Being energy efficient can be cost-saving. However, it means that you have to reduce the energy you use for your lights, heating, cooking, cooling, and refrigerating your food.
Becoming energy-efficient also has many environmental benefits. The slightest change may greatly impact greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollutants. But to do this, you may have to renovate your home and change your interior design. You need your electrician Long Island and interior designer to help you do this. But before you contact them, read on to know how you can save energy.
- Replace Lighting Fixtures
Kitchen appliances and lighting fixtures consume a lot of energy and may need replacement. You can start by replacing your bulbs with more energy-efficient alternatives like LED and CFL, which increase efficiency. The advantage of these bulbs is that they last longer and use less energy than fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. Furthermore, they also burn brightly but don’t give out much heat or the irritating buzzing noise when you put them on.
It would help if you also optimized your kitchen to make it more efficient. Experts recommend replacing energy-consuming kitchen appliances with other alternatives. Energy Star appliances, in particular, can help you save money in a variety of ways. Statistics show that Energy Star refrigerators have a 9% efficiency level than others that meet the Federal Efficiency Standards. Energy Star dishwashers are also cheap to run. Fortunately, you can get an Energy Star rebate in your state by replacing some appliances.
- Use Ceiling Fans
These fans can help to minimize cost and act as an HVAC system and alternative. Though running the fan needs electricity, it’s cheaper than using a cooling or heating system. Fans are cheap and use almost the same energy amount as that of light bulbs. Using them can save about 40% of cooling bills during summer and 10% of heating costs during winter. That’s because, in the summer, they push the hot air to the ceiling and downwards during winter.
- Add A Skylight
Skylights are the main focus for most homes. However, they’re not economical as they may increase your home’s efficiency, enhance your interior lighting and heating, and improve air ventilation. According to the US department of energy, a good skylight shouldn’t be bigger than 5% of the flooring area if the room has many windows. It shouldn’t also be larger than 15% of the flooring area if the room has few or no windows.
Unfortunately, skylights don’t fit in every home. Ensure you confirm that your home’s design can fit well with one skylight. That may require you to consult a professional before installing it.
- Use A Cool Roof
Cool roofs are expensive and may make your house the talk of the neighborhood, though they have a host of benefits. Some of these include absorbing less heat and reflecting more sunlight than the normal roofs. These roofs use the same principle as that of clothes. Darker clothes absorb more heat and make you hotter, while brighter ones reflect light, making you cooler. Cool roofs can control the temperature of your home and allow you to down your air conditioner.
Bottom Line
You can save a lot of money without compromising your home’s interior by adopting energy-efficient tools and appliances. Replacing bulbs and installing cool roofs can help to control the temperatures of your house greatly.
