Figures suggest that despite the US being the second largest energy consumer in the world, it is using less energy than ever before. This is in the face of most American homes being complete energy hogs. The reason for this is that they simply weren’t built with proper insulation in mind.
If this sounds familiar, it might be time to consider putting some energy savings in place to help you combat excessive energy loss and increase your home’s energy efficiency.
New windows
New windows can have a massive effect on your energy efficiency. Looking to replace existing windows with energy star rated windows can reduce your heating and cooling bills by around 15%. Single-glazed windows won’t provide much protection from noise and the elements, so swapping to more efficiently glazed windows can offer many more benefits than just being energy efficient. From reduced noise, fewer drafts and increased safety, they are an investment worth making.
Cavity wall insulation
A third of the energy you use in your home is lost through the walls. Carrying out cavity wall insulation isn’t an easy job and will require the services of a professional to do this correctly for you. Cellulose, fibreglass and rock wool are some of the most common types of cavity wall insulation for existing walls. At the same time, you can choose different types of insulation, such as foam boards or recycled options for unfinished walls. It is also a good idea to undertake loft insulation at the same item to help you avoid energy escaping through the roof while carrying out internal and external wall cavity insulation too. Doing this together will give you better results and allow you to see more immediate benefits.
Servicing
Regularly servicing your HVAC system can help you identify if the system is working properly or using too much energy to sustain its functions. Systems that aren’t in good condition, need cleaning or have parts that need replacing will have to work harder to sustain the same level of service, thus using more energy to do so. Having your HVAC serviced regularly can help you identify any issues and rectify them so you can be sure it is energy efficient and not wasting your money when turned on.
Lights
One popular thought is that the US uses less energy due to changing light bulbs. And while this might seem like a massive overstatement, if you consider the number of lightbulbs in each house and how many homes there are, the UD sent quite the outrageous claim you might think it is. We use lightbulbs constantly, and switching to energy-saving lights can help you to reduce energy consumption while being altogether better for the environment.
Conclusion
Making your home more energy efficient can start with the small details like filling in the cracks around windows and doors, blocking the bottom of doors to stop drafts coming in, and being conscious about how many lights you have on at any one time and how many unused plugs are in outlets turned on. But bigger changes can help you to reduce your energy bills and ensure you aren’t wasting energy to keep your bills down.
