Energy efficiency in modern homes holds significance because of several factors. Energy bills keep going up, and the planet is becoming warmer and warmer. And due to the ongoing pandemic, we are spending more time than ever inside our homes, which means higher electricity consumption.
The challenge for every homeowner is to reduce the impact on the environment, lower the energy bill and at the same time, maintain a comfort level that everyone in the home wants. You can lower energy consumption by following simple practices that do not require heavy effort or some big investment. Here are the best ways to make your home more energy-efficient in 2022.
Use Green Technology ideas
Green technology has seen a rapid increase in popularity as the private sector focuses on corporate environmental responsibility (CER). Companies are producing the best energy-efficient products that are modern in look and efficient in running. Best Electric Radiators, Haverland, Ecostrnd, etc., offer a wide range of options for homeowners looking for heating units. The electric towel rail with thermostat and timer by Best Electric Radiators is a great example of a product that uses minimum energy to run. Yet, it provides optimal results.
Green technology-based products focus primarily on using less energy to produce levels of heat that you need to heat a home. Modern radiators come with smart thermostats that enable the users to control them through apps on smartphones or tablets.
Remote access enables you to change the settings of your radiator with the click of a button or a simple swipe. So when you are not at home or are due to arrive in some time, lowering the temperature even by a few degrees will save you a lot of wattage. There are plenty of other electrical appliances available on the market that work on the same model – light bulbs or tube lights, refrigerators, preheated ovens and heat pumps, to name a few.
Optimizing the insulation of your house
Loss of heat leads to energy wastage, especially during cold weather. When you cannot control the loss of heat in your house, you will need to replace it, which directly means more energy usage than usual. In simple terms, by improving the insulation, you will be able to keep the heat indoors and the cold air outside.
Some simple insulation techniques include using weatherproofing strips or caulking and door snakes and adding thick curtains to the windows. These are simple ideas that you can DIY and don’t need to spend on professional services. Air sealing your attic and plugging a chimney if not in use also improves heat levels inside the house. DIY window insulation kits are available across online and brick-and-mortar stores, and they do not cost much.
Adopting energy-efficient habits
We spend more time indoors. Education is mostly online and work is in remote mode. In this scenario, it is natural to use the electrical appliance more. This means heavy electrical usage, and if not controlled, your power bill certainly upset you.
It does not take much to switch to new habits. Some simple discipline and communicating it within your family will mean great money-saving for you. In unoccupied rooms, unplug the electrical appliances and devices completely – tv, laptop, heater, etc. Standby mode consumers very less energy, but still, the best idea is to unplug them. The lights should be kept off and take a look at the attached bathroom if the geyser or lights are on. These simple ideas on energy saving will go a long way in preventing the excessive use of electricity and you will see the results quite soon.
Using cold or warm water with appliances like the washing machine or general use in the kitchen also reduces wattage consumption. Hot water should be used only when required. Water heating is one of the major reasons for electricity consumption in excess.
Installing solar-powered panels
Installing a solar power system might look like a heavy investment, but this one-time investment will save you a lot in the long run. In today’s times, it is simply the best method of reducing energy consumption and contributing to a greener planet. You can use the solar power system to operate multiple sections, right from the heating to lighting systems. You can use solar thermal panels to heat water, while PV solar panels can power various electrical appliances and the lighting system.
It will also serve as a reliable backup option in case of power outages. The PV panels allow its users to navigate any surplus energy back to the national grid, which means further savings for a homeowner. The system is almost maintenance-free, so you can rest assured that you don’t have to spend much to maintain it.
Regularly get the appliances serviced
Malfunctioning electrical appliances or outdated models can significantly impact the overall energy expenditure. Most electrical appliances from good brands run for a long time without any major servicing, but that does not mean they are energy efficient. As mentioned above, companies innovate regularly and develop smarter, environment-friendly and energy-efficient models of their products.
Star ratings, optimization for better performance, the material used in manufacturing and smart home-based functioning are some of the must-sees before buying any electrical appliance. Replacing old models with new ones will give you a feel-good factor and save money in the long run.