We’re all about how small changes can make a real difference to the environment. It’s true that every contribution helps reduce waste and potentially reduce the effects of climate change.
However, you can do more than use recyclable teabags. It’s possible to save yourself money and help save the planet and it starts at home. Improving the energy efficiency of your home reduces the amount of energy you use. That means less energy needs to be produced, reducing the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. The fact it will save you money and help give you a comfortable lifestyle is a bonus.
There are several things you can do, small and large, depending on the budget you have available.
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Add Insulation
This is a great way to keep the heat inside your home. It’s important to understand that insulation slows the transfer of warm air, effectively keeping it in your home for longer. However, it doesn’t stop drafts, you need to seal these up before insulation is added.
There are many different types of insulation. The best option for your property will depend on many variables, such as where you live and the type of property.
The good news is that you don’t need to do this alone. It can get expensive but the government offers a selection of grants. In some cases, this will reduce the cost to zero.
Upgrading Doors & Windows
Replacing your doors and windows is an excellent way to improve the look, and the value, of your property. You probably already have double-glazed units. If not, you should have.
It’s now possible to fit triple-glazed units. These are more expensive, but they will help retain heat in your home, reducing your energy usage. It’s best to select ones with low-E coatings and argon gas filling.
If your budget won’t stretch to replacing the windows it’s possible to add an extra pane of glass on the inside of your windows. This effectively creates triple-glazing, although not as effective as argon-filled units.
It’s also important to replace all the sealant around the doors and windows, helping to eliminate drafts.
Add a Porch
This is a larger-scale project but can offer a real benefit. Naturally, you’ll want to use environmentally friendly materials. Recycled or sustainably produced wood is a good option. The best approach is to use an expert screened-in porch builder. They can create an enclosure on the back of your home, offering you multiple benefits.
Firstly, you’ll have a spot which collects the sun, even on cooler days. It will give you somewhere warm to sit and feel at one with nature. Secondly, the additional build on your home will decrease the amount of air transference between your home and the outside world, helping you to maintain the right temperature.
As a bonus, it will give you a nice spot to enjoy the outdoors without risking sunburn or being attacked by bugs.
Fit a Composting Toilet
A composting toilet doesn’t use any water, reducing your reliance on water and lowering the amount of human waste going into water treatment works. Both actions save energy. They’ll also save you money.
They are easy to install in your home, leaving you to decide what to do with your biodegradable toilet paper.
Energy Efficiency Light Bulbs
These are simple to replace and can save you a surprising amount of money in reduced energy usage. You’ll need to replace all your traditional bulbs with LED or CFL (Compact Fluorescent) bulbs.
You can take this a step further by adding a smart lighting system. This will automatically turn lights off in unoccupied rooms.
Create Your Own Energy
This doesn’t reduce the amount of energy you use, but it does ensure that you’re using clean energy. Installing solar panels on the roof has become a popular option. There are government grants that can help with the cost of this.
With a little planning, the solar panels can allow you to run your home off-grid.
An alternative, for those in less sunny climates, is a wind generator. These small turbines can generate a surprising amount of clean energy. Again, it will save you money and you’ll be using clean energy.
Update Appliances
Updating your appliances with the latest dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, etc. will help you reduce energy usage. However, new appliances can be costly. You’ll want to balance this against what happens to your old appliance and the energy you’ll be saving.
Do Your Maintenance
We’ve all been there, life is busy, and specific tasks can push your current skillset, so you end up leaving them. The problem is, many of these tasks will cost your home energy and you money.
For example, a dripping faucet may seem like a minor issue, provided you can’t hear it when you sleep. The problem is that even a slow-dripping faucet can use several gallons of water a day! That’s water you’re paying for and not using and water being removed from the natural cycle for no reason.
The good news is that repairing a faucet and undertaking maintenance tasks is generally much easier than you think.
Rearrange Your Rooms
You may not have thought of this, but where your furniture sits makes a difference to your energy usage and bill. For example, a refrigerator sitting in the sunshine will need to use more energy to keep its contents at the right temperature. Move it to a shady spot in your kitchen.
Equally, a couch in front of a radiator will absorb most of the heat. To get the room to the right temperature you’ll need to turn up the heat and use more energy. It’s easier to move the couch, allowing the heat into the room.
Take a little time to look at each room and optimize the layout. It can make a substantial difference to your energy usage.
Summing Up
If you’re not sure how to get started, or where to spend your limited budget, then have an energy audit done. A professional will locate the areas in your home that lose the most energy. They will even recommend what improvements to make first.
Changing the world means thinking big and small. That’s recycling tea bags and diapers, as well as adding porches and solar panels.