8 Effective Home Improvement Ideas to Make It Energy Efficient

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Energy - EfficientAmericans are known to waste energy and they spend billions and billions of dollars on the same. If you are worried about your increasing bills, don’t fret over it. So, it can be either ignorance or just pure laziness which accounts for much of the waste. As per a survey by the Home Heat Helpline, one in three adults worry for how they will pay their winter energy bills. Yes, the fall season brings a big challenge.

But there is no use of complaining or distressing for the same. The good thing is that you are living in an era of technology and innovation. With the help of smart technology and some planning you can make it easier for your pocket, and the environment, altogether. The secret is in living life a little more efficiently.

Want to know what all you can do to make your home both greener and cheaper to run? Explore 10 super-exciting ideas here:

A Layer of insulation for the attic: You can consult an expert Handyman in NYC to know how much insulation does your house truly needs. While the U.S. Department of Energy has shared a fact sheet for homeowners to decide if their insulation is sufficient or not, an expert’s advise will be better. Usually, a newer home won’t require insulating again. But the houses which are several decades old require an upgrade. Reason being, the hot air rises from the attic, and it is one of the biggest culprits leading to heat loss. There are some newer homes which contain sufficient insulation, however, an extra layer of insulation assist you with savings.

Try Programmable Wifi Thermostats: Another thing you can benefit from is a smart home automation system to have virtual control over everything which consumes energy. The programmable smart thermostats serve to be a perfect example. These energy efficient devices let you automatically adjust as per the need.

Avoid water wastage: Do you know bathing typically uses 75 gallons of water as compared to a shower which merely uses about 17.2 gallons on average? Yes, as per U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), an average homeowner has the potential to save nearly $170 a year with just a few changes to their water usage. You need to be conscious of running water, especially during daily chores, such as when you brush teeth or during shave time. Make sure to avoid running half-loads of laundry in your washer. While a full load saves energy, it also means you will be able to wash more clothes at once.

Solar panels installation: It is not the first time you are reading this, right? Although solar panels aren’t cheap, yet their increasing popularity is due to what they offer in return. Solar panels have many benefits. From heating water to generating electricity, you can use them for a number of reason. In short, these help you promote lower fossil fuel usage, save money on energy bills in the long run, and you might qualify for annual tax incentives.

Switch to a laptop: Laptops use up to 80% less electricity SmallBusinessChron.com states that they run on less energy as compared to your desktops. At a maximum energy drawn of 60 watts only, your desktop might consume somewhere around 175 watts. Along with this, it is also advised, that you should replace your computer every four years. Hence, if you wish to create an energy-efficient home, consider investing in a laptop.

Make a compost pile: If you think that to start compost pile you need a ton of space is required in your backyard, you need to know that it can be done in a small area too. Basically, compost is the result of organic waste which will be kept in a pile or container. You can keep fruit and vegetable wastes and it will decompose over time. This way you will get valuable fertilizer for your lawn and garden, meanwhile reducing the amount of trash you produce.

Replace Appliances with More Efficient Versions: It is said that heating systems which are more than 15 to 20 years old become inefficient as per the today’s standard. Also with all the recent developments in the industry, cooling systems which are more than a decade old needs replacement. You will easily get some inexpensive central air conditioning and heating systems which are more efficient than those high-end models you got installed years ago. Hence, if your home has turned 15 years old or more, then turning up a new furnace, boiler, or air conditioner might help you. Be a wise homeowner and plan for installation of new equipment with more improvements. When combined with other ideas like adding more insulation, sealing doors and windows, etc. it helps with energy savings.

Energy Audit: You can ask a Professional Handyman Manhattan or Upper East side, or hire a professional energy auditor for your home. Being experts in the industry, they can help you evaluate the inefficiencies and wasted energy.

What if everyone just makes just one eco-friendly change? Certainly, it will significantly impact the Earth, and of course, their individual bills too. These changes are easy to adapt and doesn’t cost a fortune. Have some other tips to go greener? Pen down in the comment section below.

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