‘Going green’ and ‘rising gas prices’ are the two phrases du jour of late. Households the world over have been taking steps to be more eco-friendly and do their bit to make their home as green as possible. Tied into this is the ongoing rhetoric that gas prices are rising across the globe and households will start to feel the pinch, very soon. So it stands to reason that the environment will not be the only beneficiary to you adopting eco-friendly practices in your home. By implementing some of the below eco-friendly measures in your home it will also go some way in reducing your reliance on gas and in turn reduce your utilities.
Upgrade appliances
The appliances in your home such as refrigerators and ovens are major energy users and the older they are the more energy they will use. Modern-day appliances have been manufactured in such a way to be as energy-efficient as possible, meaning that not only will you be limiting your carbon footprint you will be cutting down your gas bill also. It may be an initial expense to update those older appliances but one that you will benefit from for years to come.
Insulate your home
Insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to save on heating and cooling bills. Heat is generally lost through the roof of your house so adding a layer of insulation in your attic can help to retain some of that heat. Other areas in the house that commonly see air escape are basements, fireplaces, and ductwork. If you have an older house or one that has not benefitted from insulation in over a decade it may be worth considering insulating your home.
A smart thermostat
A thermostat is an efficient way to control the climate of your home, even when you are not there. A smart thermostat can be connected to your phone and allow you to set the desired temperature for your home, from anywhere in the world. This offers up many benefits as if your heating is scheduled to come on and you are not going to be there you can simply turn it off or re-schedule it for when it is needed. This in turn prevents you from paying for heating that you are not actually benefitting from.
Evaluate your windows and doors
Along with poor insulation windows and doors are one of the most common culprits for energy loss. Replacing windows and doors can be an expensive undertaking so you want to ensure it is absolutely necessary. If you are not yet convinced that all of your windows or doors need replacing then consider whether you can seal them to make them more energy-efficient. You can do this by adding exterior caulk and weather stripping to the gaps that are allowing air to escape. It is a simple technique that will be only a fraction of the cost of replacing your windows but one that will buy you time and help you cut down on your energy bills.
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