How Many Light Bulbs Are In The Average American Household?

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Many homeowners in today’s America, are aware of steps that can be taken to reduce the normal household expenses. Everyday things like sealing windows and doors, to insulating attic spaces properly can yield high returns for ones investment dollar. However one of the most over-looked ways to save money is by changing light bulbs.

Sure, we have all heard for years about switching to compact fluorescent lamps, and how changing one bulb can save up to $67.00 in energy. Further, many of us have gone to a store, purchased a few and started to save energy. We have prided ourselves on getting rid of the old incandescent light bulbs as part of our own person efforts to save the planet, but have we done all we can do? Chances are you have not even touched the tip of the energy-saving ladder.

Recently we conducted a home survey of over 500 homes in the southern Florida. Our intent was to find out what the average home usage of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s) is. Our results were staggering and to say the least surprising. In our survey of mid size homes we found that only one in four (1:4) homes was currently using CFL’s. Further we found that not a single homeowner had changed all of their incandescent bulbs to CFL light bulbs.

In this study, home owners were asked an introductory question. How many light bulbs are in your home? Upon tallying and averaging the results to the question, the average American home owner guess was twenty-one incandescents per household. As part of our survey for the American home, each home owner was walked room by room, and around the outside of the home, counting each light. Not one person was able to guess or identify the true average number for their home. The average number of light bulbs per household was a whopping forty-seven, energy wasting lamps.

By our estimates, over 90% of residential consumers of electricity are not reaching their potential savings. If we calculate the energy savings obtainable by switching or replacing traditional incandescent or halogen’s in a home at a rate of $67.00 each, then the total achievable savings per home would be $3149.00.

Each home may vary in size, layout and number of fixtures or portable lamps, but here are the most commonly missed areas found in our survey and why you should chose to use them:

  • Outdoors: Porch lights and motion activated security lights can give great energy savings when changed to an energy saving lamp. Make sure the product you purchase is rated for use with switching devices.
  • Torchiere Lamps: Consider replacing double ended halogen fixtures with lamps that use a traditional screw base.
  • Closets: Using CFL bulbs in closets can aid in matching clothing colors because they provide higher color rendering and make sorting of blacks and dark blues easier.
  • Garage: Because CFL’s have higher color temperatures such as daylight, this makes it easier to perform tasks in traditionally poorly lit areas. Don’t forget the bulb inside the garage door opener.
  • Laundry Room: Using fluorescent or compacts in this area makes better use of task lighting for pre-treating clothing and sorting of stained items.
  • Refrigerator: Though this light doesn’t stay on long, LED bulbs may save up to $30.00 and keep food fresher.
  • Hallways: Though many people do not use them often, replacing bulbs in this area comes in handy when you need them.
  • Bathrooms: newer compact fluorescent lamps do not have long warm up times as older lamps. Using them in this area can drastically reduce electricity while providing better quality of light for tasks such as makeup and grooming.

Try the home survey for yourself. Make a chart of each type of light bulbs found in and out of your house or condominium. Denote which wattages and base types are required, and then find the energy-saving products that are available and simply add up your savings. Not only will it surprise you but you might just be able to afford that new energy-saving dishwasher you had your eye on!

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Source by Matt Gregg

Living And Working In Sustainable Environments – Energy Management Systems

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Energy Management Systems can range from a simple dual light switch or a dimmer to a full-blown server-based system controlling climate and lighting from an integrated energy management system. It all depends on your application which technology, if any, is most appropriate to achieve an energy-saving that outweighs the cost of the management system itself. This means the implementation cost should amortize over the lifetime of the building and the management product as well as the ongoing cost should be far less than the saving benefit attributable to the energy management system.

It is important to know that the smart grid can control mission critical energy distribution on a larger scale but local energy management devices and software can save a much larger amount of energy. Local dimming, motion sensing and daylight sensing can automate and save energy use to a far larger extent than the smart grid can also allowing users to decide for themselves what they consider mission critical for their home or business rather than the government or the energy providers.

Energy management systems of the future, and some do already deliver the future today, have to combine electrical devices, lighting, air-conditioning and heating, fresh air and heat exchangers from one central and independent system.

When replacing an outdated energy management system or implementing energy management for the first time, you may want to consider what the near future brings. For the experts it is already clear today that solid state lighting will be the future and that conventional and gas-discharge lighting is going to disappear with digital dimming rather than conventional dimming taking the stage.

