6 Tips for an Energy-Efficient Home on a Budget
Nowadays, homeowners find it increasingly crucial to own an energy-efficient house, and for a good reason. With the signs of global warming becoming more evident each year, our moral duty is to do everything we can to protect the environment. Besides, making your home more efficient can help you lower the ever-increasing energy bills. Leading a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable lifestyle might seem difficult to accomplish on a budget, but in reality, it is not as challenging.
Consider a few HVAC energy efficiency improvements, such as changing the HVAC air filter and sealing and insulating the ductwork. Other than that, you might want to invest in energy-efficient appliances and limit space heater use, as well as draught-proof all the windows and doors and start making smart water choices. If you want to learn more, read on for a detailed guide to making a house more energy-efficient on a budget.
Seek Out HVAC Energy Efficiency Improvements
One of the best ways to make a home more energy-efficient is by making some changes to the HVAC system. That way, you can lower both the energy you need to power the house and, as a result, the amount of money you have to pay for it.
Here are two straightforward methods to cut your costs and still enjoy the benefits of having air conditioning in your home:
Change the HVAC Air Filter
One of the critical ways to make an HVAC system more energy-efficient is to change the air filter regularly. A clogged or dirty air filter will make the HVAC system work harder, which will use more energy and end up costing you more money. Depending on the filter type, you should change it every one to three months.
Seal and Insulate the Ductwork
Another way to improve the HVAC system’s energy efficiency is to ensure that the ductwork is properly sealed and insulated. Leaks in the ductwork can cause a large percentage of the heated or cooled air to be lost. Consequently, the entire HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain the desired temperature inside the house, using more energy and costing you more money. So, if you think there might be leaks in the ductwork, have it inspected and repaired by a professional.
Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances
Another superb way to make a home more energy-efficient is to invest in energy-efficient appliances. Plenty of different devices have been designed to use less energy, so this solution is worth looking into if you are in the market for new appliances. There are a few different ways that you can tell if an appliance is energy-efficient. One way is to look for the Energy Star label. It is a label given to machines that meet specific energy-efficiency criteria. Another option is to seek out the appliance’s energy usage rating, listed by the manufacturer on the device itself or in the owner’s manual. Since you are on a tight budget, you might want to start by investing in the cheapest options, such as better light bulbs and power strips.
Limit Space Heater Use
If you live in a colder climate and use space heaters to stay warm, you might want to do that only when necessary. The primary reason for this is because space heaters are one of the biggest energy-guzzlers in a home and can cost you large sums of money in the long run. With that in mind, instead of turning on a space heater when it is only a little bit cold, you should consider putting on an extra layer of clothes or getting under a warm blanket.
Make Smart Water Choices
There is no way around it — if you want to make your home more energy-efficient, you need to start making wise water choices. That way, you can save not only water but also energy and money. One of the best ways to save water is to install low-flow showerheads. Low-flow showerheads use less water than regular showerheads, so they use less energy to heat the water. Additionally, you might want to think about washing the dishes in a large plastic bowl filled with water instead of doing so under warm running water. By doing so, you can save water, energy, and money.
Draught-Proof Windows and Doors
Last but not least, you should draught-proof the windows and doors. That way, you can prevent heat from escaping the house, making the HVAC system work less. As a result, it will use less energy, allowing you to keep a few more extra bucks in your pocket each month. There are a few different ways you can draught-proof windows and doors, such as installing better weather-stripping on the bottom of the garage door or using caulk to fill in any gaps between the windows and the walls of the house.
In Conclusion
As you can see, you have numerous options to make your home more energy-efficient on a budget. For instance, if you can tell that your HVAC system is not as energy-efficient as it could be, you can take some steps to change that, such as regularly changing the air filter and sealing and insulating the ductwork. Moreover, you can start investing in energy-efficient appliances and making smarter water choices. For instance, using low-flow showerheads instead of regular ones can make a significant difference. Finally, you can lower the thermostat and draught-proof the windows and doors to further improve your home’s energy efficiency.
