Homes use a lot of energy to stay functional, and your home is probably no exception. While some people are converting to an off-the-grid lifestyle to save energy, that doesn’t work for everyone. Some people are left wondering what eco-friendly changes they can make while still using energy in their homes. Keep reading to learn about three ways to save energy at home to help both your wallet and the planet.
Think About Energy Consumption
This may seem obvious. If you weren’t thinking about your energy consumption, then you wouldn’t be looking for ways to save on energy. The key is to not just think about energy and solutions but to actively notice how you use appliances in your home and use them more efficiently.
How often do you run your dishwasher and washing machine? To save energy, only use these appliances when they’re full. Wash your clothes with cold water as often as possible. Try to skip the clothes dryer altogether and air-dry your clothes instead.
Do you leave technology such as computers and printers plugged in so they’re always available? Instead of leaving them on, unplug them after use or plug them all into a power strip that you can easily turn off. Go through your entire home with this energy-efficient mindset and notice what’s using power when it’s not being used.
Get an Energy Audit
Using appliances more efficiently is something you can figure out on your own, but fixing your entire home to be more energy efficient isn’t. You can walk through your home and notice gaps around doors or windows and measure the insulation in your attic yourself. But a professional home energy auditor can use specialized equipment to give you a more comprehensive, detailed view of your energy usage.
An auditor can tell you how often you’ll need to insulate your home for energy savings and how to improve indoor air quality. They can also create other customized solutions for your home. You’ll be saving energy in no time with their professional help.
Plant an Energy-Efficient Garden
Planting a garden is one of the best ways to make your home more eco-friendly, but many people don’t know how their garden uses energy. After all, it’s outside where nature is partially in charge. But your garden can still negatively affect your energy usage if you’re not careful.
To prevent energy waste, change your watering habits. Group plants with similar watering needs together. Plant them in an arrangement that prevents as much water runoff as possible. Use gardening equipment that’s energy-efficient too. And if you have garden lights, set them on a timer to waste less energy. Try to use LED or solar-powered bulbs to further reduce energy costs. Being more conscious of energy consumption, getting a home energy audit, and planting an energy-efficient garden are three great ways to save energy at home. Doing these things will save you money and help the environment. While there are many more ways you can save energy in your home, these are three excellent ways to start.