How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Energy expenses can seem like a fixed cost that cannot be reduced. But if you make smart energy efficient purchases, you can lower your electricity costs drastically.
Whether it’s installing a new light fixture or purchasing an energy-efficient washing machine, small changes can add up to big savings. You may want to consider the Eco Grants Scotland for help with decreasing your energy usage.
Insulation
Insulation keeps hot air in during winter and out during summer, helping to lower your energy bills. It also prolongs the life of your heating and cooling equipment and improves your home’s air quality.
A well-insulated attic is one of the most important things you can do to make your home more energy efficient. If you don’t have enough insulation, you can lose more than half of the heat that comes into your home during the winter, and most of the cool air during the summer.
Thermostat
One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is by installing a programmable thermostat. These devices allow you to save money by automatically lowering the heat when nobody’s home and at night.
You can save even more money by choosing a programmable thermostat that supports clean energy sources. This means you can avoid the emissions associated with conventional power generation.
However, it is understandable that not everyone can afford to make all of these changes, which is why the Eco4 grant is there to help.
It’s also important to remember that lowering energy usage isn’t just about the upgrades you make to your house. You can save energy by adjusting your habits too, such as taking shorter showers, using less hot water and air-drying your clothes.
Turn Off Electronics
Aside from saving money on electricity bills, energy efficient appliances help reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, affecting all living things including human beings.
If you’re in the market for a new washer, dryer, dishwasher or refrigerator, consider choosing ones that are labelled with the blue ENERGY STAR logo. On average, these appliances use 20 percent less energy than standard models.
If you can’t afford to purchase ENERGY STAR appliances at the moment, try making your current ones more energy-efficient by unplugging them when they aren’t in use. This simple act can cut your home’s electricity usage by ten to fifty percent.
Don’t Peek Your Oven
There’s a reason manufacturers put windows in oven doors—each time you open the door to peek at your meal, hot air is let out and drops your oven’s temperature by around 25 degrees. This makes your oven work harder to raise the temperature back up, which uses more energy.
Try to only preheat your oven for the recommended amount of time. Also, try to use ceramic or glass cookware that holds heat better than metal. This way, your meals will cook more evenly without using as much energy.