Running an energy efficient home is not only economical but good for the environment too. There are a number of ways to do this and in this article, we cover a few ways that you can help yourself and the earth. Remember technology is always improving so keep up to date with trends as much as you can as there may be new more effective ways to save energy that you may not have thought of or been exposed to.

Upgrade appliances

When the time comes to upgrade your appliances look out for the labels that state the energy efficiency of an appliance which should be clearly marked on the one you are interested in buying. According to Energysage.com, “although energy efficient appliances usually have higher purchase prices, their operating costs are 9-25% lower than conventional models”. This gives you a good idea of what to look out for. Yes, you’ll be paying more upfront, but the benefits far exceed the initial higher price.

Time your washing carefully

This may be tricky if you live in a very wet climate but if you live in a country where there is lots of sun, time your laundry days according to the weather. This will save you a lot of money when it comes to electricity bills as using a tumble dryer eats up a lot of power. And it’s wasteful if you can harness the sun to dry your clothes.

Only wash when the machine is full

It may seem obvious but using the washing machine or dishwasher only when full can help immensely with conserving energy. So wait until you have a full load! Sometimes we need to do a half load but this should be an exception in your household. The benefit of having a more up to date machine can mean that you can set a half load cycle or sometimes the machine can calculate that automatically. Check before buying if you do tend to do half loads particularly if you live by yourself.

Seal windows properly

A lot of air can escape or come in from windows that are not sealed properly. If you are in an area that gets cold, your heating may not be as effective because of this. Similarly, if you are in an area that is hot most of the time your air conditioning may not be as effective if windows don’t seal properly. Both cases can benefit from properly sealed windows. Awnings and screens may help in hotter climates and in colder climates “low-e” coatings can help keep things cooler inside.

Use an energy efficient water heater

As with appliances, look for an energy efficient water heater. They are also very easy to maintain so you do not need to worry about having to replace them frequently. Often it is just a case of the element needing to be replaced. You can visit https://waterheaterreviewssite.com to find out a bit more about this, plus there are reviews on water heaters as well as other useful tips.

It’s also an idea to install a programmable thermostat to switch on automatically when you need it. This will help to only heat water when it is needed and not during the day, for instance, when you are at work and children are at school.

Solar is the way to go

We have mentioned it already but using the harnessing the sun’s energy is the way to go. Particularly if you are using a lot of energy and have a large family or just want to go off-grid. Solar heating is becoming more and more popular. The initial cost may be high but there are many advantages to having it. It will reduce your electricity bills and it’s low maintenance! How nice is that! Also with the popularity and advancements in technology the prices are sure to come down making it a good investment for yourself or if you were to sell your property.

Exercise care and moderation

The best tip we can provide when saving energy is to carefully consider your habits and change them if necessary. Our bad habits as humans can be detrimental to the planet if we do not start changing the way we do things.