There are many improvements that you can make to transform your home into a better place to live in. For example, you can invest in A1 Garage door repairs in Michigan, or a total home makeover in California, or anywhere else. But how about making your home more sustainable?
By applying some eco-friendly changes, you can not only help our planet in an environmental crisis but also make some savings. There are many ways to use less energy, reduce landfill waste, and protect the natural landscape.
Some of the modifications may demand quite a lot of money and time to apply, but there are also simple ways to make your home less harmful to our planet.
Below you will find some of the changes you can apply to make your place more environmentally-friendly. Let’s explore them now!
Get a Smart Meter
One of the most common ways to waste too much energy is the lack of optimization in the heating system use. It often happens that during winter, we leave our heating on for longer than necessary, and it results in both wasted energy and higher bills to pay.
However, there is a simple way to fight this problem – you can install a smart meter. They are electronic devices that you can program to turn on your heating system just at particular times of the day.
For instance, it can start to heat your home up just before you get back from work and shut the system off shortly before you leave in the morning.
A smart meter is definitely recommended for anyone who wants to reduce their energy costs and minimize their carbon footprint.
Use Energy-Efficient Bulbs
If you start using bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you can reduce the electricity use to a large extent.
When you compare the traditional incandescents with more modern compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), halogen incandescents, or light-emitting diodes, there are the following benefits:
- The modern bulbs can last 3-25 times longer than the old ones
- They usually use around 25-80% less energy, lowering your electricity bills
You can find the new energy-efficient bulbs in numerous colors and light levels, so there certainly will be something that meets all your needs and personal preferences.
Even though the initial cost of such modern bulbs may be higher than of the traditional incandescents, they will be less expensive to operate, and they will help you to take care of the environment.
Improve the Insulation
It is worth knowing that your home’s eco-friendliness is also highly dependent on insulation efficiency. Namely, if your interior is able to hold in the heat, there will be no need to reheat it all the time.
There are many places where insulation is crucial, such as the roof or the space between the walls.
What is more, it is recommended to double-glaze any windows that still lack such an enhancement. Another way to improve your house’s insulation is to cover any exposed hardwood floors with area rugs.
They will not only prevent air from slipping out through the cracks in the wood but also they will make your interiors more elegant.
Get Power Strips
Power strips are beneficial in reducing electricity use. With such a simple enhancement, it will be easier to remember and more convenient to turn off all the appliances when you do not need them (for example, when you go to sleep or go out).
You should know that some electronic devices like phone or laptop charges, video game consoles, or TVs can act as “vampire appliances” and leech energy even when they are not turned on, harming both our planet and your wallet.
Invest in Solar Panels
If you are very determined to make your home more eco-friendly and ready for some more serious expenses, you can also consider installing solar panels.
Such an improvement will provide you with completely clean energy that can not only be used to power everything in your house – in many cases, you can also sell some of it back to the grid.
However, this investment is considered to be a long-term one, and it may take as long as 20 years for you to break even (the area where you live may be crucial here).
Nevertheless, bear in mind that it is recommended not only for financial reasons but also, more importantly, because of environmental issues.
Take Care of Your Boiler
You should be aware of the fact that the most modern boilers available on the market are much more heat- and energy-efficient than the older models.
If you prefer to hold onto your old boiler a while longer, you should at least have it serviced regularly and used wisely. Nonetheless, it is advised to renew this device every ten years or so.
You can potentially get support towards a new boiler too, but you have to meet certain requirements, check those instantly by applying for the boiler grant scheme
If you prefer to hold onto your old boiler a while longer, you should at least have it serviced regularly and used wisely. Nonetheless, it is advised to renew this device every ten years or so.
Moreover, consider the temperature your thermostat is kept at – to use less energy, turn it down by a few degrees and check if it is all right for you.
Even if you reduce it just by one degree, you can notice that your energy use will be lower (and less expensive).
The Bottom Line
All in all, there are many ways to make your home more energy-efficient and less harmful to the environment, with the ones mentioned above being just a few chosen examples.
You can apply some small adjustments and, for instance, use power strips, eco-friendly bulbs, or a smart meter.
If more significant expenses are not an issue for you in this matter, you can also go as far as to replace your boiler with a more modern and effective one or install solar panels on your roof.
Taking care of our planet is an effort definitely worth taking, as it is the home for all of us.
Bear in mind that even if it demands certain financial investments and takes some effort, making eco-friendly changes in the place you live in will eventually contribute to both helping the environment and increasing your savings.