It’s no secret that going green is the way to go regarding the state of our planet. Luckily, there are a plethora of alternatives for the technology that we use. This can indeed help make that transition easier. And in order to build big and truly go green, we must think small first. This is why making small, affordable changes in our routines means so much. And, what better place to start from than your own home?

Here, we are going to be talking about how you can make the changes that we talked about. They are not only affordable – a lot of them will end up helping you save money. Having all of this in mind, let’s jump right to the ways in which you can increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Think about sealing or replacing your windows

You may not be aware of this, but our windows play a huge role in the overall energy efficiency of our homes. Are your windows drafty, ill-fitted, or low quality? If so, the probability is high that they aren’t going to protect you from the weather outside. 

On the other hand, a good window is going to insulate your home more than you expect. Josh Smit from https://clearmaxwindows.com/ explains that a low emissivity, triple-paned window is the way to go. Having such windows ensures that your comfort level will rise and your monthly energy bill will fall. 

Another thing to look for in energy-efficient windows is whether they have argon between the panes. This gas is quite dense, which means that it acts as an efficient natural insulator. It’s non-toxic and can be found in our atmosphere, so you don’t have to worry about that. Having such an additional insulator will serve you well during the summer and winter as well. 

Lower the thermostat whenever you can

Having a thermostat is a great way to ensure that you’re always enjoying the optimal temperature. Now, that is an important factor for while you’re at home. When you’re not at home, you are wasting energy if you keep the same settings. Not only that, but you’re losing money as well! The easiest way to tackle this issue is to just lower the temperature before you head out. You should also take the time while you’re asleep into account.

You don’t have to turn it off entirely. Just lowering the temperature down by five degrees makes a big impact. If you’re still not convinced, you should know that doing so can save you 10% of your bills regarding energy.

Say goodbye to incandescent light bulbs

The light bulbs that you use play a large role in the energy efficiency of your home. This is easily understood if we consider that an average home is equipped with around 40 light bulbs. In today’s market,  you can find a large number of light bulbs, but what is the best option?

Well, as the subtitle suggests, the incandescent light bulbs are not the right answer here. Way better alternatives are compact fluorescent lamps, halogen bulbs, as well as light-emitting diodes (LED). Not only are they more energy-efficient, but they last longer as well. If used for around 3 hours, one can expect a LED light source to last for an impressive 22 years.

Not charging your phone? Unplug the charger!

Have you ever charged your phone, and left the charger plugged in even after you’ve finished? The probability is high that you have, as this is something that happens to all of us from time to time. You might think that this is not such a big deal, but it is. This is the exact reason why experts on energy efficiency refer to chargers as energy vampires.

More precisely, an average charger uses 0.26 watts of energy when it’s plugged in but not in use. When it’s being used to charge, it uses around 2.24 watts. This, even if it doesn’t seem like much at first glance, really adds up. So, instead of wasting your money and energy on literally nothing – unplug your charger!

Don’t overlook HVAC maintenance

Many people rely on their HVAC systems to keep them comfortable during both summers and winters. They are a hefty system to have, but you must maintain them properly if you want to reap all the benefits. Regular HVAC maintenance is going to ensure that your system is in top form. This way, you are making sure that the system isn’t draining more energy to compensate for its low performance. 

It’s really easy to forget that your HVAC needs some TLC here and there, but try and do it regularly. More precisely, experts suggest that you have your HVAC inspected two times every year. The best periods to do this are before summer, and before the winter as your HVAC is used the most in these periods.

Avoid using hot water as much as you can

This is probably one of the easiest ways for you to lower your carbon footprint. Many of us have a habit of using hot water, even when we don’t need it. Ensuring that you use hot water only when you need to will make a huge impact on your energy efficiency. 

The easiest way to take action on this topic is to set your washer to cold washing. Opting for hot washes drain more energy than you’re probably aware of. In fact, almost 90% of the total energy used by your washer is used only to heat the water. That means that only 10% is used to power the machine in the first place. Opt for cold washes instead!

In the end, it all boils down to being vigilant about the small things first. By incorporating some alternative energy-efficient habits into your daily life, you are investing in the future. And a much better future as well! Not everyone can shift their life entirely. But small changes accumulate and make a huge difference.

Making changes is never an easy task. But, it has never been more important for us to try and make this world a more energy-efficient one. By reading this article, you have learned about some easy ways to help. Make sure that you try them out!