We are going to provide you with tips to make your home or rent more energy-conscious. Our tips are about conserving water, reducing your heating and cooling bill, installing energy-efficient appliances, and outdoor lawn and garden tips. Commercial buildings, homes, and rents consume about 18% of all energy use in the United States. Consumers in homes, condos, and apartments must learn energy-saving methods to make the environment of their homes more energy conscious.
Ways to Conserve Water
Heating water in your home accounts for 18% of your property’s energy use. Start by checking the temperature of your hot water heater. The ideal temperature is 120 degrees. Otherwise, you may find it to be too hot. Use cold water for washing some of your laundry, ideally on dark clothes, lightly soiled items, and delicates. Save the hot water for washing towels, linens, and heavily soiled clothing. You should shower for 10 minutes or less instead of taking a bath. This saves gallons of water. Wash some of your dishes by hand, using hot soap and water occasionally. Dry them and put them away.
Reduce Your Heating and Cooling Costs
Insulate your home by having someone put caulking and weather stripping around the doors and windows to improve heat retention and cooling. Think about installing a thermostat that is energy efficient and lets you control temperatures in rooms to save money. These thermometers can turn off the heat and turn it back on and reduce air temperatures in rooms when cooling. Ceiling fans cool the room and enhance the cooling in rooms near the air conditioner.
In mild climates, heat pumps provide energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. These pumps heat and cool your home in one integrated system. Geothermal systems use the air in the ground to heat and cool your home. They use natural resources, so they are one of the most eco-friendly systems around. These systems are often installed in new homes and require a duct system with them. Installing Energy Star-rated furnaces and boilers is another way to save energy in your home.
Installing Energy Efficient Appliances
Homeowners remodel 10.2 million kitchens and 14.2 million bathrooms a year and often replace appliances with energy-saving models. Energy Star-rated appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers will save you money on water and electricity bills. They are made to lower the use of water and electricity. You should replace older appliances with Energy Star-rated models. Buy a smaller refrigerator and save on energy and less food waste.
Replace the toilet in the bathroom with a low flow model. These toilets use less water and are more efficient. Install energy-efficient showerheads and faucets in the bathroom and kitchen. Energy Star-rated appliances will save you 50% to 75% on water and electricity use. A tankless hot water heater only heats water when you want it and this saves on energy used by oil and electric models.
Energy Saving Outdoor Lawn and Garden Tips
Plant drought-resistant plants that use less water in your garden or yard. Go to your local garden center and find native plants that grow well in your location. They will often require less water and care and thrive naturally. Water plants during the cool part of the day, early morning, or early evening. Collect rainwater in barrels to use in your garden. Turn off the hose and water the plants using a watering can. Add mulch to your garden to save water by keeping moisture in the ground and help to prevent weeds.
Planting shade trees can lower the temperature in your home by about 25% compared to direct sun. A single shade tree planted in the right location makes a big difference. When you use an irrigation system, drip or rotor head systems are the most efficient. When you mow your lawn, set the mower height higher during hot summer months. Leaving your grass longer provides protection against weeds and loss of moisture.
These are some tips to help you make your home or apartment more energy-conscious this year. You can start with small changes this year and plan to make larger changes that make your home more energy-efficient.
