With a major emphasis on implementing sustainable technology across the globe, energy efficiency has taken the driver’s seat for most electrical and electronics companies. And there is a valid reason behind this push for energy efficiency. Not only does it help devices and appliances reduce their energy expenditure, but it also significantly reduces energy bills for the average homeowner and reduces greenhouse emissions. Moreover, it also increases the demand for more renewable energy resources. With so many benefits and such a positive impact, it’s unsurprising that most homeowners want to jump on the energy-efficiency bandwagon as soon as possible. If you resonate with this sentiment, here are 5 ways to get you started.

1. Utilizing Smart Power Meters to Monitor and Reduce Energy Consumption

Energy consumption in most households is analyzed by a power meter, which keeps track of the total electricity used in a stipulated time period. While monitoring this meter is a good place to start if you want to become more energy efficient, you can go one step further and opt for a smart power meter. How does a smart power meter differ from a regular one? First and foremost, it is a digital meter which monitors power consumption in real-time.

Therefore, when you employ a smart power meter, you can readily see how much energy is consumed in your household. Furthermore, installing multiple power meters for several heavy-duty appliances can give you valuable data on the energy consumption of these devices. This in turn, aids in reducing the usage of these devices or at the very least, makes you understand where the bulk of your energy consumption comes from.

Such a comprehensive understanding will automatically result in using these heavy-duty devices sparingly, ultimately making the home more energy-efficient in the long run. Lastly, there is a large variety of smart power meters with varying amperage and rated for different voltages. So please ensure you purchase a smart power meter that is suitable for your region and voltage output.

2. Enhancing Home Insulation for Better Energy Conservation

Another easy way to improve the energy efficiency of your home is by focusing on insulation. Insulation is a critical part of the house’s infrastructure. Responsible for keeping the heat inside the home during the warm months and keeping it cool during the summers, inefficient insulation directly translates to increased energy bills. Not only is it detrimental from a monetary standpoint, but it is also harmful from an environmental point of view. Therefore, making your insulation air-tight is a top priority.

How to go about improving your home’s insulation? The process can be as extensive as removing old insulation from the attic and getting a new one installed, or as minor as taking care of minor air leaks. The most susceptible areas in a house where air leaks happen are windows, doors, ceilings, floors, the attic and the basement. Seal these small gaps and crevices by using sealants and waterproof fillers. In fact, it is a common home renovation process known as caulking.

Although the process can be time-consuming, it is fairly simple and can be done by homeowners themselves if they have had prior experience in home repair. However, for complete amateurs, it is best to enlist the services of a professional as one can end up exacerbating the problem.

3. Investing in Energy-Efficient Appliances and Lighting

A more direct way to improve energy efficiency is by opting for appliances that are more energy-efficient. Be it something intensive as a refrigerator or an oven, or something smaller like a toaster or a coffee maker, all appliances can be judged on the basis of power consumption. Ensure to check the energy rating of each new device you purchase. Even though it is more expensive than other appliances, the cost savings in the long run is worth the investment. Another good rule of thumb is to replace appliances that are at least a decade old, as there are definitely newer, energy-efficient alternatives in the market today.

When it comes to lighting, the rationale is pretty similar. Energy-efficient LED lighting has become the norm in most households. However, you may have forgotten to add these lights in certain areas of the house like a garage or a back shed, indirectly contributing to higher energy bills. So make sure to get them replaced with modern lighting solutions. You can even invest in motion sensor or timer-based lighting to further optimize its usage. Even if you forget to turn off the light in a particular room, the timer or motion sensor will turn off the lights automatically.

4. Implementing Sustainable Heating and Cooling Practices

Closely related to insulation, a sustainable heating and cooling solution for a house is not solely dependent on the former. While insulation is certainly important, it is fairly easy to further improve the cooling and heating of a room in a sustainable manner. For instance, during the summer months, air conditioning will be on full blast, and the energy bills will skyrocket. A fairly simple fix can be installing ceiling fans apart from air conditioning to reduce energy consumption. Similarly, setting the thermostat to a reasonable temperature can go a long way to make the home more energy efficient. An even better solution is to install a programmable thermostat, which will automatically adjust the temperature of the rooms in an optimal manner.

For the colder months, the thermostat rule still applies. Furthermore, homeowners can invest in a pellet stove instead of a furnace. In fact, it can be as simple as drawing in the curtains during nighttime to hold the heat for a little longer. The same can be done even with blinds. Or for a more comprehensive solution, installing quality window shutters can also aid in improving heat retention. Ultimately, these small steps in tandem will guarantee a noticeable reduction in energy expenditure.

5. Upgrading to Efficient Electrical Wiring for Safety and Energy Savings

If you don’t have an electrical background, wiring might be the last thing you may think of in the context of energy saving. However, electrical wiring is critical in ensuring an energy-efficient home. This is even more true for properties which are a few decades old, as the wiring in these houses is most probably old. Not only does it lead to more electricity leakage while operating an appliance, but it also poses a major fire hazard. Old, faulty wiring can easily create a spark when overloaded, leading to an electrical fire if left unattended.

Therefore, get started on replacing electrical wiring right away to ensure an energy-efficient household. Of course, never do the replacement yourself unless you are a licensed electrician. The delicate wiring can be tricky and risky to navigate. Improper installation can lead to short-circuiting and fires at worst and increased energy bills at best. So enlist the services of a licensed electrician in your area and they will inspect the wiring and only replace those which are in dire need of an overhaul, and you will end up with a property that is optimized for saving energy and is safe from fires, sparking, burning and other electrical hazards.

Conclusion

In closing, follow these 5 steps diligently to see a major decrease in your home’s energy expenditure. Apart from being financially profitable, you can also rest easy knowing that you are contributing positively to society by making your home more sustainable and safe from any potential fire hazards.