In 2012 the a new ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 standard came into effect and it is expected to be implemented or used as the basis for a model code for states and municipalities, focusing on its prescriptive lighting power requirements as well as significant changes to its scope and administrative requirements. The updated standard has extensive new mandatory and optional lighting control requirements and its changes regarding controls are nothing short of historic.

However, those model codes do not consider the possibility of highly efficient lighting devices that can produce more light output for even less power input, allowing higher than prescribed light levels while staying well below the maximum power allowed for the application nor do they take into consideration that the power may be generated and used locally in a fully sustainable way, in which case none of the ordinances can apply as they relate only to grid supplied or publicly generated power.

This brings me to my favorite subject DC Systems mixed with AC Systems and devices that can be grid and 48-V DC powered as well as having the kind of controls required to cost effectively provide the highest levels of energy savings. Electricians have to be introduced to those new systems and the need to upgrade their knowledge to DC Systems and Controls is urgent.

Architects and Interior Designers have to request those features from Electrical and Mechanical Design companies and the ME companies have to get trained to understand the new requirements and what kind of infrastructure they need and what is available. They may want to look outside the incumbent players and consider some more advanced systems which are currently not provided by the major brands in that space but are available from new players in the field of Building Automation and 48V-DC Systems.

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Source by Klaus Bollmann

How Can You Save Money With Solar Energy?

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Everyone loves finding ways to save a little bit of money on their home expenses, and one home expense that can frequently get pricey is the monthly power bill. These days, homeowners as well as business owners in Tasmania and around the world are beginning to see some of the benefits of setting up their very own solar systems and using the all-natural power of the sun to provide electricity to their homes and offices.

Setting up solar systems for Hobart homes and businesses is quite simple, and is getting more affordable every year. Not only do people who choose to go solar get to enjoy the notion of using renewable energy to power their homes, but they also frequently get to enjoy a good deal of savings thanks to their switch to solar power.

How Does it Work?

When you get up and running with your own solar system, you will hopefully be able to see right away just how it will be able to help you save a good deal of cash on your monthly power bill. Depending on your usage, one could greatly reduce their electricity bills.

Solar systems are quite simple in how they work. When the sun is actively shining on your panels, your system will be gathering energy from the sun and run all of your connected electronic gadgets and appliances on that collected energy. At the end of the month, anything you don’t end up using will be sold back to the power grid. When you think about it, you might not only end up saving money on those monthly bills, but might even end up getting a little money back for the switch to solar power.

Savings can also depend on the amount of solar panels installed. The more panels that a homeowner or business owner has on their property actively collecting light from the sun, the more energy will be collected for the home or office to use.

Keep in mind that savings can depend entirely on usage and of course, on the sun shining. If there is more cloud cover than sunshine on certain days, the amount of collected power won’t be as great and the home or office might end up having to run off the main electrical grid until more energy is collected from the sun.

Is Solar Power For You?

Any homeowner or business owner on Tasmania looking to save some money on their monthly energy bills might be interested in trying out a residential or commercial solar system of their own. Not only will it save money in the long run, but it might even help make a little cash back from the energy sold back to the grid.

It’s never been easier to get a house or office set up and outfitted with its own solar system, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with solar systems in Hobart professionals to get one of your own set up and begin saving on your own energy bills.

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Source by Edmund Brunetti

Save Money by Saving Energy

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Using less energy is not only better for the environment it will also save you money! The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by putting energy-saving measures into place, the average UK household could save up to £250 a year.

How much money can I save?

You can save quite a lot without even buying specifically energy-efficient products. The average 42″ plasma screen television uses consumes roughly 300W of energy per hour. If it is on for 4 hours every evening, it will cost approximately £4.90 a month to run. By simply powering it down completely when not in ise it instead of leaving it on standby you can reduce this cost by a third immediately.

Computers are also likely to rack up your bill. Did you know that a single computer left on 24 hours a day will cost you over £50 a year in electricity? If you switch it off whenever you are not using it, you could reduce this figure to under £10!

Make sure you’re getting the best energy deal

Make sure you’re getting the best price for your gas and electricity. There are plenty of comparison sites out there on the internet that you can use to measure your provider against others and see whether you’re getting a good deal or not. It may be worth your while to switch.

