Since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22nd. Earth Day is a reminder to all of us about how important it is to make lifestyle choices which minimize our impact on the environment. One of the best ways you can make your life more eco-friendly is by making your home as energy efficient as possible. There are many benefits to improving your home’s energy efficiency and helping the environment is just one of them. Don’t know where to begin making your home more energy efficient? Here are five great projects that can make a big difference.
Switch to CFL or LED Light Bulbs
Do you still have old incandescent light bulbs around your house? Now is a great time to make the switch to LED or CFL bulbs. Both types of bulbs are much more energy efficient than those older incandescent bulbs, allowing you to save money without having to limit your light usage. It’s a simple change which can make a big difference in your home’s electricity bills. According to Energy.gov, using energy efficient light bulbs in your home’s five most frequently used fixtures can help you save $75 each year.
Programmable Thermostats
If you’re looking to save energy in the home, one of the most common tips you’ll hear is to adjust your thermostat throughout the day. If nobody is at home during the day, you don’t need to keep your air conditioner or furnace running as high like you would if you were there. While this is a great idea in theory, it’s not always an easy habit to get into. Programmable thermostats are a great solution to this problem. And now that many programmable thermostats can be controlled with smartphones, it’s easier than ever before to keep your thermostat under control.
Look for Air Leaks
Air leaks are a very common reason why many homeowners have higher heating and cooling bills than they ought to. Doors and windows are two of the most common sources of drafts, but drafts can occur anyplace where an opening has been cut into a wall, such as around electrical outlets or where a cable enters the house. Check the caulking and weatherstripping around your doors and windows to make sure they haven’t gotten worn out. If you do see signs of wear, it’s very easy to replace them.
Replace Doors and Windows
When was the last time the windows and exterior doors in your home were replaced? Since doors and windows are exposed to the elements every day, it’s only natural that they will get worn out over time. But when doors and windows get worn out, they’re not able to protect your home as well as they should. There’s also the fact that the energy efficiency of doors and windows are constantly being improved. By replacing your old, worn-out windows with brand new vinyl replacement windows, you’d be getting windows that are significantly more energy efficient option that not only makes your home more comfortable, it will help you save money on your heating and cooling bills.
Eliminate Energy Vampires
Even if you think you’re being smart about your energy usage and power things down when you’re not using them, you might be surprised to learn that some of those things could still be using power. Learn about some of the most common types of energy vampires and how you can eliminate them from your home.
