Five Ways To Make Your Home Energy-Efficient

Energy comes into your home in the form of electricity and gas. These products are used to light and heat your home. In the process, the heat they create leaves your home through poor insulation and other factors.

The result is you stay warm and capable of undertaking daily tasks but at a cost. The more energy you use to maintain the internal environment the more costly it is for you. That’s why energy-efficiency is so important, the more efficient your home the lower the cost and that’s beneficial for your wallet.

Here are 5 ways to make your home more energy-efficient.

1. Insulation

Your roof lining should be full of insulation, as should your external walls and, in some cases, your internal walls. The thicker the insulation the better it will be at keeping your heat in which reduces the need for energy in your home.

It’s an old concept but one that holds true today. Invest in insulation to reduce your annual energy bills.

2. Heating/Cooling System

The next step is to look at your heating and cooling system. In most cases, it’s cheaper to leave the system running than it is to turn it on and off all the time.

However, there’s a big difference in heating your home via an oil furnace and using a geopump. You need to evaluate your existing system and balance the cost of replacement against the energy savings, you may be surprised by the results.

It’s worth looking at variable refrigerant flow systems which can be used to heat or cool your home while removing moisture at the same time. This reduces the likelihood of mold growth, pests, and even structural damage.

That makes it an extremely beneficial investment.

3. Review Energy Usage

You should also take the time to review your energy usage. A smart meter will tell you when you’re using the most electricity and which appliances are taking it all.

This can help you to re-plan usage and adapt your washing, heating, or even cooking strategies to maximize the cheap rate and minimize usage in peak times.

4. Upgrade Appliances

Modern appliances are generally A or A+ rated. This means they are energy efficient, using as little energy as possible to complete their function.

In contrast, older appliances are often C or lower. While the difference in single usage may not be significant, the difference over a period of time with multiple appliances can be impressive.

It’s worth upgrading your appliances today.

5. Change Habits

Finally, you need to consider your own habits. Are you someone that feels the need to turn on the light when you walk into a room, even if it’s not really needed?

Equally, you may do lots of small loads of washing or use the machine at peak hours. By simply reviewing your habits and changing them you can dramatically reduce your energy usage.

That’s going to make a significant difference to your wallet.

There are other ways in which you can save energy at home, the key is to be vigilant and consider if you really need to be doing what you’re doing!