Use an energy tracker

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to boil a kettle or to straighten your hair? An energy tracker is an easy to use device that will help you keep track of your consumption. Once you have programmed in the tariff, simply plug in your appliance and the energy tracker will provide you with an instant read-out of the running cost. If you are aware of the costs it’s much easier to reduce your consumption and save money.

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Source by Dale A Davies

Home Energy Audits

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Though there are numerous things that can be done to make the house more energy efficient, it is important to know about the best solution among the available options.

First step in making your home energy efficient is to get a home audit done which helps you assess the energy needs of your home. This helps you find out how much energy your home uses and what steps should be taken to optimally use energy and improve the efficiency of your home. Care must be taken to implement the recommendations because audits alone cannot save energy; you also need to take energy saving measures.

Some may recommend that you do the home energy audit on your own as hiring a professional may be an expensive affair, especially for those with already tight budgets. However, you need to realize that an audit done by you cannot be as precise as the one done by a pro. Hence, it is advisable that you hire a professional who has substantial experience in performing home energy audits. Once you have made the decision to seek help, contact a professional home energy auditor. The auditor will check your utility bills, examine your property and energy usage as well as perform certain tests.

The standardized tests employed by most of the professionals comprise blower door test and thermographic scan. In the blower door test, professional installs a large fan into the frame of an exterior door of your home and turns it on. As a result, air blows from inside to outside that creates a lower air pressure within the house as compared to outside. Owing to the lower air pressure, the outside air is drawn into the house through the gaps and vents in the structure of your house. In the thermographic scan, the professional makes use a camera or other scanning devices to take pictures of your home on an infrared spectrum. These pictures make it easy for the auditor to identify areas that have gaps or vents from where your home is losing heat or letting in cold.

With all the requisite data in hand, auditor will be able to recommend a detailed plan to improve the energy efficiency of your home. This plan will vary from one home to another as the energy requirements and use of your home will be differ from that of your neighbor’s house. However, most of the auditors recommend measures like improving insulation, upgrading appliances, as well as installing a programmable thermostat and weather stripping, among other steps.

Home energy audit along with the implementation of the recommended steps not only helps in making your home energy efficient but also saves money. On an average, 30% utility savings can be achieved on your pre-audit energy bills if adequate measures are taken to enhance the energy efficiency of your home. Hence, it is advisable to get a home energy audit done at the earliest and save energy as well as money.

Energy saving homes, loft insulation, microgeneration, Energy saving, wall insulation, energy efficiency, energy audit

Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

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Source by Motti V

30% Of Energy Used In A Commercial Building Is Wasted Because Of Inefficiences

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This statistic as published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is staggering. The energy wasted is due to inefficiencies primarily in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems (MEP). If your business is in manufacturing the energy wasted can be significantly more due to the waste heat generated which is often exhausted to the atmosphere. Facilities that operate 24/7/365 such as resort hotels, hospitals, municipalities, institutions, etc., can have a tremendous energy spend as well.

That is why a 15-Step, staged Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Process is recommended to maximize results. Similar to the approach as recommended by the EPA’s Energy Star Program which accounts for the interactions of all the energy flows in a facility. Each stage includes changes that will affect the upgrades performed in subsequent stages, thus setting the overall process up for the greatest energy and cost savings possible. Perfect examples are how the lighting affects the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration (HVAC&R) load and how natural light affects the lighting and HVAC&R systems. How improper ventilation affects work productivity, heating, cooling and motor efficiency.

How Air Infiltration affects the HVAC systems.

The 15-step Program is tailored for the client that has an energy intensive facility and is seeking cost-effective solutions as to how to reduce their energy spend and wants to take action. A client can expect 10-40% in energy reduction after the strategies are implemented. Keep in mind this is year after year savings.

How do you as a business owner or a non-profit address the issue without breaking the bank. There are many cost-effective energy waste reduction strategies that can be implemented. In some cases, there are no-cost energy conservation measures (ECM) and low-cost energy efficiency measures (EEM) that can be implemented immediately that will reduce your energy use. In other cases, there are modifications, upgrades, operational and optimization strategies that will improve the efficiency of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems (MEP) and the building envelope.

