And Make Your Home More Energy Efficient!
We live in a world full of technology and innovation. And yet, most of us have homes that aren’t energy efficient. Living in a more energy efficient home isn’t just better for the environment, it’s also great for the check book as it helps save you money in the long run.
Most people want to live more energy efficient lives, they just don’t know how. The great news is, as an energy efficiency company, Cobex has done all the research for you! Listed below are great and practical improvements anyone can make to their home to better improve energy usage. We’ve included a list of easy low-cost savings, along with a few energy efficient investments that won’t leave you disappointed.
Easy Low-Cost Savings
1. Don’t wash your clothes with hot water
The two biggest ways to reduce energy when doing laundry is by using less water and cooler temperatures.
When it comes to doing laundry, avoid running loads with hot water. Instead, wash your clothes with cold or warm water temperatures whenever possible. According to Energy.gov, switching your temperature settings from hot to warm can cut a load’s energy use by nearly half.
2. Keep all vents open while running the HVAC system
A common misconception most people have is closing half of the vents in the house while running their HVAC system. It is believed that this technique will save energy and reduce heating or cooling costs in the long run.
The truth is, closing vents in unused rooms only puts more pressure on the HVAC system. Regardless of how many vents you close, the heater or air conditioner produces the same amount of air. The added pressure of closed vents can cause air leaks in your system, causing long term energy waste and complicated HVAC problems in the future.
In order to be more energy efficient, keep all vents open in your house, regardless of how often you use the rooms. This will ensure the unit operates efficiently, and the system can save on energy use and repair costs in the long run.
3. Switch over to using fluorescent light bulbs
Another easy and practical way to save energy is to switch over from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent ones. Even though fluorescent light bulbs might cost a little more up front initially, they end up being more cost and energy efficient in the long run.
That’s because fluorescent light bulbs last 8-12 times longer and use 23-25% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Even mixing your lightbulbs and switching only half of them to fluorescent can help have an impact in overall energy usage.
4. Schedule a professional energy efficiency audit
If you’re ready to take your energy efficiency to the next level, consider having a professional come out and evaluate your home. A trained auditor will inspect the inside and outside of your home to identify savings opportunities and areas of improvement.
As an energy efficiency company, Cobex Construction Group offers free energy efficiency audits. Calls us today so one of our professionals can come out and give you a FREE audit. This will pinpoint parts of your home that need immediate attention in order to increase your overall energy efficiency.
Energy Efficient Investments
5. Improve the insulation in your home
The quality of the insulation in your home can greatly affect your home’s energy efficiency. Without the proper insulation, you could be letting out a lot of cold air during the hot summer months. This is a waste of energy as your HVAC system will continue to work hard to keep your home cool.
Insulating your home with the proper materials can help keep the hot air out and cool air in. If you’d like to take it one step further, look into getting your attic sealed. This extra investment will ensure your home is more energy efficient and will help you save money on your electricity bill.
6. Look for energy efficient appliances
Another great way to save more energy is by switching over to energy efficient appliances. Energy star appliances are more advanced and use less energy than traditional appliances. They may cost you a bit more in the beginning, however this is a great investment that will pay off in the future.
When shopping, look for models that are labeled as “Energy Star Certified”. These appliances will go a long way in saving you energy and lowering your electricity bills.
7. Replace your windows
Windows could be a major source of energy loss in your home. With older, single-paned and aluminum framed windows, you could be letting in unwanted heat into your home. Over the years, this could be detrimental to energy costs and energy efficiency.
By upgrading to new windows, you are investing into higher energy efficiency for your whole house. Vinyl frames, double- or triple-pane argon gas-filled windows will do a much better job at keeping unwanted air out of the house. This will result in less usage of your HVAC system, which means lower electricity bills and more energy efficiency. It’s a win-win!
8. Consider replacing your roof
Let’s talk about your roof. What most people don’t realize is that the roof is a foundational piece for energy efficiency. A new, good quality cool roof has three important roles. It should create a waterproof barrier, protect against nature’s elements, and bring a balanced ventilation in your attic. With these three things in place, a roof is better equipped to protect your home and help with energy efficiency.
9. Consider solar panel installations
The last thing you should consider adding to your home are solar panels. Before investing into solar energy, make sure you work on all other energy efficiency options first. You’d be surprised by how much energy you could save, you might not even need the solar panels after all.
However, if you still find yourself with a high electricity bill even after reducing, solar panels may be just the thing for you. Solar panels are a great investment because they help cut down on electricity costs and allow you to produce a little bit of your own energy.
