Energy-Efficient Home: How Can You Efficiently Save Energy At Home?

You will be surprised how small changes in households can affect the environment and your energy bills. There are many ways to save energy! It is worth building a house that makes it possible to reduce your energy consumption. Find out what energy efficiency is and learn tips on how to save energy.

 

Understanding Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency, following the definition provided in EED 2012/27/EU, is the ratio of outputs, services and goods achieved to energy input. Simply put, these are the results achieved relative to the energy inputs incurred, occurring under typical circumstances. What matters most is the efficiency of conversion of the supplied energy into the desired result.

 

There are many simple adjustments you can make inside your home to reduce your energy bills. Replacing light bulbs with energy-efficient ones is the best example. Light sources such as LEDs or CFLs require significantly less electricity than conventional incandescent bulbs. 

 

Energy usage can also be reduced by opting for appliances and utensils that require as little power as possible to operate, while still producing results that are just as good. By changing your habits and patterns, you can lower the energy consumption at home and help protect both the environment and your money.

 

Quick Tips on Ways to Start Saving Energy

There are many ways to save energy at home. Here are some of them:

1. Turn off the lights as soon as you leave the room – this is a basic habit that every family member should adopt. Over time, you will be doing this automatically, without even thinking about it.
2. Change the dishwasher mode – you can also reduce energy consumption by changing the dishwasher mode. Instead of the usual washing mode, choose the "eco" mode, which takes longer but saves water and electricity.
3. Energy-efficient appliances – the most energy-consuming appliances in your home are the kettle, tumble dryer and fridge. Look for appliances with energy classes D and E.
4. Unplug unused devices – if you are currently not using a charger, computer, or hairdryer, avoid leaving the cord plugged in. The appliance is in standby mode, and this will result in higher electricity bills.
5. Effective insulation – the hot water tank requires effective insulation to keep it at the required temperature for longer. Insulating your water tank, pipes and radiators is a quick and easy way to lower your bills.
6. Low-temperature laundry – you might want to turn down the programmed temperature to 30 degrees to further reduce energy usage.

Heating and Insulation Strategies

In order to save energy at home, it is a good idea to keep the central heating on a low level or turn down the thermoregulator a bit. You will notice real savings very quickly. This is obviously not an ideal solution, as everyone needs thermal comfort, but the Energy Saving Trust points out that by lowering the heating by a few degrees, you can drastically reduce the cost of heating your home.

In addition, you should consider the insulation of the entire building. Loft insulation is extremely important. It is through the roof and external walls that most heat escapes from the house. This is something that energy-efficient houses are designed to prevent.

To insulate the external walls, use a layer of good quality thermal insulation material evaluated by specialists and then cover the surface with plaster. The energy efficiency of the building will be improved, but so will its aesthetics. It is an expensive investment, but it pays off in the long run, as every subsequent energy bill will be reduced.

Use Smart Automated Appliances

Smart automatic appliances are developed with concern for the environment and their primary purpose is to operate efficiently while consuming less energy. They automatically switch off when not in use. This is a perfect solution for the forgetful.

Investing in Renewable Energy

Investing in renewable energy sources has been in vogue for some time. You might want to take advantage of what nature offers you to reduce your household energy consumption even further. To this end, you can invest in:

• Solar panels – by using just a few of these at home, you can become at least partly independent from the electricity grid. Photovoltaic technology is developing rapidly, and there are also tax incentives for those who decide to install them at home.
• Wind turbines – this solution is not an option for everyone and largely depends on the location of the building. Where there is a good wind speed, small domestic wind turbines could be employed.
• Heat pumps – especially the ground source version, provide efficient heating and cooling of the building. They are a durable and efficient system that can be used for decades.

Home Improvements and Energy Efficiency

An energy-efficient home has many benefits. It provides comfort and security and ensures no energy waste. It also boosts its resale value, due to the smart meter and innovative systems to elevate quality of life. Such buildings bring real benefits not only for the owners but also for the environment.

However, before an energy-efficient home turns into one, existing buildings require thermal modernisation. This involves investing in smart technology, highly energy-efficient windows and blinds.

Many minor modifications can also be implemented. These include sealing interior doors, patching gaps in plaster or investing in draught-proof seals. There are also special sealing strips for doors and windows, which are very effective.

Energy-saving Windows

Double glazing in windows has been the standard for a long time if you want to have a more energy-efficient home. They keep the interior warmer, but also quieter. The glazing panels with a sealed space between the two panes guarantee effective insulation.

An even more high-end option is energy-efficient triple-glazed windows. They have 3 panes of glass and 2 air-filled voids. Effective insulation against adverse weather conditions is achievable here, but the whole investment is quite costly.

Smart Home Technology, Roof windows and Blinds

A house fitted with high-quality roof windows wastes less energy. There are windows for sloping and flat roofs available on the market. Consider mounting a solar-type roof window as well – they are electrically controlled and may help with reducing household energy consumption. It’s also worth fitting special flashings to increase the tightness of the glazing. They securely attach the roof window to the roof covering, thereby keeping energy-saving indicators at a very good level.

A truly energy-efficient home may require a change in habits and a considerable financial effort. Yet, if you choose to do so, it will prove to be beneficial to both you and the environment in the long term.