As the weather warms up, you’ll want to keep your home cool as a cucumber, but there’s a balance between comfort, cost, and environmental responsibility. Luckily, energy efficiency is becoming easier to achieve with new technology and research.
Why Be Energy-Efficient?
Energy efficiency means using less energy to get the same excellent heating and cooling effects in your home. This decrease in waste reduces your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, on top of significantly lowering your energy bills! It’s not a challenge, either – there are multiple tasks that you can do on your own to increase your energy efficiency. Here are eight inexpensive and simple ways to improve your energy efficiency this year.
8 Tips for Better Energy-Efficiency This Summer
Take Advantage of Daylight
To reduce the energy used by lighting in your home, try daylighting. Daylighting is a technique where windows and skylights bring natural light into your home in strategic areas. The best way to use daylighting depends on the home, its location, the direction it faces, and the climate. Use natural lighting whenever possible.
Open the Windows at Night
If you live in an area where the temperature cools off at night, it’s beneficial to open your windows in the nighttime to naturally cool your home, rather than using an air conditioner. When you wake up in the morning, close the windows and the cool air will stay in your home for a while longer.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow your heating and cooling systems to automatically turn down at night time, and smart thermostats lower the system when you leave the house. If a programmable thermostat is not an option, you can also turn down the temperature manually. You’d be surprised at how much a few degrees can save you in terms of energy bills over the course of a year!
Stop Air From Leaking Into Your Home
About a third of a home’s heat loss happens through windows and doors. Inspect your windows and doors for any cracks, and seal any that you find. You can also consider applying weatherstripping for a tighter seal or purchasing storm doors.
Maintain Your Air Conditioning System
Regular maintenance for your air conditioning system keeps up energy efficiency and improves your home’s air quality. This includes replacing the filter, cleaning the evaporator coil, and minimizing debris around the condenser unit. If you aren’t sure about maintenance, be sure to call a professional – we know HVAC specialists!
Turn Down the Water Temperature
About 18% of the energy used in your home goes toward heating water. Try setting your water heater to the warm setting, or consider a tankless hot water heater before your next replacement. Also, wash your clothes in warm or cold water if possible. Around 90% of the energy used by your washing machine heats the water, so using cooler water will save a significant amount of energy (and it can also be better for your clothes!)
Clean the Air Ducts
Your HVAC system relies on your air ducts – if the ducts have too much dust and debris in them, that can impede the system’s efficiency. This leads to the HVAC system having to work much harder, which only raises your energy bills and contributes to energy waste. You don’t necessarily need to get a duct cleaning done every year (although many do), but if it’s been more than two or three you’ll definitely want to book your duct cleaning appointment right away.
Replace Your Filters
Filters in air conditioning and heating systems collect debris and dander over time. A dirty filter will cause the system to run longer and work much harder than necessary. A clean air filter will make your system more efficient and cost effective, and it’s the easiest way to be more energy efficient at home!
Get in Touch with Your Clean Air Experts
Spring is one of the busiest times of year for our duct cleaning experts! We’re helping homeowners clear out the dust, mildew, and allergens that have been building up over the year. Get fresh, energy efficient cool air blowing through your home this summer.
