HOW TO CONSERVE MORE ENERGY AT HOME

HOW TO CONSERVE MORE ENERGY AT HOME

Greetings. In light of the recent weather events that are affecting so many of us these days, I thought I’d take today to address this topic, while giving you some advise on how to conserve more energy at home. Here in Lake Arrowhead, California we have experienced one of the most severe winters in decades. While I know climate change is a controversial topic, I’m seeing it first hand in my own front yard. I truly can’t remember when we had this much snow!

And, as we have seen in the news in recent weeks, dramatic, record breaking cold is causing much havoc in Texas and across the south east. Because of this there is now an increasing focus on the environmental impact that people are having on the world around them. With that said, I think as individuals we can make a positive impact on reducing climate change. And that change can start with our actions right in our own homes by finding ways to conserve our consumption of energy. Not only does conserving more energy help the planet as a whole, but it also helps to save you money, which is a benefit that nobody can be unhappy about!

So, here are a few top tips on how to conserve more energy at home.

WEATHERIZE YOUR HOME

I’m currently renovating a home from the studs in. We replaced a lot of drywall, and in doing so also replaced the old, dirty and less efficient insulation. This has improved the home’s energy efficiency and will help my clients keep down their energy bill.  

Proper insulation plays a significant role in lowering utility bills. To save further we even replaced the insulation under the home, keeping the cold from entering from below. If you’re doing your own home renovation, or just want to replace old insulation in say, an attic space, I recommend you check out Orange County insulation removal. 

Another way I look to save on my energy bills and those of my clients is to seal off air leaks wherever they occur around the home. Problem areas include windows, doors and around vents and even electrical outlets. Apply caulking or purchase adhesive foam insulation strips that are very effective in stopping drafts.

 

CHANGE YOUR DAILY BEHAVIOR PATTERNS

Sometimes, it is not just about the big changes that you make around the home that can make a difference. Often it’s the small daily alterations that can also make a significant difference. Simply turning off your appliances and lights when they are not in use may feel like a small step, but it can actually add up to big savings. Hang-drying your clothes instead of putting them in the dryer, and washing your dishes by hand instead of putting them in the dishwasher are a couple of other useful habits to add to the list. You can also change the way you use your heating and air conditioning unit by installing a smart thermostat. Heating and cooling your home can add up to as much as half of your overall energy costs. Instead, make the most of cheap or even free methods at your disposal such as using your window treatments as insulation against summer heat and winter cold. Or by simply opening up your windows to bring in fresh air instead of using your air conditioner. 

Photo by Alessio Cesario from Pexels

REPLACE YOUR LIGHT BULBS

If you are still using the old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs, now is the time to make the switch to their energy-efficient counterparts. CFLs and LEDs are the modern versions of the old incandescent bulbs. They use as much as 80 percent less energy, which is certainly a significant figure! While they have a higher initial cost, they last much longer (like decades) and use far less energy, which will end up saving you lots of money in the long run. I have started to use only LED lights in all my home renovation projects, replacing old can lights with modern looking and energy efficient LED’s. I also love that these fixtures allow you to adjust the light from cold to warm light. My preference is for warm lighting.

Here we are adding new LED fixtures in a bedroom renovation

CHOOSE ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES

As you might not expect, a lot of the money you spend on energy is as a result of  inefficient appliances. Old appliances are HUGE energy suckers. I recently replaced an older refrigerator we kept as backup in our garage. In doing so my energy bill went down a whopping $100 a month. I had no idea it was such an energy guzzler. So, when it comes to buying new appliances, one of your first points of consideration should be to look at the energy efficiency rating. This way you can insure that you are getting a product that is kind to the environment and kind to your budget!

Conserving more energy at home is certainly worthwhile, and will benefit you and the world around you.

So there you have it: HOW TO CONSERVE MORE ENERGY AT HOME

Thanks so much for dropping in!

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All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are the original property of Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com and may not be reproduced without specific permission.