While everyone is going green in their daily life – by shopping for local produce, using reusable shopping bags and water bottles, and using sustainable products – there are also new ways to go green within the home that will provide for a more environmentally conscious future and savings on energy bills. Here are five energy-saving tips for your home that are simple to implement and thrive from.
- Solar Energy – The easiest way to harvest solar energy is through solar panels. Once solar panels are purchased, they can be used to heat water for the whole home to use, as well as provide for solar heating and cooling and generate electricity.
- Energy efficient lights – Energy efficient lighting is probably one of the easiest ways to make a home more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Traditional light bulbs provide sufficient light but require much energy to light up an area. Energy efficient light bulbs provide ample light as well, however the energy input needed to operate is much less.
- Energy efficient windows – Energy bills are the most expensive each year during harsh weather months. Many homeowners will blast their air conditioning systems during the hot summer months and will turn up their heaters when winter months approach. However, the implementation of energy efficient windows allows for cold air during the summer and warm heat during the winter to stay within the house and not seep through the window panes. The seals are tighter on energy efficient windows, making for a reduction in energy costs throughout the year.
- Reduction on the thermostat – Many homeowners will leave their thermostats on high or low all day long, according to the weather outside. This results in a skyrocket on the energy bills, so instead, keep the temperature in the home at a temperate degree without going overboard on thermostat. An ideal temperature is 76 degrees.
- Check out the water heater – Make sure the water heater is set to 120 degrees. Some thermostats are preset to 140 degrees and require more energy and can add extra dollars to the monthly energy bill.