Another year has begun so maybe this is the year you take on becoming more energy efficient in your home. Sure you can do the basics, like purchasing greener light bulbs or smart thermostats, but there are unique ways to save even more energy and take green efforts to new heights.
Get Green In The Kitchen
The kitchen is a huge source of energy usage and is a great place to start with your at-home green efforts. For one, match the pot or pan size to the burner you use on the stove–it’ll help you avoid wasting energy to heat it up. In addition, items that can be cooked in the microwave, toaster or toaster oven help save energy as these small appliances use a fraction of energy when compared to your full-size oven. Lastly, when boiling water, only use as much as is needed to avoid heating more water which takes more energy.
Keep Your Fireplace Efficient
In the cooler months, nothing makes your home cozier than a roaring fire in your fireplace. However, if your fireplace is inefficient, you could be losing money and energy each month. When your fireplace is not in use, ensure you close the damper–keeping your damper open when a fire is not in use is like leaving a window open in the winter. Just ensure you reopen the damper when you go to light your fireplace again. An even more efficient way to avoid losing warm air through your fireplace is to add glass doors.
Decorate With Energy Savings In Mind
When decorating your home, ensure there are no pieces of furniture or decor blocking your air vents. Objects obstructing the airflow from vents will increase the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your home.
Garden Your Way To A Greener Home
Spring is just around the corner and with it, warmer weather and a need to keep your home cool. A great way to keep your energy costs down is to take advantage of the cooling properties that landscaping can provide. Trees and shrubs planted along your home help reduce the absorption of heat. (Just ensure you keep power lines in mind when planting trees. Vines that climb along your home can actually help reduce the temperature of your home by up to 5 degrees.
