When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint and making your home more efficient, there are many small changes you can make in your day-to-day life. By making simple changes in your home, you can not only reduce your environmental impact but also save money on your energy bill. These changes will also make your home more comfortable, especially during those first frosty mornings when you can’t wait for the sun to rise. Making your home more energy efficient is like planting a tree; it takes time, but the benefits will last a lifetime.

Switch to Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) - The Lowdown

Your home’s energy efficiency rating (EER) is a number that tells you how much energy your building uses per square foot. The higher your EER, the more energy efficient your home is. EERs are calculated by the square footage of the building, the heating or cooling type (whether it’s electric or gas), and the age of the building. For example, an EER of 10 means that your home uses 10 Btus per square foot, and the heating or cooling type is electric.

To calculate your home’s EER, visit the Efficiency Labs website. The site will ask you a few questions about your home’s location and size, so be prepared to enter some information. Once you’ve answered the questions, the site will give you your home’s EER along with tips on how to improve it.

Lighting

Lighting accounts for about 15 percent of the average home’s energy usage. There are many different lighting options available, including LEDs, CFLs, and incandescent bulbs. When it comes to energy efficiency, LEDs win almost every time. CFLs also have their benefits, and incandescent bulbs can be more cost-effective if you’re willing to forgo a certain amount of brightness.

If you’re renovating an older home, you may want to consider replacing all the light fixtures with LED bulbs. These bulbs use about 80 percent less energy than regular bulbs and last about 10 times longer. If you don’t want to replace the fixtures, you can also choose bulbs that are integrated into the fixtures. This will help you reduce energy usage by about 50 percent.

Thermostats

Thermostats are a great way to reduce your home’s energy usage by about 5 percent. The best thermostat for you will depend on your heating and cooling habits and personal preferences. If you’re not sure which one to get, you can use the Efficiency Labs calculator to determine which thermostat will save you the most money. There are also smart thermostats that can learn your heating and cooling habits and adjust automatically to save you even more money.

If you have a programmable thermostat, it might be worth changing the programming to run the heating and cooling systems at different times of the day. For example, you could switch the heating system to run during the evening hours while the cooling system runs during the daytime.

Insulate and Duct Seal

Poorly insulated and un-ducted air ducts can account for up to 10 percent of a home’s total energy usage. The cost of installing and sealing ducts can be high, but it’s worth it to reduce your home’s energy usage. The EPA recommends that homes have a minimum of R-19 insulation in ceilings and floors, and R-19 in exterior walls.

If you have an older home, you might want to consider installing a hybrid HVAC system that runs on both electricity and gas. It’s important to note that hybrid HVAC systems can be more expensive to install and run than either gas or electric systems.

Electric Appliances

The most energy efficient appliances in your home are likely to be electric appliances. The energy use of appliances varies greatly, but the EPA recommends buying appliances that are ENERGY STAR certified. These appliances are designed to use less energy and cost less to run.

The EPA also recommends making sure your appliances are in good working condition and not left running unnecessarily. Appliances that are left on all the time can account for up to 10 percent of a home’s total energy usage.

Conclusion

When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint and making your home more energy efficient, there are many small changes you can make in your day-to-day life. By making simple changes in your home, you can not only reduce your environmental impact but also save money on your energy bill. These changes will also make your home more comfortable, especially during those first frosty mornings when you can’t wait for the sun to rise.