With Fall around the corner and the typically months-long winter following shortly, now is the time to consider making your home more energy-efficient to avoid hefty heating bills in the months ahead. Making your home more energy efficient is not only the more environment-friendly option, but it can also help considerably reduce what you pay to cool or heat your home.
Making your home more energy efficient does not have to be a costly endeavor. You can make small changes that offer big rewards in the way you consume energy or inadvertently waste it. Below are some of the easiest ways to do so.
Conduct an energy audit
It is important to assess first as to which portion of your energy consumption needs the most attention from an energy efficiency perspective. Many utility providers offer to conduct such audits so check with yours first. Alternatively, a professional energy auditor will also look closely at the overall energy consumption in your home, including your past usage. Their findings will help you identify the key areas where energy usage can be improved.
Use energy-efficient appliances
Installing energy-efficient appliances, such as a washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc. is a great way to reduce what you spend on electricity and water consumption. Making this investment can also significantly boost your home value in the longer term. At the same time, using these appliances during off-peak hours, such as the evenings or over the weekend is also the more energy efficient thing to do.
Use a smart thermostat
Overcooling or overheating is a common practice that not only jacks up your power bills but also makes your home less energy efficient. An indoor cooling temperature of 25 degrees Celsius for summers and 20 degrees Celsius for winters is generally recommended. Alternatively, installing a smart thermostat is a great way to save yourself the effort of adjusting the heating or cooling settings manually and can help cut these costs by about 15 percent.
Check your heating & cooling apparatus
If you haven’t already, consider investing in a tankless water heater and an energy-efficient heat pump or furnace. If you have a water tank, wrapping it in a blanket or other insulating material can help prevent heat loss. Have your HVAC unit serviced regularly to maintain efficiency and longevity. Install ceiling/standing fans in your home for use during the not-so-hot days. They use far less energy.
Check if your home’s door/window insulation is adequate
If the doors and windows in your home are well insulated, the cooling and heating systems will work more efficiently. Installing energy-efficient windows, including double or triple glazing, e-coating, and vinyl windows, can go a long way to prevent energy wastage and add to your home’s market value.
Unplug devices when not in use
Numerous studies have demonstrated the wasteful energy consumption stemming from a failure to unplug electronic devices when not in use. Also known as phantom loads or standby power, this can stem from keeping countertop kitchen appliances plugged in, even when not in use, or electronic devices, such as computers, televisions, cable boxes, or game consoles being left on. Same goes for plugged in chargers.
Use more efficient lighting
Lighting options that use less energy, such as LED and CFL light bulbs are recommended, especially for rooms in your house that are not used frequently. If you can, consider installing skylights in your home where possible. They not only provide more natural light, cutting back on the need for artificial lighting but are also great for maintaining good ventilation. Similarly, using lighter paint colors in your home is a great option to keep your home cool and bright.
Additional Resources
Guide to Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations
ENERGY STAR initiative in Canada
If you need more information about how to make changes to improve energy use in your home, do get in touch with the RE/MAX Royal Team Sachdeva Realty for more information.
Have a good weekend!