Boost Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

8 Key Ways to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

By Cora Gold

An energy-efficient home allows you to save power, money, and the planet. If you want to reduce unnecessary consumption and live greener while saving a few bucks, you’re in for a treat. Discover how to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances

Consider the initial purchase price and operating costs when buying a new home appliance. Modern options may have higher upfront costs but will save you money and energy in the long run. Look for those with the Energy Star label — a government-backed guarantee of energy efficiency to protect the climate and public health.

Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks are small openings that can reduce the comfort of an indoor environment and increase energy bills. The most common sources are windows, doors and vents. Inspect for cracks between the wall and door frame, window or vent. Apply caulk to seal leaks between stationary objects and weatherstripping for moving items. You’ll enjoy a warmer home after doing these simple tasks.

Clean or Replace Air Filters

Did you know that you may be exposed to polluted air at home? Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors, where pollutants are often two to five times higher than outdoors. Now’s the ideal time to clean your air filters. There are two ways to replace them:

For a single room: Look for a filter with CADR (clean air delivery rate) that matches your room size.
For a home with central heating: Use a disposable filter with a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of 11 to 13. The higher the number, the better.

To clean your air filters, turn off your HVAC unit, vacuum the filter, wash it with water, and let it dry.

Use Natural Light

The sun is a free natural resource — use it to your advantage. Increase your energy efficiency by using window treatments instead of your thermostat. Let the sunshine in and admire the outside views. If it’s hot outside, draw light curtains or blinds to block the rays.

Improve Insulation

If your home is not properly insulated, heat can escape during the winter. Every time you turn the heat up, you just end up wasting more. Fully insulating your home, including garages and attics, will reduce transfer of air from the outdoors. You should also check windows and doors to see if you can feel cold air coming in. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any gaps and keep your home warm.

Unplug Devices

Did you know that plugged-in electronics continue to consume energy when turned off? This sneaky power consumption is called phantom energy, which accounts for 5% to 10% of residential energy use and could cost you as much as $100 yearly. Unplug appliances when not in use.

Clean Your Fireplace

Inspect three critical features of your fireplace — ash pit, smoke chamber and chimney damper. Remove debris and soot for a more efficient unit and to reduce fire risk.

Install a Clothesline

Outdoor clotheslines freely use wind and solar energy, making them eco-friendly. This means you no longer have to use dryers, especially in warmer months. During colder days, you can hang your clothes in an indoor clothesline.

Why Is It Important to Make Homes Energy-Efficient?

Following these mentioned tips provides many benefits:

Lower carbon emissions: These small efforts add up to a greener future by reducing your home’s carbon footprint.
More thermal comfort: Investing in smart systems helps keep your indoors comfortable at a lower cost, no matter the season.
Increased energy savings: Although some installments require upfront costs, the energy savings make them worth the investment.