When it comes to home improvement, it’s not always about appearance and functionality. If you’re planning to do some upgrades in your home, you must consider sustainability. One of the best ways to live sustainably is making your home energy-efficient.
An energy-efficient home is an eco-friendly home. Aside from conserving the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it can also help you save on costs. However, it doesn’t mean that your comfort and quality of life will have to be sacrificed.
That said, here are five simple upgrades you can make for a more energy-efficient home.
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Ensure Proper Insulation
Installing proper insulation for your home is one great way to keep you and your family comfortable and safe despite the changing weather conditions.
Proper insulation also helps your HVAC system run more efficiently. If ceilings and walls are well-insulated, keeping the space at the right temperature will require less energy. Thus, help you save on electricity bills.
If you’re having problems keeping your home at the right temperature especially during the winter and summer seasons, DIY solutions may not be ideal for the long term. It’s best to get your insulation fixed by a professional. If you’re residing in New Zealand, you may check out different insulation service providers like Knauf Insulation, they can help you find high-performing, reliable, and sustainable insulation solutions for your home.
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Get Your HVAC Cleaned And Checked Regularly
In addition to proper insulation, one more way to avoid wasting energy is having your HVAC cleaned and checked regularly. The monthly or quarterly inspection makes sure that there are no clogs, parts are working properly, and is not overheating. Similar to your other home appliances, cleaning and repairs are necessary to ensure that they function at their best for longer periods.
A well-maintained HVAC is more energy-efficient than those that aren’t taken care of properly. If you’re already having problems with heating or cooling, (e.g., the air feels more humid than usual), it’s best to get your system checked by professionals immediately. If your budget would permit, you may also consider replacing your existing cooling system with an energy-saving air-conditioner to reduce the consumption of electricity and keep you within your monthly electricity budget.
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Invest in Energy-Saving Appliances
Another intelligent step towards energy efficiency is switching to energy-saving appliances. The variety of options for energy-saving appliances increases with the advancement of technology. Nowadays, it’s easier to find the devices that suit your daily needs, help you save electricity, and maintain the aesthetics of your home.
Inverter technology is one of the latest upgrades of home appliance manufacturers to lessen energy consumption. Appliances with inverters change the electric current frequency that flows to its motor according to its needs to save energy.
Switching to appliances with an inverter can help save a significant percentage of your energy usage compared to non-inverter ones. This change also helps lessen greenhouse gas emissions, positively impacting the planet’s ozone layer.
Whether your main goal is to lessen your electric bill or help save the environment, this switch is highly beneficial. It’s both sustainable and economical.
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Consider a Home Solar Power System
Although installing a solar power system in your home can be a bit expensive at first, its benefits far outweigh the cost. A home solar power system is a sustainable energy source you’ll need for a better upgrade.
Depending on your location, you may use the solar system as a backup or as your primary energy source. If you’re getting five to six hours of sunlight, especially during summer, it’s best to take advantage of that natural resource. You can use it for your home lighting needs, as well as run some low-powered appliances.
If you’re not usually getting enough sunlight from your location, having a solar power system can still be an option. The energy stored in the batteries can serve as your alternative source of electricity during a power outage and other emergencies.
All in all, installing a solar power system is one of the best ways to make your home more energy-efficient and sustainable. Plus, it helps reduce carbon footprint.
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Replace Traditional Bulbs with LED Lights
LED is an energy-efficient lighting option. It consumes the least energy compared to other lighting options while producing the same amount of light when you need it.
There’s a wide variety of LED lights that will suit your needs. Some of them are even high-tech, too. For example, there are bulbs and strip lights that change colors and can be controlled using a mobile application. Not only does it keep your home well lit, but it also gives you more control over the brightness and time of usage to keep the energy consumption at a minimum.
Moreover, you can also find solar-powered outdoor LED lights. This type of outdoor lighting has its mini solar panel and battery, which collects its energy during the daytime, and uses it during nighttime. It’s an easy option because there’s no need to connect them to your main power source. It also turns on and off on its own through its light sensor, making it more convenient and effortless to use and maintain.
Conclusion
Upgrading your home to be more energy-efficient is a massive leap towards sustainability. And with the list above, you can see that it’s not as difficult as it may seem to be. You can start with smaller areas in your home, then move to bigger tasks once you are more confident and your budget would permit.
This type of home improvement project will not only benefit you and your family but the planet, too.
