2018 is the year of energy-efficiency and environmental awareness. It is now popular and fashionable to reduce our plastic waste, save the environment, and reduce our energy usage. As the health of our planet is declining, people are becoming increasingly aware of their energy usage and environmental footprints and are choosing to make a positive different however they can.
So, to support homeowners in their fight to save the environment, we have written the top 7 ways you can make your home more energy efficient. Remember that being environmentally friendly at home is a lifestyle choice that could make all the difference to the future health of our planet.
Facts About Our Energy Usage
- An estimated 15 trillion watts of power are being used across our planet at any one time.
- 75% of the electricity used to power electronics in the home is consumed while the products are on standby.
- If everyone only boiled the water they needed for a cup of tea every time they used the kettle, the UK could ave enough electricity in one year to power all its street lights for nearly 7 months.
- Turning your thermostat down 1 degree can save £100 every year.
- Consider Installing Solar Panels
Solar panels are all the rage in 2018 and many homeowners and jumping on the benefits of this incredible product. If you can afford the initial cost, solar panels can be a significant investment. You can have them installed on the roof of your home where they will convert the sun’s rays into energy, allowing you to produce your own electricity for free!
If you’ve been considering how you can cut down on the energy consumption in your home, while also helping the environment, solar panels are certainly something worth considering.
2. Power Saving Light Fixtures and Fittings
Many countries have now made fitting power saving light fixtures and fittings a legal requirement. Installing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs ensures you save money while enjoying light bulbs which last 8 to 10 times longer. And if you don’t want to replace all the light fixtures and fittings in your home at once, why not begin by using a combination of both?
3. Install Tap Aerators
Saving water is an important aspect of energy efficiency on your home and one of the best ways to reduce your water usage on a daily basis. Tap aerators are a fantastic way to improve energy-efficiency. Aerators work by aerating the water, reducing your water usage, energy bills, and helping save the environment. You can also install dual-flush toilets, washing machines, and shower heads to help restrict water flow and reduce general water wastage.
4. Reduce Your Energy Usage
Another great way to increase your energy efficiency at home is to stop overusing appliances. Reduce use of your heater in the winter months – only switch it on if you absolutely have to. Try to keep your thermostats at a comfortable temperature and turn off your appliances even when they’re not in use, because believe it or not they use energy even when they’re not powered on!
5. Install Double Glazing
One of the most effective ways to make your home more energy efficient is to install double glazing. The heat in your home is most commonly lost through gaps in your windows, resulting in higher energy bills during the winter and a huge amount of heat loss. Single glazing is inefficient and can be a huge drain of energy, so the best solution is high-quality double glazing.
Double glazing has significant benefits and is one of the best ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home. In fact, saving energy in your home through the installation of double glazing can lower your energy bill by a shocking 25%! However, if the thought of installing double glazing is a little scary because of the costs involved, why not consider UPVC windows? These are an affordable option for many homeowners and keep your home safe, warm, secure, and efficient.
6. Plant Trees for Shade
Landscaping can be extremely effective at protecting your home from the heat of the sun on summer days, and stormy weather during the winter season. If you’ve got quite a bare landscape at home, try planting trees and shrubs for that much-needed protection and shade. The effect will be significant, and you will certainly notice a difference in the temperature of your home.
7. Install a Thermostat
Thermostats are a great way to control the temperature in your home and a programmable thermostat is a helpful and efficient way to reduce energy usage. A programmable thermostat is an affordable option for many home owners and can be extremely beneficial in the long-run, paying for the thermostat itself in a month or two alone.
8. Insulate Your Home Effectively
A home that is not properly insulated loses heat rapidly every day and is extremely inefficient. For example, radiators emitting heat out of a side facing wall in an uninsulated home leak heat straight through to the outside. Simply ensuring your home is insulated rids you of the problem, reduces your energy bills, and helps keep your house warm and energy efficient.
Did You Know?
- 48 people riding bikes for 24 hours can generate enough energy to power a TV for one week.
- One hour’s worth of energy from the sun could power the Earth for one year.
- Renewable energy creates three times more job opportunities than the fossil fuel industry.
From lighting solutions to solar panels, planting trees to aerators, there are many ways to make your home more energy efficient. We hope you’ve found this article useful and that it has inspired you to make a couple of changes in your home.