When people think of going eco-friendly, they often think of expensive solar panels. This puts going green out of reach for many people.
Luckily, there are options available to you. Not only are there simple improvements you can make at home, but there are also a lot of tax credits offered by the government for buying green.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money to make your home more energy-efficient. Below are five tips that will help create a more eco-friendly home.
1. Seal and Caulk Your Entryways
Your windows and doors play an essential role in controlling the temperature of your home. Unfortunately, cracks can appear over time.
The air outside will start leaking into your home when cracks form. Using sealing and caulk will close these cracks. If you’re having a hard time sealing things up, you’ll need to invest in weather stripping to put in problem areas.
2. Check Your Insulation
Insulation is what helps control the temperature of your home. It should be in your attic to stop heat from escaping and in your air ducts to prevent air from leaking out before it reaches your rooms.
If your insulation is failing, your energy bills are going to be higher. Getting your home reinsulated can improve the effectiveness of your AC and furnace while lowering your bills.
3. Use LED Bulbs
Lighting your home is one of your biggest power sinks. Traditional light bulbs are inefficient at using energy and go out all the time. You can save money by switching to LED.
LED bulbs use a fraction of the power as traditional light bulbs. They might cost a little more upfront, but they will last much longer. You’ll end up saving money long-term.
4. Get a Programmable Thermostat
The chances are that there are times of the day where your home is empty. You go to work and your kids go to school. If you keep your home at a comfortable temperature doing these times, you’re wasting energy.
A programmable thermostat will alter your home’s temperature on a schedule. You can reduce your AC and furnace usage by reducing the work they do when nobody is home.
5. Compare Energy Prices
A lot of people live in an area that only has one area. The good news is that not everybody is in that situation.
If you have a choice for energy providers, you need to compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If you’re trying to be more environmentally conscious, you can also work with a company that is moving its energy production to renewable sources.
Use a comparison website like Electricity Scout to find your options. You might not be able to get entirely away from the grid, but you can get your electricity from renewable energy companies.
Making an Eco-Friendly Home Is Worth the Effort
Putting less strain on the environment isn’t the only reason to make an eco-friendly home. When you make your home more power-efficient, you’re going to reduce your power bill every month. There are more ways to save energy in your home, so make sure you try each of them to see if they work for you.
Are you interested in more ways to live a cleaner and healthier life? Read more of our online magazine to discover our latest healthy lifestyle tips!
