we are fortunate to live in an era dominated by technology and innovation. Smart technology, effectiveness of transport and useful applications are everywhere, making it easier for all of us to live more effectively. So, with that incredible innovation, I often wonder why so many people are not still living greener.
if each of us does just a change of environment-friendly, we would have a significant impact the Earth, our communities and our energy bills. In case some of you are willing to make small changes, but don't know what to do to be energy efficient, here are 16 things you can do to be greener at home. I have included expensive and inexpensive, changes you can make.
Low-Cost Savings
lower your Thermostat
adopt the vestments of a lowering of the temperature on the thermostat in the home. The temperature down by only three to five degrees will reduce your monthly electric bill and use less energy. According to Energy.gov, turn down the thermostat to 10 to 15 degrees during the working day will save 5-15% each year.
start a pile
you don't have a ton of space in your yard to start a compost pile. Compost is the result of organic waste that are kept in a stake or a container which breaks down over time. Your fruits and vegetables not only becomes valuable fertilizer for your lawn or garden, but it reduces the amount of waste you produce on a daily basis.
install low-flow shower
installation of showerheads to flow improves the efficiency of the water in your House. Flow showerheads have a flow lower than 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute), while the use of more conventional shower 5 gallons per minute. Mother Earth will thank you!
attached all windows
go even further by sealing in and around windows air leaks in your home. If your windows are drafty, consider the addition of caulk around the frames. Add a dash of sealing silicone on cracks in your drywall or apply a piece of shrink film to your windows. Sealing cracks and gaps is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce energy costs.
limits heater use
Although electric and gas heating to keep your feet nice and warm in cooler weather, they are not the most effective way to heat your home. Many heating devices use 1500 watts of energy to operate and are considered to be an expensive way to drain your energy bill. Make sure that the model of your heater is energy; consider layering clothing or invest in blankets instead of the crank to the top of your thermostat.
turn off unnecessary water
according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average homeowner can save about $170 a year with small changes to their water consumption. Be aware of running water for brushing teeth or shaving. In addition, bathing in general use 75 gallons of water from a shower that uses about 17.2 gallons on average. Also, you should avoid running half-loads in your washing machine. A full charge means that more clothes to wash at the same time, which in turn allows to save water (and money).
replace incandescent
in 2014, manufacturers stopped producing incandescent 60-Watt and 40-watt bulbs (bulbs of 100 watts and 75 watts were already eliminated). But we are not condemned to live in the dark. Halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLS) and light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs provides light lasting longer and are more energy efficient than your old incandescent bulbs. Because the average household uses 40 bulbs, shift to greener bulbs is a great way to save on your electricity bill.
unplug unused Chargers
cell phone and battery chargers that are plugged in but not in use not are often referred to as energy vampires. According to Energy.gov, average charger consumes 0.26 watts of energy when you don't use it and 2.24 watts when it is connected to your phone. Only one, a charger won't make much impact, but collectively the energy vampires may be responsible for 10% of your energy bill. So, unplug your chargers when not in service.
do not wash with hot water
avoid getting your washing machine with hot water and to opt for cold or warm water when possible. According to Treehugger.com, 0% of the energy used by your washing machine is used to heat the water and the other 10% is used to operate the machine. In other words, using more fresh water for each load can potentially save a significant amount of energy.
ideas big-Ticket
Add insulation to your attic
adding insulation to the attic space can help to seal air leaks and improve your home heating and ventilation costs. The amount of insulation required to cover your attic depends on the size of your House and the climate in your region, but according to HomeAdvisor.com, the average cost of blow in additional insulation in your attic is $1 356.
install solar panels
Although the solar panels are not exactly cheap, they become a popular way to heat hot water and to generate electricity for homes. Solar panels have many advantages! They help to save money on good energy in the long run, promote the lower use of fossil fuels and can help you to qualify for annual tax incentives. In general, they are installed on your roof and cut your electricity costs, energy, regardless of your electricity company. Consider to do and Don'ts of home solar panel systems.
install a storm door
, even if you have a high forehead efficiency or side door, adding a door gives you an extra layer of protection against the weather year-round. Storm doors usually have glass low emissivity or a protective layer which can help reduce the loss of energy up to 50%, according to the U.S. Department of energy. Most of the storm doors last between 25 and 50 years and can cost as little as $75.
perform an energy Audit
consider hiring a professional home energy auditor and evaluate the inefficiency and waste of energy in your home. A trained and certified auditor will have to inspect in and around your home to identify savings opportunities and to identify areas for improvement. Auditors usually charge by the size of your home or at the time.
buy appliances Energy Star
the Energy Star products, such as refrigerators, televisions, cookers, washing machines and air conditioners, meet energy efficiency specifications set by EPA. Energy Star approved devices use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard units and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If you plan to replace a camera soon, consider obtaining a certified Energy Star product.
tune Up Your system HVAC
a development annual on your heating and cooling system will ensure that your furnace and a/c are working at full capacity, what that will save you money every month. A home heating and cooling control improves efficiency by ensuring that the connections are tight and components are properly greased coils are cleaned. Setting your Ventilation system can also help you avoid replacing your furnace, which can cost between $2,000 and $8,000.
replace your desktop computer
most tech experts believe that you need to replace your computer every four years. When the time comes for your desktop computer, consider replacing it with a laptop. According to SmallBusinessChron.com, laptops use up to 80% less electricity and make the least amount of energy. Laptops generally show up at an energy maximum circulation of only 60 watts, so that most computers of the art around 175 watts. Laptops do not come with a cheap price, but they are more environmentally friendly.
seriously, everyone should be able to find at least one or two things on this list to perform green-ify their home. Below, share other ways to create an energy efficient home.