Energy efficiency is top-of-mind for many people and businesses, as we all try to reduce our carbon footprints to preserve the environment. There are lots of ways to improve energy efficiency in your home without spending a lot of money. Some methods will even help to reduce your energy costs, creating a financial benefit for your pocketbook.
Budget-Friendly Ways to Improve Home Energy Efficiency
Monitor your energy use. If you are more aware of your energy consumption, it’s easier to identify the areas where you can save. You can buy an energy monitor for £25 to £40, or your gas or electricity company may offer one for free. Place it in a visible spot, such as the kitchen, and be sure to check it regularly to monitor your progress. Some simple and free ways to reduce your energy consumption include:
- Waiting to turn on lights until dusk, and only using lights in the rooms that you’re using
- Unplugging appliances (such as the TV, toaster, or kettle) when they are not in use
- Minimizing your use of the clothes or dishwasher by waiting until you have a full load to wash
Fill in the gaps
You can use sealants such as Everbuild Tecnic construction products to fill in any gaps in your insulation to improve your home’s ability to retain heat or cool air and reduce your energy consumption costs. Sealants are often very affordable, and using them to fill any gaps in insulation may be a lot more cost-effective than replacing all of the insulation in your home. Pay particular attention to the insulation in your loft or attic, since poorly insulated roofs are often the cause of a lot of energy waste. Another area to attend to is the edges around doors or windows, where heat can escape and make the rooms feel drafty.
Buy an eco-kettle
Do you boil a whole pot of water for your daily cuppa? If so, you might be wasting both water and electricity. Instead, try heating only the water that you need, such as just 10 ounces for a single cup of tea. You might also consider investing in an environmentally-friendly kettle. Some use up to 30% less than the standard models. If you have the budget to replace other appliances such as your refrigerator or TV with a more energy-efficient version, you can increase your savings and reduce your consumption dramatically.
Hang thicker curtains
Even after you have used sealant to insulate your drafty windows, you might still lose heat through the glass panes themselves. To minimize the loss of heat and make your home more energy-efficient, buy some thick curtains to hang over every window. Curtains can be very affordable, and if you’re handy with a needle, you can make your own for even less.
Upgrade your showerhead to save water
After your toilet and your clothes washer, showers are the most prominent use of water in your home. If your daily shower lasts just 8 minutes, you are probably using as much as 17 gallons of water. To reduce this, you can invest in a new showerhead that better controls the flow of water for better efficiency. You can also save water by using the stream only to rinse. For example, turn on the flow to wet your hair and body, then turn it off while you shampoo and lather soap. Then, turn it on again to rinse, and you’re done!