More than ever, people are concerned with protecting our environment. Over three quarters of Americans want to find ways to live more sustainably. While there are several different things you can do, one of the best is to save energy at home. Using a lot of energy and/or electricity can hurt the environment and the natural resources of the planet. As a result, you should look to reduce your usage wherever you can.
In addition to saving energy helping to assist the environment, saving energy can also reduce the amount you will pay in utility bills every month. While the savings aren’t huge every month, they will eventually add up. But what are some things you can do to save energy throughout your home? Read on to learn about some DIY energy-saving projects to think about utilizing in your home.
Install More Efficient Appliances
If you want to save energy, replacing your old traditional appliances with newer and more efficient models is often a good idea. You can get efficient dishwashers, dryers, washing machines, fridges, ovens and many others. They will use much less energy or water, without any negative drawbacks or changes in how they are used. These appliances will work just as well, if not better, than your old traditional models.
Sure, they might cost a little more upfront, but they will pay for themselves with how much you will save on bills. Another way to potentially reduce your energy bills is to visit EnergyBot to compare the rates from various providers. Different providers may have different rates, and switching could save you a fortune in some cases.
Fix and Patch Up Any Leaks or Cracks
If reducing your energy usage is a big concern for you, be sure to inspect your windows, doors and walls. You should be looking for any small cracks or drafts, and seal them up as soon as possible. These leaks and drafts can often lead to you spending far more on your energy, without even knowing it.
This is because they let air in and out of your home. Let’s say you are trying to heat your home in the winter. If there is a crack on your window frame that is letting in some cold air, you will have to run the heat much longer to get the house to an appropriate temperature. With no leak, your home will warm up much quicker and require much less energy to do so.
These can occur on any exterior wall, but are more common around doors and windows. So be sure to go through your whole home and patch up any leaks that you might discover during this search.
Add a Smart Thermostat
Another great option is to add a smart thermostat to your home. These thermostats allow you to set a schedule in advance, to make sure your home is always the right temperature. Instead of having to cool your home all morning so it is cool when you get off of work, you can now program the air to come on half an hour before you get home. As you could imagine, this has the potential to save a ton of energy.
Some of these thermostats can even learn your patterns and preferences, to ensure the home is kept just how you like it. There are a few that will also analyze how you consume energy and give you tips to reduce. Best of all, many of these can be controlled from your phone, so you don’t even need to get up to change the temperature in your home.
Saving energy at home can be simple with the aforementioned DIY projects. Whether you decide to install efficient appliances, fix leaks and cracks, or add a smart thermostat, you are sure to be able to save some energy.
