Many homeowners are looking for opportunities to promote eco-friendliness in their homes, whether it be to save the environment, or just to save money on their monthly energy expenses. Renovating a home to be more environmentally friendly can be an enormous asset in promoting overall health and frugality, but many individuals don’t know where to start.
Going green can seem like an expensive and time-consuming task, but the truth is, there are a number of incredibly easy and affordable opportunities that can help boost the health of both the planet and your wallet. Let’s talk about a few easy “;green” opportunities any homeowner can incorporate in their day-to-day life.
Replace Light Bulbs
Replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs can have a number of benefits within the home. Energy.gov concluded that halogen incandescent bulbs, or other energy-saving bulbs, can save anywhere between 25%-80% more energy than a traditional light bulb. Utilizing energy-efficient light bulbs can have enormous positive effects on the environment and your energy bills. Plus, they come in a variety of colors, which can be used to create some interesting interior design aesthetics.
Monitor Thermostat Use
As the winter rolls around, it is important to keep an eye on how your home’s thermostat is being used. Many homeowners waste large amounts of energy by running the thermostat all day long, even when they are away from home. Turning the thermostat off when you’re away, or using an automatic thermostat scheduler – like a Nest – can greatly reduce energy costs and promote eco-friendliness within the home.
Maintain HVAC System
Similar to monitoring the thermostat, maintaining the overall HVAC system can serve major positive impacts on both eco-friendliness and the cost of energy within the home. There is quite a bit involved in HVAC maintenance, but simply being aware on when to clean out the air ducts can help conserve energy and lower electricity bills all year round.
Cut Back on Using Hot Water
Of course, everyone loves taking warm showers, but a large majority of a home’s energy use comes from heating water for tasks that can be completed with cold water. Washing clothes in cold water and using a microwave to heat up water – rather than a stove – can reduce energy use drastically throughout the home. So, you don’t have to give up on warm showers, but spending less time in the shower can help.
What else can you do to make your home eco-friendly? Let’s visit our energy savings module for complete summary of eco-friendly ideas and products. But first, please give this article a quick comment/share so others can value these concepts.
Unplug Unused Appliances
Think of all of the electrical appliances in your home. How many of these are plugged in right now? Chances are the answer to this question is, “all of them”. Unplugging electrical appliances, such as the TV or the microwave, between uses can significantly cut back on a home’s energy consumption. It may be worthwhile to pick up a power trip that can serve as an outlet for many appliances and be turned on and off at the push of a button; make this “green” change even easier for the household.
Overall, there are a seemingly endless array of opportunities for a household to hop aboard the “green” movement, and many of them free (or very close to it). Think of the energy use in your household, what can you do to cut it back?
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