5 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Performing environmentally-friendly renovations to your home offers a number of benefits, including reduced energy usage. It's not uncommon for homeowners to slash their monthly electric bill by 40-60% just through energy-efficiency renovations. Of course, these renovations will also play a key role in your home's decor -- helping to bring everything together. Below are five ways you can make your home more eco-friendly. #1 – Energy-Efficient Curtains You might be surprised to learn just how much of an effect the right curtains will have on your home's energy usage. If you're still using low-quality curtains, perhaps you should upgrade to energy-efficient curtains. These curtains are designed with a thick UV-protected material that blocks out sunlight. According to the manufacturer's specifications, you can save up to 10% on your power bill by using energy-efficient curtains in your home. #2 – Install New Water Heater Installing a new water heater in your home can also play a key role in lowering your overall energy usage. Each time you or someone in your family uses hot water, the water heater is responsible for warming it up – which requires energy. The truth is that most homeowners and their families allow their water heater to go unchanged for 5 or 10 years... or longer! A better solution is to replace it with an energy-efficient model. #3 – New HVAC System The single biggest source of energy usage in modern day homes is the heating and cooling system (HVAC). If you notice a spike in your power bill during the early summer months, chances are it's from an inefficient HVAC system. Even if your air conditioner cools the home just fine, it could be sapping an unnecessary amount of energy from the power grid, forcing you to pay a premium cost. Schedule a professional HVAC technician to come out and inspect your system for technical problems. #4 – Bulbs Are you still using traditional incandescent light bulbs in all of your sockets? While these bulbs are typically the cheapest to buy, they also drain the most energy. A smarter choice is to replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) or light-emitting diode bulbs (LED). You'll have to pay a bit more initially for these energy-efficient bulbs, but they last longer and use far less energy. #5 – Paint Yep, painting is also considered a green home renovation. There are certain paints which naturally improve the energy efficiency of your home. Typically, these paint varieties possess a high sheen to help reflect and bounce light around through the room. If you're looking to redecorate or renovate a room inside your home, consider using this type of paint. You can find it for sale at most home improvement stores, and it's usually sold for the same amount of as traditional paint. Just remember to apply a coat of primer to the walls first, as this will make the painting process easier. About the Author: These are Ashley's (an avid writer on all things green living) best tips.
