There is no doubt that the world is changing due to numerous factors, but climate change is the most notable. Gone are the days when you could say climate change is coming… it’s already here. It is evident from the countless violent weather events causing floods, wildfires, and storms, which cause a wide range of destruction, that climate change is here and very firmly making its presence known. While you can argue over what the cause may be, the fact remains that it is an issue that is increasingly getting worse. Although most folks feel powerless to stop what seems to be an insurmountable problem, the average person has plenty of options, most of which begin at home. This post will explore some ways to make your home more sustainable, adding value to your home and saving money in the long run.
Purchase A Newer, More Efficient Water Heater
A newer, more efficient water heater can be a significant home improvement that will drastically reduce your energy usage while allowing you to keep the creature comforts of warm and hot water. Before making any purchase, shop around for the most efficient model and check its warranty coverage. Make sure you research Energy Star-approved models to get the best value for your money. Some of these models can save serious amounts of energy over older options and, in some cases, reduce your energy usage by up to 20%.
Nevertheless, finding a suitable model can be tricky, especially when you don’t know what to look for. Your first step should be to see what models are rated for your location. For instance, if you are in Alberta, you can look for a water heater buyers guide for Alberta. This works for all regions, but it’s crucial to ensure any reference you use is related to local environmental conditions. For instance, climates with lower temperatures require different levels of insulation from climates with higher temperatures. Also, consider purchasing an insulating jacket that wraps around another wall-mounted tankless water heater or installing a blanket on an older model. Whether you have an electric or gas-powered tank unit, insulation is key in reducing heat loss and improving overall efficiency.
Install Energy Efficient Windows
Investing in new windows has two advantages:
- You will be able to insulate your home more efficiently
- This gives you a chance to update the style of your home
Regarding the former point, modern, high-tech doubled-glazed windows will do wonders for ensuring your house loses as little energy as possible. Moreover, they are beneficial for all kinds of environments, from hot and humid to cold and icy, since they simply work on the principle of insulation. The bottom line is that although it will be a relatively sizeable initial investment, it will save you a considerable sum of money in the long run (something sorely needed given the current economic climate). Regarding the latter point, new windows allow you to update the style of your home into something modern and exciting. Thanks to the enormous range of styles available, you can turn your home from previously dull and uninteresting into a place you are proud to call your own.
Invest In More Efficient Appliances
Although investing in more efficient appliances isn’t wholly related to upgrading your home per se, it can also lead to considerable energy savings in the long run. You might consider a water heater, as mentioned in the initial section, to be an appliance, but this paragraph focuses more on the things you might consider white goods. Fortunately, most countries have regulations stipulating appliance manufacturers to make their energy ratings as clear and prominent as possible. In practice, you will find stickers on everything from washing machines to refrigerators that should give you a good indication as to its energy efficiency standards.
Moreover, you should check not only for how much power they use but also what materials they are constructed with. Many brands now offer dishwashers, washers, dryers, and refrigerators made with fewer and more sustainable resources like recycled plastics and metals. Not only will this reduce your ever-rising energy costs, but it will also help to reduce the amount of (often) waste that inevitably ends up in a landfill.
Purchase A Smart Thermostat
With each passing day, artificial intelligence seems to be taking over the world. Now, it’s even invading our homes! Fortunately, nobody is talking about robots taking you away but instead helping you with your day-to-day chores. A smart thermostat is an easy, relatively inexpensive, and cost-effective purchase to make if you want to understand how you use your energy and, thusly, how to reduce it intelligently.
Smart thermostats basically allow you to remotely control your home’s temperature, helping you save energy and money on heating and cooling costs by always keeping it at the correct temperature. In addition to being cost-effective, smart thermostats are also convenient. You can easily change or set temperatures remotely no matter where you are (often using a smartphone app), ensuring that you only use your heating or central air when you’re there to appreciate it. Plus, with many models offering adaptive learning capabilities and customizable programming options, these devices can automate many aspects of your climate control systems in order to deliver optimal efficiency and comfort. Some things to look for if this type of device sounds appealing include:
- Learning capabilities so that it can adapt to your preferences with minimal input
- App and voice control to make it earlier to activate it remotely and hands-free (as well as being super cool)
- Motion and proximity sensors which help the thermostat understand where you are in the house and turn on or off systems as required
- Design that fits into your existing aesthetic
Upgrade Your Home’s Ventilation System
A congested ventilation system will use more energy and cause a raft of health issues, especially for those who suffer from allergies. Therefore, it might be a good idea to check if it’s time to upgrade your existing system. Newer ventilation systems are designed to recirculate the air in your home while also reducing airflow loss, translating into lower energy costs and improved indoor air quality, which is always a good thing! Just make sure you hire a contractor specializing in this kind of job to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes.
Although different people have different theories regarding the cause of climate change, they tend to miss the point that it is a real thing occurring today. Luckily, you can make a slight difference in the world without sacrificing comfort and convenience by making a few fundamental changes, like switching to newer appliances that use recycled materials and are energy-efficient, all the way to letting machine learning handle the heavy lifting via devices like smart thermostats and intelligent water heaters.