Every commercial building can use a re-commissioning process to unlock the energy saving potential. Commissioning is essentially a tune up of the major energy consuming systems. E.G. HVAC system, refrigeration, electrical, water heating and other mechanical equipment. However, energy intensive industries will benefit most. Whereas, the mechanical systems rarely shut down because of clientele, production or necessity.

As a business or entity, if you identify as a high energy user, one can benefit from comprehensive energy reduction. Find a professional that is qualified and passionate about energy waste reduction and committed to achieve the best results for their clients.

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Source by Dave Borgaro

Do Deep Green-Energy Efficiency Upgrades Make Economic Sense?

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First of all, not every green or energy efficiency item will provide a substantial rate-of-return or ROI. Replacing carpet with bamboo flooring makes perfect environmental sense but might not be justified through an economic payback calculation. Replacing a gravel driveway with permeable pavement is an admirable retrofit project but, since gravel is also permeable, the environmental impact is probably negligible. Certain energy and green retrofit items just do not provide a high ROI but are still well worth doing for other reasons, such as building durability, safety, healthier indoor environment, etc.

In terms of economic justification for a deep energy-green retrofit project are there ways to determine if the entire project should be able to pay for itself through savings of energy, water and other resources? The answer is yes if you understand the art and science behind modeling. The question of “how much energy or water will a project save” can only be answered by examining the proposed energy and water efficiency measures individually and also in groupings to determine the overall amount of energy and/or water savings potential. You must also factor in the present and predicted future cost of energy and water to compare the ‘net present value’ of the overall project investment against the cost of doing nothing & just paying the ongoing energy and water bills. (Point of fact: Most people do not understand that they pay dearly every day for wasted energy, water and other resources and that this wasted money can and should be used to pay for intelligent reductions.)

While it is nearly impossible to predict how much our natural resources will escalate in cost in the future, it is safe to assume that our vital finite resources, such as natural gas, coal, oil, electricity and, yes, even clean water, will rise in cost in relation to scarcity over time. So, it is wise to include some form of price escalation factor into your overall energy and water conservation model. Historically, the cost of conventional energy and water has risen over time in a fairly predictable manner and will likely continue to do so in the future. The actual degree or magnitude of these increases falls into the realm of speculation but this unknown variable itself has made some people wary and uncomfortable. In other words, large spikes in energy cost can and do happen and availability of clean water is becoming a world-wide concern.

On the other hand, with the sophisticated test equipment and software available today it is possible to determine the amount of energy and water savings attributable to an improvement ‘package‘ to a very accurate degree. It is not uncommon to find that a deep energy-green retrofit will produce a ROI of 30% or more, which is better that nearly every other type of investment available today. Plus, if you factor in an energy supply system, such as a solar energy or wind system, then the ongoing cost for conventional energy drops even more… perhaps to the point that the renewable energy system produces enough site-based energy to offset the remaining monthly cost for conventional energy. This is now known as a ‘net zero energy home’ or super energy efficient home. Note: Some energy utilities charge a minimum monthly fee or customer charge that can not be offset by on-site energy production. The only way to avoid the monthly customer charge is to disconnect completely from your energy utility provider(s), aka disconnecting from the grid or going ‘off-grid’.

There are many factors to consider when evaluating a substantial number of green and/or energy savings retrofit options and opinions abound on what is best to do or to avoid. What is the best way to start? Since this article is about residential improvements then it is wise to take the time required to find an experienced certified home energy rater or HERS* rater. A knowledgeable and experienced home energy rater understands how to use the sophisticated energy testing equipment needed to evaluate the energy situation of your existing residence, whether it is an apartment, single family home, multi-family dwelling… , and he/she has access to the energy evaluation software needed to perform the energy modeling necessary to determine the most effective set or ‘package’ of energy improvements needed to provide the targeted ROI.

Certified home energy raters also understand ways to conserve water and how to access private financing for your improvement package, such as Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIMs). (Plus HUD’s 203k loans with energy component) However, what if you are also interested in incorporating green products and technologies or want to get your residence certified through a national green program, such as the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program or the NAHB National Green Building Standard? In this case you will want to locate a “Green Rater” or “Green Verifier” who is properly certified and able to help you with the additional decisions involved in related green aspects, such as:

  • Natural landscaping/Edible landscaping
  • Renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) electrical systems or solar thermal (hot water or air) systems
  • Rainwater catchment systems and/or cisterns
  • Hybrid heating/cooling systems
  • Advanced technologies, such as home automation, daylighting, hydroponics and the list can go on and on

Please don’t despair or be overwhelmed at this point because there is an answer to even the most comprehensive and complicated projects ever devised. If you want to have the most energy efficient dwelling possible with the latest, greatest green features built into it, then you will need to enlist your own ‘hand-picked’ team to help you design and build it.

