It's easy to see why so many households are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. How to make your home more energy efficient!
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As the effects of climate change become more apparent and devastating by the day, it is only natural for people to take steps towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. When you've found effective ways to do your bit for the planet, it's time to start using your home's energy consumption. Most households use much more energy than they need to, and it is much easier to nip wasteful energy practices in the bud than you might think. If you and your family are interested in doing Mother Earth right, the following pointers may help.
Upgrade to energy efficient Windows
If you live in an area that has relentlessly hot summers or unsustainably cold winters, your home's heating and cooling system is likely being put through its paces. To maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, your stove and central air conditioning system have to work overtime on a regular basis – which is a ransom for a king's energy bills. While there is no way to completely cut heating and cooling bills, there are ways to cut them and lower your carbon footprint. This is where energy-efficient windows come into play. In contrast to conventional windows, energy-efficient windows contain multiple panes that make it difficult for indoor air to escape and for outside air to penetrate. Although they tend to be a little more expensive than standard windows, they're better for the environment and will save you a bunch of energy bills over time. Windy City residents interested in upgrading to energy efficient windows should look for reliable window companies in Chicago.
Upgrade to energy efficient devices
Many of the devices we use every day use more electricity than necessary. Not only is this bad for the environment, but it's not exactly good for your finances either. If you are tired of using more electricity than necessary and spending a small fortune on monthly energy bills, energy efficient devices might be for you. As the name suggests, these devices are designed to be energy efficient and use far less electricity than conventional devices. As with energy efficient windows, they tend to be more expensive than traditional devices but ultimately save money. The next time you're in the new device market, look for devices with the Energy Star label. This means that devices are recognized by the Department of Energy and the US EPA as the most energy efficient products in their class.
Replace your lightbulbs
While energy efficient lightbulbs are undoubtedly the way of the future, many of us just can't stop using traditional lightbulbs. In some cases, this is done out of habit. In other cases, households continue to use lightbulbs as a cost-saving measure. While conventional lamps cost a little less than halogen, LED and CFL lamps, they use more energy, which leads to higher energy costs. Second, energy-efficient lamps that last significantly longer than incandescent lamps are ultimately the cheaper option. The next time you need to replace a lightbulb, don't go for the option that is only cheaper in the short term.
Pay attention to the water consumption
You have a hard time finding a modern home that doesn't use more water than necessary. Given that freshwater is a precious (and, in some areas, dwindling) resource, it is in the interest of any energy efficient household to control water usage. Installing low flow faucets and investing in energy efficient dishwashers and washing machines is a good place to start. Speaking of washing machines, you can also avoid wasting water by only washing laundry on full load. Second, avoid running water when brushing your teeth, soaping your hands, or wiping dishes.
It's not difficult to say that climate change is the greatest crisis of our time. Although many media outlets view this ongoing global emergency as an afterthought, more and more households are becoming increasingly aware of humanity's environmental impact. To reduce their respective carbon footprints, many families have started to make greater strides towards energy efficiency. If you want your household to be one of them, then make good use of the measures discussed earlier.
