There’s a heavy focus right now on big home projects and lifestyle changes that benefit Mother Earth. These lavish expenditures can break the bank or, should you choose not to invest, leave you feeling guilty for not doing more. Here are six simple adjustments you can make at home that will shed the shame while saving you money and energy.
Make the Switch to a Smart Thermostat
Thanks to rapidly progressing technology, what was once a costly investment is now available in budget options. Major producers like Nest and Ecobee have released less expensive alternatives to their smart thermostats, making this investment pay for itself within a year of switching. Smart thermostats manage consumption of resources, so you’re immediately helping the environment
Take Shorter Showers
Shower heads produce up to five gallons of water a minute. By making the slight change of cutting two minutes from your shower daily, you could save up to 3,650 gallons of water a year. Even shaving one minute off your time daily could save up to 1,800 gallons a year. The environment thanks you in advance.
Insulate Your Hot Water Heater
Keeping your hot water heater cozy can save up to 10 percent of your water heating costs while reducing the loss of standby heat by up to 45 percent. Try wrapping an insulating blanket around your water heater, and watch your utility bill drop as the environment benefits from your careful conservation.
Install CFL or LED Light Bulbs
CFL or LED light bulbs use 20-25 percent less energy than their traditional counterparts. Not only do these environmentally friendly options reduce emissions, they have a longer life expectancy than incandescent bulbs. This kind of efficiency reduces stress on power plants, thus cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions. If you’re still using some incandescent bulbs and want to switch them all out cold turkey to save more energy, you can repurpose them as DIY light bulb terrariums!
Air-Dry Your Dishes
By cutting your dishwasher usage up to 50 percent through air drying your dishes, you could save over 1,000 gallons of water a year. Not only will this drastically reduce your energy output, it will substantially cut water usage. As it is, the rinse cycle on your dishwasher typically spends between three and seven gallons of water per use. The environmental advantages are two-fold with this one.
Check for Energy Leaks Around Doors and Windows
As homes age and settle, energy leaks can start small and grow over time. Check for leaks around doors and windows. Once leaks are located, sealing them can lead to up to 30 percent in energy savings. This means your monthly bill is chopped almost in half, and you’re helping the environment at the same time.
This is just a sampling of the many ways you can reduce your energy output and water usage to benefit the environment from home while saving money. For a full overview, order a professional home performance assessment. HVAC professionals can help you find specific cost-effective ways to optimize your energy usage and let you know if your home is performing the way it needs to in order to help the environment.
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