How to Save Energy at Home and Boost Efficiency
Many homeowners seek ways to save money, the environment, or both. One way is to reduce energy consumption. You can improve the efficiency of your home, protect the environment and reduce your utility bills by changing how you use appliances.
Home Energy Conservation Tips:
These are some ways to conserve energy and keep calm when you get your next utility bill.
Do not over-adjust your thermostat
Your thermostat habits can help you save money on your annual energy bill. Avoid turning down your thermostat during the summer heat as it will cause the house to cool more quickly. Air conditioners can cool your home by removing humidity. This takes some time. Because humidity isn’t removed, lowering the thermostat will not make your home cool more quickly. This will cause the AC to run longer to reach the lower thermostat setting point.
A smart thermostat will give you more control over the temperature settings. Smart thermostats learn your preferences and adjust your heating/cooling settings based on your behavior. The smart thermostat communicates with the temperature sensors in every room to adjust your home’s heating or cooling settings. Plus, smart home technology can decrease your energy consumption by 10-20% per month.
Find the right temperature setting point
The difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures will generally result in lower heating and cooling costs. You can experiment with your thermostat to find the ideal temperature for comfort and energy saving. When you are at home, set your thermostat at 25.5 C. This is the recommended setting point for the summer months. Adjust the temperature by one to two degrees each time. While managing humidity, you want to set the temperature as low as possible in winter and summer.
If you’re away, set your thermostat back
You can save heating costs by lowering your thermostat by as much as two degrees during winter months. This is a good strategy for heating, but not for summer. Humidity control is a key factor in cooling or heating a space. It takes more energy to remove humidity and bring your home to the desired temperature than it takes to keep it in that setting.
Utilize Your Ceiling Fan
You can also save energy by using your ceiling fan to cool your home. To create cool air, turn your fan counterclockwise as the summer draws near. If the temperature is hotter, you can use your ceiling fan to distribute cool air from your HVAC system throughout the home.
Ceiling fans are not only cool but can also save you money on heating. Running your fan counterclockwise during the cooler months can push warm air from the ceiling into the home, reducing the chance of a breeze.
A ceiling fan can be used to heat or cool your home. It will help you reduce your monthly energy costs and keep your home comfortable. Make sure the fan is spinning in the correct direction to achieve your desired effect.
Monitor your shower length and update your showerhead
You can reduce how much water you use when you shower by being more aware of how long the shower is running. You can set a timer for each shower if you have trouble with this. Low-flow showerheads are also recommended. Standard showerheads emit 2.5 gallons per minute, while low-flow showerheads only use 2 gallons or less. These little changes can save you water and money.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Your washer uses more hot water per load than your dishwasher and shower combined. A wash cycle that rinses your clothes in cold water is one of the best ways you can conserve energy. Consider replacing your washer with an energy-efficient model if it isn’t a high-efficiency model. To learn more about the energy efficiency of your appliance, refer to its EnerGuide label
Hang your clothes to dry while you are at it to increase energy savings in the laundry area.
Manage Your Electronics
Small amounts of electricity are used by smartphones, laptops, and game consoles as well as chargers. This can increase electricity costs. Did you know that an average Canadian household has 25 electronic devices? Phantom power is a term that describes devices that drain energy even when they aren’t being used. It can be as high as 10% of a home’s energy consumption. Monitoring your electronics and unplugging them after they have fully charged can help you save up to $150 per year.
Double-paned Windows
Your windows account for 15 to 20% of your home’s total. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that air does not leak through gaps and cracks in your windows. Even single-pane windows with the best seals have a low R-value insulation property. Double-pane windows are made with gas between the panes to improve insulation. Double-pane windows can increase your R-Value. They block air leaks in cold and warm conditions, which can help to raise your R. You can save nearly 25% on your annual energy bills by upgrading your windows.
Seal Your Chimney
It is essential to seal your fireplace’s chimney damper, especially in summer, if you have a wood-burning one. Heating and cooling can cause a chimney damper to warp and reduce its ability to seal. Hire a professional to repair your damper or install an inflatable chimney balloon. The chimney balloons inflate to form a tight seal inside your flue.
Attic Ventilation
Proper ventilation can help you save money on cooling and heating costs. Proper ventilation cools your home by moving hot air out of the attic. Proper ventilation prevents warm, moist winter air from condensing and lowers insulation’s effectiveness. To determine if your attic has adequate ventilation, consult a professional.
You can also add more insulation of the batting type to your attic to prevent hot and cold air from leaving your roof. There are many kinds of insulation. Get expert advice to choose the right insulation for you.
To Insulate Your Home, Use Shrubs and Plant Hedges
Like how trees shade your home in the summer, shrubs around your home can help protect your exterior walls from heat or cold. By creating an air barrier, shrubs, and hedges act as windbreaks. This helps to insulate exterior walls. To get the best results, place hedges in your region at least 30 cm away from exterior walls.
In the summer, close and cover your windows
Your home will feel uncomfortable and sticky if it is too humid. Your central air conditioner cools the home by removing moisture. It’s important that you keep your windows shut during warmer months. You open windows and let in humidity which can cause your air conditioner to run longer to maintain a cool indoor temperature. A home should have a humidity level between 35 to 50 percent. You can also reduce heat loss by closing windows during the summer months that receive direct sunlight.
You should upgrade your heating and cooling system
Modern HVAC systems are more energy efficient and less expensive to run, which can help you save money and energy. Renting a high-efficiency boiler or furnace is a good option if your heating system has reached its mid-efficiency. Consider replacing your AC unit with a high-efficiency model if it has less than 13 SEER. Ask our experts about cold-climate heat pumps (CCPs), which can be used to cool and heat areas of your home that are difficult to heat or cool.
