Working towards a greener future and lower carbon footprint starts with a more energy-efficient home. There are some simple and cost-effective home upgrades that you can do before tackling some of the larger changes such as windows, insulation, heat pumps and solar panels.
1. Prevent and Seal Air Leakages
Air loss is a major reason for rising energy costs in a home. As insulation, caulking and doors / windows age, their ability to keep heat and cool air inside the home diminishes. If your home needs to work harder to regulate temperatures, you are sure to see higher energy bills each month. Resealing any air leakages will help keep your HVAC units running optimally and reduce unnecessary rising energy costs.
2. Switch to A Smart Thermostat
An easy upgrade is switching from a classic thermostat to a smart thermostat. These gadgets can automatically conserve power when you are out of the house or on vacation with handy eco (or away) modes. Plus, you can control smart thermostats from your phone, wherever you are.
3. Install New Bathroom Fans
If your bathroom has exhaust fans installed, it’s a good idea to replace those with more energy-efficient models, or better yet, ENERGY STAR® accredited products. Older exhaust fans can draw more power than needed as they work harder as they age, especially if they are getting clogged by built-up dust and moisture.
4. Insulate Pipes
Another way to help reduce energy consumption is to insulate warm water pipes so they retain the heat, rather than letting it escape. This will help you conserve energy and lower your overall heating costs.
5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
If you own an older home, many of your lightbulbs may be incandescent. Replace them with new LED types to save energy costs with up to 90% overall less energy use, when compared to incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs also don’t get hot to the touch, which helps keep your rooms cooler and use less air conditioning power!
Conclusion
If you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, start with a licenced home energy audit with EcoLogic Energy Advisors. Our experts will inspect and test the energy efficiency of your home, and then provide recommendations on needed upgrades to help lower your carbon footprint and work towards a greener future.
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