In essence, by having other people focus on your project with you then you’ll obtain the collective benefit of your group’s experience and knowledge to incorporate into your project. Assembling your own group is known in architectural and engineering circles as building an “Integrated Design Team”. This universally recognized team approach to creating innovative, cutting-edge projects can reward you with the best results possible. But, how do you find, assemble and schedule meetings with the geographically diverse and specifically talented members of your team? The answer is to find someone who is versed in facilitating design charrettes, which basically are targeted meetings focused on your particular project or set of projects.

I hope that this article gave you some new insights into how you can help defend your self and your loved ones from escalating energy prices and water scarcity concerns. Obviously one article will not answer your questions that I know you have, such as:

  • How to obtain or grow organic healthy food
  • How to arrange financing for innovative homes in today’s market
  • How to charge your electric vehicle (EV) for free using solar power, etc.

That’s what future articles are for. Thank you for taking the time to read this and may you live a long, healthy and productive life.

*HERS – Home Energy Rating Systems (More information available about HERS at RESNET.us )

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Source by Ken Riead

Energy Efficient House Design Tips

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The year 2017, according to the Chinese Zodiac, is the year of the Fire Rooster. The Pantone color of the year is green. Despite green being the year’s color, do you know that there are other ways to atone your house to the idea of becoming green? One method is by making your house more energy-efficient. The rest of the article gives you some tips on how to align your house design towards energy efficiency.

  • Be wise with your choice – fans over lights!

Making your house cooler is a much more energy-efficient way than making it appear brighter. Achieve this by installing fans in each room rather than putting lights. During summer, you’ll see the great benefits.

  • Higher tag price isn’t always quality.

There are many fixtures you may want for your house. Browsing through the internet and looking at glossy home magazines will open your eyes to a lot of pricy and classy home fixtures. But do you know that quality does not mean expensive?

There are quality choices that will not burn you off much of your hard-earned money. For instance, cheaper bathroom and kitchen fixtures may have the same energy-efficient capacities than more expensive ones. The same principle applies to other household appliances.

  • Window coverings over more windows

Windows should be strategically placed in areas where the right amount of natural sunlight can enter. By this, you’re actually saving a lot of energy. You won’t be needing to turn of your fluorescents and lamps at an earlier time.

During the day, when you just want to have a darker setting, you just need the right curtains, drapes, or blinds to cover the window. This will also prove useful during winter months.

  • Install rugs and carpets.

The winter months can really give chilling effects to the skin. By these months, you’re on to wearing your thickest pieces of clothing. You’re also burning more woods in your fireplaces. But do you know that you can have a more efficient way of getting more heat inside your house? The secret lies with the proper choice of rugs and carpets on specific house parts. Aside from getting the house decorated, these home decor help trap warm air to give you a warmer feel.

  • Rethink of your ceiling – do you want it lower or higher?

Higher ceiling creates a more spacious look and feel. Lower ceiling gives you an easier way to heat or cool the house and cut your energy costs.

Are you seeking for an existing home which is energy-efficient? Don’t be afraid to contact your local real estate broker. Your choice might just be in his or her listings.

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Source by Desare A Kohn-Laski

Bright Ideas Energy Saving Light Bulbs

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As environmental damage is increasingly on the social and political agenda, BLT Direct says that making a difference can be as easy as switching from one light bulb to another. Energy efficient bulbs may not be a new innovation but it’s surprising how many households have yet to make the change. Using an energy efficient bulb in the place of a standard light bulb reduces CO2 emissions and saves energy. In fact, if every household in the country used just one energy efficient bulb, the energy saved would be enough to light up Briton’s streetlights for a whole year.

If you’re still not sure about energy saving bulbs and how they can help reduce your electricity bill and do your bit for the environment, read on…

Why are energy saving light bulbs better then normal bulbs?

Energy saving light bulbs work much more efficiently than standard bulbs. A traditional bulb wastes energy by producing heat as well as light. An energy saving bulb however works more like a fluorescent tube. The electric current passes through the gas in the tube, lighting it up without producing excess heat.

