Do you ever go outside and think, ‘I like the world better when it’s not under water’? Or perhaps you’re tired of gasping every time you open your electricity bill? An energy efficient home could be for you.
What is an energy efficient home?
An energy efficient home is kind to the environment as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. With energy efficient heating and cooling equipment, your home can help minimise wasted energy usage.
But going green isn’t just doing the right thing for the environment. Saving energy at home can make a real difference to the savings in your bank balance. So where should you start? These tips will help you save on energy costs and keep us all on dry land.
8 energy saving tips.
1. Insulate to heat and cool naturally.
Australia has a tricky climate – we’ve got scorching heat, cyclones, blizzards and everything in between. Decent insulation can regulate the temperature inside your home whatever mood the weather’s in. It
traps the warmth inside when it’s cold, and helps to block it on days that feel like you’re on the surface of the sun.
Glass fibre or cotton batts are the best environmentally friendly option, but installing spray foam insulation can look the part too. Without having to constantly cool and heat your home, you’ll be saving money on those energy bills before you know it!
2. Invest in water-friendly appliances.
Appliance use can account for a whopping
one-third of your energy bills . Luckily, the government’s
E3 program pops helpful star-rating stickers on appliances, so you can easily see which ones produce fewer emissions and run more efficiently.
It’s likely you can find a more environmentally friendly showerhead, hot water system, washing machine, and even toilet. Generally, the cheaper the product, the less energy efficient it is, but an investment now could save you in the long run.
3. Plug draughts and leaks.
Energy escapes through even the smallest spaces – especially in older houses. Gaps around window and door frames, between floorboards and in ceilings will all make your home harder – and more expensive – to heat and cool.
Sealing these issues can be as simple as a bit of Spakfilla, while double-glazed windows will help to maintain a constant temperature and keep out the noise. Even small fixes will make a difference right away.
Plus, spiders can get through gaps, and you’re not going to be energy efficient if you have to burn your house down.
4. Incorporate zoning.
Open-plan living is very on-trend, but it’s the worst for saving on energy costs. Breaking down your large rooms reduces the volume of air that needs to be heated or cooled. If it’s in your budget, use a zoned air-conditioner or appropriately sized wall unit to control the temperature in specific areas.
Creating smaller areas for comfort and environmental friendliness can be kind of nice. Want to read a book quietly? Now you have a space that’s not next to the TV.
It doesn’t need to ruin your aesthetic – panels and folding doors can be hidden in walls when they’re not needed. If refurbishing isn’t an option, choose temporary barriers like curtains, screens or small children holding sheets of cardboard.
5. Throw some shade.
Trees are often overlooked as energy savers, but they’re vital if you want to keep costs down. Some councils even regulate how much private property must have tree cover. Also, guests will occasionally say, ‘What a beautiful tree!’ which will make you feel nice.
Deciduous trees drop their leaves to let the sun through in winter and grow them back to keep you shady all summer, while natives are better for drought conditions, local ecosystems and animal habitats. An arborist can help you choose trees that will give the best coverage, grow to an appropriate size and vibe with the neighbourhood.
If space is an issue, you’ll get a similar effect from blockout blinds, shade sails and awnings. Automated options do the work for you, so you can come home to the perfect climate, no air-con required.
6. Let there be light.
Cast your mind back to year seven science class and you’ll remember that solar panels convert light into power, which can be used for your home appliances. And in Australia, we’ve certainly got oodles of sunlight.
In the ultimate win-win, investing in solar power for your home can help reduce your energy use and shrink your electricity bills at the same time.
7. Get ready to shout ‘Timber!’
When choosing the windows and flooring for your next reno, timber is an environmentally friendly choice to consider. Timber is a very energy efficient building material due to its low thermal conductivity. Yay, science! You can also shop around for composites made from recycled plastic and sawdust.
8. Paint the house pastel.
Pastel colours are more than just a great manicure choice. Lighter colours of paint also impact the heat levels of your home. If you’ve ever worn a black t-shirt on a stinking hot day, you will understand this phenomenon. Whilst you don’t have to go Barbie dream-home pink, a clean polar white will do the trick just fine.
Creating an energy efficient house design is an investment in the future. Changes like these are doable for most budgets, with options available to suit your specific needs. The upfront costs will be offset by reduced costs over time; you can feel good about leaving a smaller footprint on the environment.
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This article is prepared based on general information. It does not take into account individual financial objectives or needs and is not financial product advice.