In this day and age, we should all be aware of the environmental implications of our day-to-day activities. The US ranks second in the world’s electricity consumption list with more than 3.9 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) used every year — and this isn’t something that is worth celebrating. Indeed, we are consuming much more than what the earth can provide. And if we don’t do something about this, we’ll all suffer the consequences of environmental degradation.
In this regard, we should strive to make our homes more sustainable and reduce the amount of resources that we consume. With that said, we’ve listed below five ways to promote sustainability in your home.
Switch to LED Light Bulbs
Old, incandescent light bulbs use a lot of energy, which is why it’s best to invest in LED light bulbs. These bulbs use about 25% of the energy incandescent bulbs use and last at least 25 times longer. LED light bulbs might be more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs, but the cost of these can be regained in a few month’s time thanks to the massive energy savings that these provide.
Consider Installing Solar Panels
Another investment that will make your home more eco-friendly is installing solar panels. The upfront costs for solar panels may be steep, but you will soon start saving money and recouping your investment. In addition, you can also make money from your solar panels. For starters, installing solar panels makes you eligible for a federal income tax credit that allows you to recoup at least 30 percent of the total system costs. Moreover, you can also generate Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) with solar panels, and you can sell these to utility companies. If you are considering installing solar panels on the roof, read our post on ‘5 Tips on Choosing the Right Residential Roofing Contractor for Your Home’. You will need to find a good roofing contractor who can help you fix up your home’s solar panel system correctly.
Draft-Proof Your Home
Failing to insulate your home properly can waste the energy used by your HVAC systems. Drafts in your home let the cold air in during the winter and warm air in during the summer, rendering your HVAC systems inefficient. HomeServe highlights several options to avoid this from happening, such as sealing gaps using various sealants, installing thermal curtains and blinds, and fitting your carpets and rugs with an underlay. By draft-proofing your home, you can boost the efficiency of your HVAC systems and reduce your energy consumption.
Integrate Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology gives homeowners access to connected devices via a smart home hub. Today, most of the appliances you find in your home are connected to the internet and can be added to a smart home hub. Smart home technology can help you achieve sustainability in your home as this allows you to control your devices remotely and automate power-saving strategies. For instance, if you are out you can set your smart home to turn your thermostat on at a certain time. This prevents the heating from being on all day and ensures that you still have a warm home to return to. Google Nest and Amazon Echo are two great smart home hubs that can help promote sustainability in your home.
With the effects of climate change becoming more prevalent and unavoidable, homeowners need to do their part. By following the above suggestions you will not only help save the planet, but also save on your energy bills.