There are many advantages of living a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. For one, investing in energy efficiency can help leave a more sustainable planet for future generations. In addition, investing in energy efficient technology and practices can help reduce costs of living, such as energy bills.
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to make your home more energy efficient. No matter how big or small, every step is impactful.
#1 Invest in Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating can be an energy-efficient solution for your home.
Radiant heating, which directly warms objects and people through infrared radiation from heated surfaces, provides a comfortable warmth similar to sunlight.
By using radiant heat panels or radiant underfloor heat mats, you can transform cold tiles into a warm oasis.
According to Green Wave Distribution, these systems offer indirect, diffused heat that rises from the floor and is absorbed by surrounding objects, creating a more evenly distributed and comfortable heat.
While the initial installation cost may be higher, radiant heating systems are more energy-efficient and can help lower long-term heating costs.
Consulting with a heating professional, such as Greenwave, can provide personalized recommendations and ensure that you choose the most suitable and energy-efficient solution for your rooms.
#2 Upgrade Your Windows
Windows can be a significant source of energy loss in any home. Old, outdated, or poorly installed windows can leak air and make your HVAC system work harder to cool your home in the summer and heat your home in the winter.
You may consider investing in double or triple-paned windows. The extra layers of glass can beef up your windows and minimize the impact of temperature changes.
Window insulation is another option. The film can help reduce air leakage and energy loss.
It’s best to work with a professional team of window and door manufacturers. For example, Golden Windows is renowned for high-quality aluminum, wood, and vinyl windows that are energy efficient and can lower your home’s heating and cooling bills. Upgrading your windows with their products may also qualify you for up to $10,000 in rebates as part of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative.
#3 Invest in Insulation
Investing in insulation can help maintain your home’s temperate and reduce the workload on your HVAC. So, what does insulation do? In a nutshell, insulation blocks heat transfer. Installing insulation in wall cavities, basements, and attics will have an immediate impact. Please also seal any gaps and cracks. If nothing else, it’ll keep the type of critters away that love chewing on your home and creating more gaps and cracks.
Ensuring that your walls, basement, and attic are properly insulated can be quite helpful. Purchasing energy efficient basement windows is also a good idea as it can help maintain a basement’s temperature and improve home safety too.
#4 Optimize Lighting
Yes, lighting can affect energy efficiency and heating in multiple ways. For one, using bulbs and lamps that use more electricity is obviously problematic. For the other, using artificial lighting more frequently can also raise your energy consumption.
You should start by switching to LED light bulbs, which use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. You should also consider buying dimmers or motion sensors, as they help control the amount of light used.
Investing in the right windows can also optimize lighting. With energy efficient windows letting in more natural light, you’ll be less inclined to activate artificial lighting.
Please also consider opening your shades and curtains and drawing back your blinds to let natural light flood your home during daylight hours. Natural light not only reduces energy usage, but also provides many health benefits. Energy efficient windows that let the sunlight in without allowing the cool air to escape can be particularly beneficial here.
#5 Use Smart Technology
Using smart technology such as smart lightbulbs, smart coffee machines, and smart thermostats can be an excellent way to modernize your home and make it more eco-friendly. For example, a smart thermostat will help you optimize your HVAC settings, ensuring that your home is at the optimal temperature at the right time of day with less power consumption.
Likewise, smart lighting technology can sense when your home needs artificial lighting. For convenience, such technology can also be controlled with voice commands too.
#6 Choose Energy Efficient Appliances
Many homeowners think twice before upgrading their appliances to energy efficient alternatives because of the upfront costs. However, upgrading to energy efficient alternatives can help reduce your carbon footprint and energy bills in the long run. In fact, there’s a huge difference between an energy-efficient model and an older, less efficient model.
Moreover, equipping your home with energy efficient appliances may also elevate your property value. Many localities also offer nice incentives for purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
Look for appliances with Energy Star ratings, which indicate that the device is certified to use less energy than comparable models.
#7 Change Your Kitchen Habits
Kitchens can drain a lot of energy, especially if you’re not mindful of your habits. Perhaps the biggest culprit is the electric oven as it requires a lot of energy to start up and maintain a temperature. Consider switching to gas as gas is more efficient than electricity.
Using a microwave can also be more energy efficient than using an oven powered by electricity in some situations. For example, it takes less energy to heat up a small amount of food in a microwave than in a large oven.
Please also consider using timer modes and temperature settings in the kitchen to reduce your impact on the environment. For example, slow cooking at lower temperatures will consume less energy. You can also learn some energy efficient cooking tricks. For example, if you are roasting vegetables, you can fit more in a single layer on a baking sheet and reduce cook time and energy usage. Lastly, you can consider switching to a convection oven. A convection oven circulates heat evenly and efficiently for faster cooking.
Conclusion
These are six ways you can live a more energy efficient lifestyle. Invest in more sustainable technology and learn more eco-friendly practices to reduce your impact on the environment and lower your energy bills.
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