Tips To Save Energy For Making A Sustainable Home

Energy efficiency is important to homeowners for several reasons. The more energy efficient the home is, the less it costs the homeowner in the form of utility bills. It can also be more pleasant to live in an energy efficient environment.

Upgrade to Energy Efficient Windows

Average homeowners spend an estimated 48% of the cost of their utility bills on heating and cooling the home. When you're running a heater or air conditioner, you're wasting significant amounts of money if your windows aren't effective at keeping the temperature controlled air inside your home. Energy efficient windows can help with this goal.

Switch to Using Energy Star Appliances

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) runs a certification program that makes it easy for homeowners to identify energy efficient appliances. Appliances that are particularly energy efficient are awarded the Energy Star label and certification. If your appliances are old and outdated, switching to Energy Star certified models will make your home much more energy efficient.

Install a Tankless Water Heater

Water heating can account for as much as 30% of a home's overall energy costs. Traditional hot water heaters are notorious energy wasters, because they keep water heated even when it's not actively about to be used. A tankless water heater heats the water at the time you're ready to use it. This has the advantage of heating far less water, resulting in lower overall energy consumption.

Be Sure You Have Proper Insulation

Proper insulation not only makes a home significantly more energy efficient, it also increases the comfort level in the home. If your home isn't already insulated effectively, fixing the situation is the simplest and most cost effective way to increase your home's energy efficiency level.

Install Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Plumbing fixtures directly influence how much water it takes to perform an expected function. New water efficient low flow toilets, faucets and showerheads require less water and perform the same function as their older, less efficient counterparts. Low flow toilets are particularly worth considering if you don't already have them installed in your home. A low flow toilet only uses 1.6 gallons of water each time it's flushed, as compared against a possible 6 or 7 gallons for older style toilets.

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