Among them:
Suppose you just bought your new home and you’re wondering how you could make it energy efficient, there are simple ways on how to go about this. Below are ideas to make your home energy efficient.
1. Install a smart thermostat
This kind of thermostat connects to the Wi-Fi and will automatically make adjustments to the cooling and heating settings in your new home to achieve optimal performance. Compared to the traditional thermostats that require manual setting, a smart thermostat can be operated remotely hence enabling you to keep tabs on the temperature in your home while away from the house.
You can get a smart thermostat from a company that specializes in heating and cooling appliances.
2. Invest in low-flow faucets and showerheads
A water bill is among the top expenses after cooling and heating in our homes. These two appliances will function to regulate the amount of water usage in your home thereby minimizing wastage. A water-efficient home is also an energy-efficient one. While showerheads and faucets cannot control how much water comes out, they can regulate the water heating expenses incurred when taking hot showers, on dishwashers, and washing machines.
When selecting a showerhead, there are features that you should take into consideration. For instance, a low flow showerhead is one with less than 2.5 gallons per minute flow rate. While making a purchase, you should also determine whether you need an aerating or laminar-flow showerhead. The showerhead should also have a flow restrictor to lower your utility bill.
3. Use energy saver bulbs
For the longest time, we were reliant on incandescent bulbs with watts ranging from 75-100. For your new home, you could invest in either light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), or Halogen bulbs. The energy-efficient lighting systems can provide longer-lasting light which is also energy efficient. While an average home uses 35-40 bulbs installing these lighting fixtures reduces your energy bill immensely.
You could also invest in smart lighting. Smart LED bulbs are connected to an app or smart home assistant which automates lighting. With this feature, you can regulate lighting in your home onsite and remotely. It also eliminates the need for conventional wall switches.
4. Make use of solar panels
You can decide to install solar panels. Top-quality solar panels have an efficiency of over 22%. The benefit of using solar panels is that you never have to worry about electricity bills. They also reduce fossil fuel usage which helps in the conservation of the environment. Currently, people who use solar panels are eligible for annual tax incentives. Therefore, this could give you relief from the tax burden. In the beginning, it may cost you a lot to install these panels but you are guaranteed lifetime energy efficiency.
5. Regular maintenance of the HVAC System
A dated system will always use a lot of energy. Therefore regular maintenance is essential to ensure important components such as the furnace are working properly. During maintenance, a technician will ensure that coils are thoroughly cleaned, connections are tightened and parts are well lubricated to lower energy consumption. When these parts are serviced, there is a low likelihood of replacing the very expensive furnace.
Conclusion
When you have a new home, it is easy to customize it with fixtures that are energy efficient. You can save thousands of dollars in utility bills. “The energy efficiency resulting from smart home appliances is definitely an investment, that is however fully returned into a more sustainable future” - say experts from Cold Air Central.
About the author: Wyatt Somerset is an engineer with five years of experience with a focus on sustainable innovations. In his free time, he likes to read sci-fi books and enjoy the outdoors with his family.
