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More people than ever are adopting eco-friendly practices to reduce their energy consumption. Anyone can make a difference by being more mindful of their energy use and ditching the habits that cause energy bills to spike. Here are five energy-efficient hacks to make your home more sustainable.
If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs, it’s time to replace them with energy-efficient hacks like CFL and LED bulbs. Look for ones with the Energy Star label, and consider investing in smart bulbs to save even more.
Compared to a 60W incandescent light, a 12W LED bulb will use 80% less energy, while a 15W CFL bulb will save 75% of electricity, with comparable luminosity.
Smart bulbs have several benefits, including controlling them from your phone, creating timers and schedules, and dimming them to use less power.
There is a simple way to cut 90% of the energy you use when washing a load of laundry: Select the cold water cycle. Newer washers and modern laundry detergents wash clothes just as well on the cold cycle as they would with hot water, and cold water is actually better for fabric anyways.
You can reduce your HVAC unit’s energy consumption by as much as 15% by replacing or cleaning the air filter. A new filter will restore airflow and make it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature without having your HVAC unit and duct fans work harder.
Here’s a checklist of the different appliances that need a new filter or a filter cleaning once in a while:
You can reduce your environmental footprint by lowering your thermostat a couple of degrees and dressing warmly in the winter. In the summertime, open two windows for cross-ventilation instead of turning the air on.
For times when old-school methods just won’t do, replace your old thermostat with a programmable model. This simple upgrade will give you more control over your heating and cooling costs. You can create a customized routine to turn the heat or air off when you’re away from home.
Did you know you could save as much as 15% on your heating and cooling costs by upgrading your insulation? Adding insulation to your attic, basement and crawl space will make a significant difference, but there are other simpler hacks too, such as:
If you’re thinking about moving into a new home, energy-efficient construction can further reduce your monthly bills. Koch Homes is a home builder with more than 70 years of experience and a passion for energy-efficient housing. Contact us to learn more about our available properties!
