Energy efficiency is something that people are incredibly aware of nowadays, whether they are looking to include more measures in their life or they want to take the initial steps. The fact is that every bit counts and helps to lessen your carbon footprint. And it’s not just the positive effect you have on the environment, as many of the most effective energy-efficient tips also end up saving you money. It’s a big win-win.
If you want to make a more conscious effort of living an energy-efficient lifestyle, here are four tips you can use.
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Invest in Energy Star Appliances Only
Home appliances, both big and small, can use up a lot of energy. The easy solution is to invest in Energy Star appliances only, as they use a fraction of the energy to operate. You’ll instantly notice a difference in your bills, so it won’t take long for these to prove their value.
Adjust Your Home Heating and Cooling
Another tip is to adjust the temperature you keep your home in, which means the central air conditioning and furnace don’t work as hard or as often. In summer, try adjusting your AC by a degree or two. In the winter, you can do the same with the furnace. A smart thermostat is a great way to have more control over the temperature in the home since it allows you to create a schedule based on the time of day and the day of the week. You can learn more here.
Installing one of these smart thermostats can save on average 8% per year on cooling and heating. If you make a more significant temperature adjustment, the savings can be more.
Embrace Ceiling Fans to Help with Home Temperature
This goes hand-in-hand with the above-mentioned tip, but using ceiling fans will help to make the home more comfortable without having to turn up the heat or turn down the AC. The trick in using ceiling fans is to use them properly. During winter they need to spin clockwise, which will blow the hot air down and circulate it throughout the room/house. In the summer, switch the direction so they are counterclockwise, which then pulls the hot air from the room up towards the ceiling.
Make the Switch to LED Light Bulbs
At this point, most people are well aware of how much energy you can save with LED lights, but if you haven’t yet taken the plunge, it is time to do so. Not only do LED lights use much less energy, but they also last longer so you aren’t replacing them as often. Be sure to also make a point of turning off the lights as you leave a room.
A Small Look at the Many Options
This is just a small look at the many energy-efficient options you can take in your home to immediately make a difference. Once you see how easy these measures are, you may want to try other ones as well and increase the savings and impact you have.
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