Do I need to replace like for like If I Switch To Energy Saving?

No. Because energy saving bulbs work more productively they use around a quarter of the electricity. This means you can replace a normal 60W bulb with a 13-18W energy saving recommended equivalent.

Will An Energy Saving Bulb Really Save Me Money?

Yes! The savings from an energy saving bulb are twofold. Firstly, because they waste less energy and use less electricity, the savings on your electricity bill are substantial. Energy saving light bulbs last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs and can save you £9 per year in electricity (and 38 kilograms of CO2 ) or £100 over the bulbs lifetime.

Secondly, as energy saving bulbs are built to last, you need to replace them less frequently, saving money on the cost of new bulbs.

But Don’t Energy Saving Bulbs Cost More?

Energy saving light bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs when initially purchased. However, in the long term the savings on the electricity bill and lower replacement costs make it a cheaper option.

Can I Use Energy Saving Bulbs With Existing Appliances?

Energy saving bulbs can be used with older appliances such as lamps. In addition, you can now also buy low energy light fittings which will only take low energy light bulbs. These use a ballast

or transformer fitted into the base of the light fitting. It controls the supply of electricity to the bulb, allowing for a small surge of power for a millisecond to light the bulb and then reducing the electricity flow to a very low level. Low energy fittings require a pin-based energy saving bulb. This is a different fitting to a conventional bulb but will ensure that the bulbs you buy in future will always save energy, money and the environment.

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Source by Steven Ellwood

How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

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Climate change is a hot topic and an ever-growing concern. Reducing emissions as well as our carbon footprint is something every Australian can do to help the environment, and preserve it for future generations. Having an energy efficient home is the best place to make a difference. Working towards becoming more eco-friendly at home has incredibly positive effects on our wallets too. Conserving energy and making your home more energy efficient will reduce your power bills and leave you with more money in your back pocket.

There are several ways to make your home more energy efficient, from smart technology to easy DIY options around the home.

Making your home energy efficient with technology:

While they can be expensive, solar panels are incredibly effective at reducing your power bill and are an eco-friendly source of power. The savings solar panels create far outweighs the cost of installation. Solar panels are a great renewable energy source, and do not produce any harmful emissions. Solar panels often generate more electricity than you will need to power your home, in fact, you can send the excess power back to the grid in return for credit – saving you even more money!

Buying energy efficient appliances is also a great way to make your home more energy efficient. Look for the Energy Star rating on appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and more. The Energy Star rating is easy to spot, make it simple to identify the right appliances for your energy-efficient home.

Simple tips to being more energy efficient at home:

These simple tips do not require large investment, but easy behavioral and lifestyle changes which will equate to a significant reduction in energy wastage and a much lower monthly power bill.

This includes composting food scraps which you can re-use in your garden as a nutrient-dense fertilizer. This in turn reduces the amount of waste that ends up at the tip. Being aware of your food wastage will also subsequently make you consider family eating and spending habits and becoming more resourceful to avoid food waste.

Another simple yet effective trick to reduce energy wastage is by simply turning off your appliances when they aren’t in use. Jugs, washing machines, phone chargers, toasters – the list goes on. In each room in your home, there are probably three items that could be unplugged. Consider the wastage across the whole household every day, and that results in a significant yearly wastage that could save you money if avoided.

You can also change some settings on your appliances, or the way you use them, to reduce energy wastage. This includes reducing the use of your dryer, using only the cold-wash settings on your washing machine, or reducing your thermostat by a couple of degrees.

You can create draught stoppers with old pillowcases to stop warm air being lost around your door framing, or cold air creeping in. While you’re at it, seal the cracks around your windows using a seal gun for an air tight home.

How else can you make your home energy efficient?

You should also consider insulating your home with underfloor and ceiling insulation. Another slightly more expensive solution, insulation not only adds essential warmth, but also additional value to your home. Be sure to get a professional to install the insulation for you to ensure all areas are covered and the installation is to a high standard.

Before you insulate, you’ll need to make sure your roof cavity is free of birds and pests that can end up causing costly damage to the insulation. To do this you’ll need to contact bird proofing specialists. They can ensure your roof will be free from pests, as well as keeping them out for good.

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Source by Brenden Wragg