Certain living areas make energy efficiency more difficult to achieve than others. For example, if you live in a suburb surrounded by tall trees, cooling the house down is achieved simply by closing the doors and shutting the blinds. Living in more arid surroundings without proper ventilation, on the other hand, might prove more challenging when faced with a scorching sun. But while the level of difficulty in such a task is completely relative, there are numerous ways you can make any home eco-friendly, regardless of location. Here are just three of them.
Insulation
Insulation is one of the most energy efficient ways to keep the cold or warm air from entering your home. Contact a professional service provider like Roofmasters to insulate your roof, windows and walls so that you don’t waste precious energy by using the air conditioner all the time—nowadays, this is perhaps the easiest way to be a foe of the environment. Alternative means of air conditioning are, of course, installing a ceiling fan or a whirlybird, and during the winter, you can always rug up in front of a warm fire. But there is an easier way to save energy, if you’ll believe it. Simply put more layers on when it’s cold, and less layers when it’s hot. In other words, dress appropriately. For the most part, that’s all it takes!
Energy rating
Known by its founders as the Energy Star, the Energy Rating label was established over two decades ago to set the global standard for energy efficient products. You may have noticed it stamped on house appliances such as the fridge or washing machine, signifying that they are eco-friendly. Have a good read of the information this label provides before buying anything less than efficient—in Australia, a product that has an Energy Rating of six to ten stars is considered a resourceful means of energy use.
Don’t be careless
Some good old-fashioned common sense will get you along way, particularly in a world that uses energy excessively and without a lot of thought. Bare in mind that if you use it enough, it will eventually run out, so cut back a little and see what happens. Don’t have more than one shower a day, turn the lights off when you’re not using them, and don’t charge your phone unless it absolutely needs to be charged. In other words, don’t use energy unless you absolutely have to. Ask yourself, what can you live without? You’ll find that the answer is: most things. Instead of an electric blanket, sleep with two blankets. Instead of reading with the light on until 2am, buy a reading torch. Instead of relying on the air-con to cool down your house, close the curtains. Be self-sufficient, and your house will, in turn, be energy-efficient.
One of the great upsides of reducing your energy use is that you are also reducing the amount of money you spend on a day-to-day basis. So not only will your home be friendly to the environment; it will be friendly to your bank account. Consider the above tips, and you’ll be getting a lot more out of life for a lot less.