Hello World! Welcome Friends! The US frequently takes the global lead in terms of energy waste. It is often a tight first place with China. According to the Energy Collective Group, the US energy efficiency is 42%. To put it in other terms, it means that the country wastes 58% of the energy it produces. It is fair to say that it’s a common “effort”, including residential, transportation, commercial, and manufacturing actors. However, it turns out that everyone has the power to change things for the better. You may not think that improving your home energy efficiency would make a significant difference. Indeed, both industries and individuals waste up to 66% of the energy generated for electricity.
While you may think that solar panels and other renewable sources of energy are the way forward, there are quicker and more effective changes you can bring to your home. Here are the 7 unexpected household improvements that will cut your energy bills down.
#1. The Front Door
If your home has a cold draft in winter, it is most likely coming from the front door. Indeed, wooden doors tend to slightly change appearance and size with temperature fluctuations. In harsh temperatures, the color fades and appears chalky. The exterior coat acts as a protective shield, preventing the door from excess moisture or sunlight. However, when it gets damaged, the temperature can also affect the material causing swelling in high moisture climates and shrinking when the mercury sinks. A shrinking door means that the cold outdoors air can come through. It may not be visible to the naked eye, but even slight door shrinkage affects how you regulate the temperature inside your home. You may want to consider an entry door replacement to reduce the risk of air infiltration. Indeed, whether cold air in winter or hot air in summer, infiltration increases energy consumption.
#2. The Wall Paint
Dramatic wall paint can completely transform a room. Everybody loves a moody accent wall that elevates your decor. But what if the moody accent wall is working against you? Indeed, dark hues can be a costly stylish choice in your home. North-facing rooms, for instance, are likely to be naturally dark. Using colors that dim the light will have two effects. Firstly, it’s going to make the room appear much darker than it is. Depending on the room, it can translate into switching the light bulb on for longer. Additionally, moody decors can make the space feel colder, as the mind tends to associate the lack of sunlight with a drop in temperature. North-facing rooms or areas with small windows will waste electricity for heating and lighting purposes. You’d be surprised to discover how much difference bright wall paint can make!
#3. The Kitchen Hood
A home-cooked meal is an act of love. Besides, people who tend to cook from scratch are more likely to build a healthy diet. Cooking puts you in charge of your food. You know exactly what you eat and what went into the preparation of the meal. However, while cooking also generates VOC that can clog up your HVAC filters, which in turn means your A/C unit will consume more energy. The hood filter in the kitchen should be the area that captures cooking VOC and grease. Unfortunately, home cooks may not realize that the exhaust fan filters need regular cleaning. If you cook every day, you’ll need to make cleaning part of your fortnightly chores.
#4. The Snacks
How do your snacks affect your electricity consumption? As surprising as it might sound, what you eat will change your energy bills. The human body regulates its own temperature. However, when your glucose levels are high, this essential function is disrupted. In healthy people, excessive consumption of sugary snacks and carbs can cause your body temperature to rise. In other words, a donut and coffee on the go will drive more heat to the body. The body finds it more difficult to regulate its temperature effectively when the glucose levels are elevated. As a result, you might find yourself reaching out to the A/C more often than necessary. Individuals with diabetes are even more vulnerable to heat regulation malfunctions. The solution, however, is simple. Transforming your kitchen style to include more fresh fruit and kitchen herbs will automatically influence your mind toward a healthy diet.
#5. The Cozy Sofa Corner
Sugar is one element that affects your body temperature. Yet, tiredness and stress are more likely to cause dramatic fluctuations at the end of a long day. We’re all familiar with the hectic pace of the office. And sometimes, it’s too much for you to take. So, by the end of the day, you feel exhausted, and your body doesn’t have enough energy to regulate its temperature. While it’s tempting to turn the heating on, you can help your body feel comfortable by packing a few warming options around the house. An elegant throw blanket on the sofa will warm you up while you enjoy your favorite show. A knitted cardigan or a cozy fleece jumpsuit can turn a chilly evening into a cozy night-in.
#6. The Mirrors
A dark corridor or a small bathroom can feel cold simply because it doesn’t receive enough direct sunlight. When adding a window isn’t an option, carefully positioned mirrors can do the trick. They will relay lights into the more distant corners of your home, bathing north-facing rooms with soothing sunlight. This not only maximizes the light but also changes your perception of temperature. The best places to add mirrors will be a long entryway, a lengthy room with not enough windows, a converted closet or basement, and a north-facing area.
#7. The Greenery
Finally, did you know that houseplants could remove toxins from the air? Houseplants can actively help keep your A/C filters cleaner for longer, which means the air condition system doesn’t need to use excess electricity. Of course, greenery doesn’t replace regular maintenance and servicing, but it can avoid quick buildups on your filters.
Are you ready to cut down on energy waste at home? Of course, changing your household habits will make a huge difference. However, if you are going to maintain new habits in the long term, you need to make sure your home is ready for it. You can choose the best energy plan for your budget by comparing electricity providers.
We don’t turn the heating on because we want to waste electricity, but because we seek comfort. As such, make comfort affordable, accessible, and achievable every day with these simple changes.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
6 Ways to Make Your Home Feel Summery
Climate-Controlled Storage Unit
Pre and Post Home Buying Checklist
Different Types of Wardrobe for your Bedroom
The Top Bedroom Trends of 2021
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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