The world realizes the disastrous impact humans have had on the environment. A lot of it comes from how the masses consume energy. Since most electricity in the world is generated through the use of fossil fuels, its adverse effects have left the environment severely polluted. It is essential for all to make a change and consume energy efficiently.
Why is it important to be energy efficient?
As more and more people are trying to make their abode an energy efficient home, many wonder why it is essential to be energy efficient in the first place.
Here are some of the primary reasons why one must strive to build an energy efficient home.
- It helps in saving money by reducing utility bills.
- Sustainable consumption of energy will help the environment and in turn, ensure healthy living.
- An energy efficient home, accompanied by automatic lighting, double paned windows, and a programmable thermostat, is likely to be more comfortable than a usual one.
Tips for an energy efficient home
Here are some of the tips one should follow when trying to be energy efficient.
1. Learn to be patient
During the winters, it is easy to get impatient and set the thermostat at a very high temperature to warm the house fast. However, this causes more energy to be used. Instead, it is better to set the temperature at the value you want it to be on. It might take time for the temperature to be achieved. Despite the fact that the furnace would be operational for a longer time than before, energy will still be saved.
2. Alter the temperature as needed
Rather than having a standard temperature around the clock, keep fine-tuning the temperature based on your requirements. For instance, when in the house, set the temperature to around 21 C. However, when not home, it is better to reduce the temperature to 16 C and then using a programmable thermostat, restore to the desired temperature so you come home to a warm home. When sleeping, the ideal temperature can be 18 C, depending on the weather. Remember, the lower the temperature; the more energy is saved.
3. Use an energy efficient humidifier
There is more to making a house warm than using a thermostat. Instead, one must also ensure that the humidity levels in the home stay between 30 to 40 percent. Homes should use a humidifier to ensure there is the correct amount of humidity in the air. The humidity needs to be altered in relation to the outside temperature as well. Keeping your humidity too high in the home as it gets colder will lead to excess condensation and ice build-up on the windows as the warm, moist air comes into contact with cold window panes.
4. Bring back the ceiling fans
Slowly, ceiling fans have become outdated. If one wishes to reduce energy consumption, it is time to bring the fans back. Use them on low speed. This helps in circulating air throughout the room, therefore reducing the need for air conditioners or high-temperature thermostats. In winters, a clockwise low-speed setting can help in flowing warm air downwards. In summers, a counter-clockwise setting can be used to push the hot air upwards.
5. Dry clothes outside
Hanging wet clothes on clotheslines can be a great way to save energy. How? Well, generally, people use clothes dryers to get the job done. However, such tools consume a lot of power. Instead of relying on them, it is better to use the natural light to dry out laundry. Not only can the sunlight help in drying wet clothes, but the ultraviolet light can help in eliminating the presence of dust mites and bacteria on the clothes. Using this method can help reduce greenhouse gas production by three kilograms per standard laundry load.
6. Proper insulation is a must
The more warmth that seeps from the house, the more thermostats, air conditioners, and humidifiers will have to work. This is why it is essential to invest in adequately insulating the home. A house which is appropriately covered tends to be over 10 degrees warmer in winters and 7 degrees cooler in summers than a house which isn’t insulated. One might think that insulating a home can be costly. However, the reduced energy bills over the years will more than make up for the cost.
7. Don’t let the warm air escape from the windows
Even after insulating the house, energy loss can still occur if windows are left open. It is therefore essential to cover windows with insulating curtains and make sure that they close properly. Look beyond the frame and ensure that is actually closed. The warmer air that stays inside, the lesser the heating equipment of the house will have to work.
8. Befriend natural light
If one utilizes the natural light bestowed on Earth properly, the need for artificial lights will be drastically reduced. Make use of natural light as much as possible. One can do so by installing large windows on the northern side of the house. Moreover, blinds and awnings should also be installed for the summer days. These items will help in keeping the indoor cool regardless of huge windows.
9. Use the power bar
A lot of people don’t know this, but most home appliances consume power even when they are turned off. Ten percent of energy bills are accounted by the power consumed during standby mode! To prevent this consumption, plug appliances to a power bar. This will help in indeed shutting them off when not in use.
10. Replace conventional lights with LED’s
LED light bulbs are an electric light for use in light fixtures that produces light using light-emitting diode (LED). LED lamps have a lifespan many times longer than equivalent incandescent lamps, and are significantly more efficient than most fluorescent lamps. Please refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_lamp for more detailed information .
It is time to be more responsible about how we consume energy. Take a step towards living in a sustainable manner. Live in an energy efficient house and play a part in saving Earth and saving money in your pocket book.
