House Tweaks to save more Energy at Home

Saving energy at home – you have nothing to lose, and everything to conserve. As you read this article, you may already be aware of the benefits of saving energy. Not only will you help conserve the planet’s natural resources, you will also get to pocket more savings, which you can spend on more meaningful things.

Do yourself and earth a favor by learning these simple house tweaks to save more energy at home.

Lighting Tweaks

Tweaking your lighting is the simplest and easiest way to conserve more energy. Turning off lights that are not in use is obvious, but it is an excellent first step. After all, electric lighting accounts for 25-30% of your power consumption.The next thing you need to consider is changing the bulbs themselves and installing add-ons that can conserve energy for the long-term.

Using Bulbs that Last Longer with Less Power

First of all, you should go fluorescent bulbs whenever you need lighting for small rooms since they are more energy efficient. Additionally, they only use a third of what incandescent lights use – not to mention they can last up to 10 times longer. A good alternative would be LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights, which can last a lot longer than compact fluorescent bulbs.

Adding Draperies

During the day, you can save energy and make your home look tranquil at the same time by allowing the sunlight in. The secret lies in treating your windows with the right curtains. Choosing light-colored curtains will do wonders for your indoor atmosphere.There are also thermal curtains that are designed specifically for conserving energy.

Using Thermal Curtains to Save Power

The US Department of Energy or DOE advises to use white-plastic backings on medium-colored curtains to reduce incoming heat by up to 33%. Simply close the curtains in the morning to prevent heat from coming in. This simple tweak will prove to be extremely useful during the summer, especially for people who rely on power-hungry air conditioners to keep cool. On the other hand, you can use curtains with heavy fabrics to retain the heat indoors during the winter.

Cleaning Tweaks

Health is not the only concern when it comes to cleaning. Just like everything else related to home maintenance, cleaning your house costs energy. For one, you should try washing a full load of laundry since washing a smaller load costs just as much energy. Also consider washing with cold water and avoid using the heater to save even more money and energy.

In addition to the energy efficiency during the cleaning process, cleaning home appliances and furniture such as air conditioners, mattresses, and upholstery can prevent further costs down the road.

Hiring Cleaning Professionals for Appliances…and Carpets

So when cleaning or servicing your appliances, hiring cleaning professionals or technicians should be your first option since they can use cost and energy-efficient cleaning methods.Aside from this, cleaning the carpet may also be a concern especially when using hot water extraction. Fortunately, you should be able to find plenty of companies today who offer insulation in addition to carpet cleaning. Melbourne, Tokyo, Toronto, Dubai — no matter what corner of the world you’re in, there should be a cleaning company nearby who can attend to all your needs.

Go Green with Plants

Save more energy by going green – literally. You can add more indoor and outdoor plants in your property for a more natural thermal management. Outdoor plants, particularly large trees, can significantly reduce the amount of heat that goes into your house by providing a shade.

Planting trees around your property could offer you a long-term solution for saving power. However, be advised that trees with a fast growth rate are not as sturdy as those that take a long time to mature. Trees with a moderate growth rate like white oak, birch, hickory, and pecan are good choices.

On the other hand, smaller indoor plants can help control the internal temperature through humidity. Through a process known as transpiration, plants release moisture from their leaves into the air surrounding them. This isn’t only beneficial during the summer – humid air will also help sustain the heat in indoor spaces. Some of the best indoor plants for home energy-efficiency are the bamboo palm, English ivy, Boston fern, and Areca palm.

Green in Style

Last but definitely not least; going green can make any household appear more elegant and soothing. Thanks to the internet,you don’t need a professional designer to pull off an astounding look, even if you’re planning on starting a garden for a better outdoor environment.You can borrow ideas from home designs and photos you can see in sharing websites like Pinterest – or even via Google Image search.

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