With the economic impact of COVID-19, it’s prudent for you to cut down costs on important things such as your home by reducing expenses. This helps you to save some money and reduce the strain on your finances. As a plus, you can consider going sustainable, which also allows you to contribute to the environment’s good. Are you wondering how to get started? Here are some cost-effective and eco-friendly tips for your home.
- Lower your thermostat
One way to save money while keeping your house sustainable is to reduce your thermostat, especially when you clock in for the night or are away. According to calculations by the UK Department of Energy and Climate, reducing your thermostat from 19° to 18°C might bring down your overall dwelling temperature from 17° to 16°C. This helps to reduce your heating requirements from 2490-2250 degree days, giving you a 10% reduction. Although this sounds very technical, it’s quite easy to implement to achieve the optimum temperature for your home. It’s even easier when you opt for a new thermostat from https://serp.co/best/honeywell-thermostats/. To make it easier for you, incorporate a programmable brand to adjust the heating/air conditioning according to a planned schedule.
During the winter, you can decide to set your thermostat to 20°C when you’re up and about and reduce it when you are not at home. In summer, you should keep your house warmer when you’re not around and set it to 26°C when you want to cool it down. Another trick you should apply is to make your indoor and outdoor temperature similar, as this will reduce your overall cooling or heating bill. It’ll also be best to avoid setting your thermostat at a colder temperature when your air conditioner is on, as it can bring on avoidable bill increment.
- Embrace solar power
Electricity is vital to running your home smoothly, as it’s needed for daily activities such as cooking, laundry, ironing, entertainment, etc. What better way to get electricity than going solar? Solar power helps you save more by significantly cutting down your monthly electric bill, allowing you to take care of other expenses. What’s more, it helps you to reduce greenhouse gases, toxic waste and water pollution that cause significant distress to the environment. It’s also a reliable energy source that doesn’t require cumbersome maintenance procedures.
You can switch to solar power by going for Photovoltaics or PV, the common solar technology for home use. Remember to ensure that your house is suitable for its installation. Despite the initial high costs of installation, it’s worth it for your home and your pocket in the long run. However, if you’re not financially ready, you can opt for community solar, which involves a group of people sharing electricity generated by harvesting solar energy. You can visit www.choosesolar.com to learn more about how this solar option works.
- Use fluorescent light bulbs
One way to save energy and cut down costs in your home is to replace your incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs generate a lot of heat instead of producing more light, resulting in higher bills. They provide just 15 lumens per watt of input power, while fluorescent bulbs, on the other hand, produce about 50 to 100 lumens per watt of input power.
Fluorescent light bulbs produce less heat which makes them more efficient than incandescent bulbs. For instance, a 20-watt fluorescent light bulb is equivalent to 100-watt incandescent light bulb, making it more cost-effective for every area of your home that needs light. They’re also available in various colours and designs that add a touch of beauty and elegance to your home.
- Regulate the use of water
Regulating the amount of water you use in your home helps reduce your expenses and wastage. This also goes a long way to protect the environment in the long run, as it conserves water bodies. Managing your water usage in the home is essential in cutting down water bills by reducing the cost and energy used to treat water and wastewater. You can limit water wastage by replacing old toilets with modern ones that use less water. Additionally, you should look out for water leakages in your home and fix them immediately. It’ll also help if you use low flow showerheads, as they help restrict the flow of water you use when taking a bath.
It’s possible to adopt eco-friendly practices in your home while saving up extra money. By trying out these tips, you’ll be on your way to living a sustainable and budget-friendly lifestyle.
I think the idea of installing toilets that use less water is good. But I have one more tip regarding this. If you’ve got a green thumb but want to reduce your water usage, it may be beneficial to look into getting a rainwater collection barrel. Depending on your state or county rules, you may be able to collect rainwater with a collection barrel. Many outdoor gardeners use this method to water their plants and crops to prevent using city water.
Such a simple thing as a clean air conditioner filter can also improve your home’s energy efficiency. When the filter is clogged, it restricts airflow, making your air conditioner work harder and consume more energy.
Thanks for such great tips!! I also want to mention such a thing as regular HVAC maintenance. It is another vital aspect of an eco-friendly lifestyle as it can improve your home’s energy efficiency by up to 15%.
Another thing you should do to reduce your costs is to upgrade your swimming pool. Pools do use additional electricity. Upgrading to an Energy Star variable speed pool pump can help you save more on energy bills.
These are really cost effective tips for every home owner. I hope people will consider the above tips. Thanks and keep posting more!!!
While the temperature you set your thermostat to is certainly a matter of personal comfort and preference, it’s helpful to note that all a/c units have built-in optimum temperature ranges to ensure their longevity and maximum efficiently 🙂 So it’s important to find out the most energy-efficient range for your a/c unit.