Ways to Make Your Home More Green
When it comes to your home, saving energy can seem like a big task. Fortunately, there are a lot of little things you can do to be more green. Additionally, if you make smart decisions when it counts (like when you purchase appliances), it can save more for years to come. Here are a few ways to save energy around your home.
Minimize Washer and Dryer Use
Be sure to only run a full load of laundry. This will make your washer and dryer as efficient as possible. Additionally, consider how often your clothes need to be cleaned. If you wear a shirt for a couple hours, it might still be clean enough to wear it again. Also, consider hang drying your clothes to save energy.
Adjust Your Water Heater
What temperature is your water heater set to? If you don’t know, it’s probably too warm. By turning down how warm your water heater is, it saves energy. The cooler the water temperature, the less energy it takes to keep the water warm.
Install Solar Panels
This is a bit larger of an investment, but it can be worth it over time. Not only can solar panels provide all the electricity you need for your home, if you get extra energy, the utility company can actually pay you for the extra energy.
Stop Unsolicited Mail
Why keep receiving mail you aren’t ever going to read? You can take your address off of mailing lists similarly to the way you can put your phone number on a do-not-call list. Not only will you not get mail you don’t want, you will help the environment by eliminating unnecessary waste.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
This is simple. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature where you want it exactly when you want it. This means you can make it comfortable while you are there and save money when you aren’t. There are a lot of different options available to suit your needs.
Insulate Your Home to Stop Drafts
There’s no point in heating or cooling the air in your home if it’s just going to seep out through cracks, windows or doors. Properly sealing and insulating your home can save you a lot of money simply by keeping the air you are paying for inside your home.
Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances
When you do purchase an appliance, such as a refrigerator, hot water heater, or HVAC system, be sure to get an energy efficient model. Yes, it might cost you a little more, but if you consider the savings on energy bills over the lifetime of the appliance, the additional up-front cost becomes nominal.
Get a Home Energy Audit
A home energy audit will let you know how efficient your home is at using energy and how you can improve. It’s a simple step to take to learn what you are doing right and where there are opportunities for improvement.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you save energy and keep your home more green, give us a call at 800-994-2577. We would love to hear from you!