscious about using water.

Make some small changes to your water usage, such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving. Whenever you can, take a shower instead of a bath because you’ll probably use much less water. Install a low-flow showerhead and low-flow toilet to improve your new home’s water efficiency.

Don’t put half-loads of laundry in your washer. Get more clothes washed at once to conserve water and save money. Whenever you can, avoid running your washer with hot water. Instead, opt for cold or warm water. The vast majority of the energy used by your washer is actually used to heat the water, not run the machine. Using cooler water for every load can be a significant energy-saver.

 

Limit space heater use

Electric and gas space heaters aren’t the most energy-efficient way to heat your home. Traditional space heaters use a lot of energy and make your utility bill high. However, there are more recent models on the market that are more sustainable and cheaper to run.

Use greener bulbs

Incandescent bulbs are not energy-efficient and long-lasting. Replace them with halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps, or preferably with LED bulbs. Using greener bulbs will help you save on your electricity bill.

Unplug unused chargers

Unplug your chargers when not in use because they are still using a lot of energy. One charger may not be able to impact your energy bill, but all of them collectively will make a difference.

Install solar panels

Solar panels may not be a cheap solution for your new home, but they are definitely a long-term solution for greener living. Solar energy has many advantages; it’s sustainable, needs little maintenance, and will increase your home’s value. You’ll be able to heat water and generate electricity in an eco-friendly way. Solar panels are usually installed on the roof. They generate energy independently and cut electricity costs significantly.

 

 

Tune up your HVAC system

An annual tune-up on your HVAC system will ensure that your furnace and A/C are running as efficiently as possible. Check-up means ensuring all connections are tightened, all parts are sufficiently lubricated, and the coils are cleaned. A home heating and cooling check-up will save energy.

Buy an energy-efficient fireplace.

Some people find wood-burning fireplaces as the best form of heating their homes during the winter. If you’re looking to buy one for your new home, ensure you find an energy-efficient model. You’ll be able to enjoy comfortable temperatures indoors while still saving energy.

Cook smart

While cooking, we often waste an immense amount of energy. Make your cooking less wasteful by following these steps:

  • Choose an energy-efficient oven. They use fans that force hot air to circulate more evenly. It allows food to be cooked at a lower temperature while using less electricity.
  • Alternatively, use the microwave oven whenever you can because it consumes much less energy than a conventional oven.
  • Place your pans on the matching size heating element.
  • Use lids on pots and pans to heat the food more quickly.
  • A pressure cooker can reduce cooking time and save energy.

 

 

Green relocation to your new home

If you want to live an eco-friendly life and make your new home energy-efficient, you should also try to employ the same tactics when packing for the move. You can make your relocation as green as possible, as green packing and storing are becoming more popular. It’s nothing as complicated or expensive as people may think at first. You can choose reusable packing materials, such as plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes, and opt for an eco-friendly option to transport your items. Start the new chapter in your life completely green and stress-free.

Perform an Energy Audit

Before introducing all eco-friendly solutions into your life, hire a certified energy auditor after moving to your new home. They will evaluate the inefficiencies and wasted energy in the house. A professional auditor should inspect and around your home and point out opportunities for savings. They will identify areas that need some improvements so you can plan updates according to that.

Home remodelling

If you see that your new home needs many adaptions to become energy-efficient, maybe you’ll want to remodel it and make it fit all your needs and preferences. In that case, you’ll need to put your belongings away during the process. While the major renovations are done, ensure that your items are safely stored in a secured storage unit. Again, you can opt for green solutions. Many storage facilities use solar panels for cooling and heating.

Final thoughts

There are many ways to make your new home energy-efficient and countless benefits of introducing each of them. Use appliances and electronics responsibly, and heat and cool your house in the same way. Seal and insulate everything in your new home. Change the way you do laundry, and use LED lights. All of these steps will make a significant impact, both on your pockets and our planet.

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