5 Ways Your Home is Losing Energy, and What to Do
Are you trying to save money on living costs?
One of the first things you should take a look at is your energy. There are so many ways that you home could be losing energy that you wouldn't even know about. Here are 5 places you could be losing energy and ways to start cutting your costs.
1. Air Leaks through Walls
Air leaks account for the majority of unintended energy loss in homes. The main culprit is generally loss through walls and gaps around doors and windows. If you are losing heat through your walls, consider insulating them. Cavity walls, which most homes after the 1930s are, can have insulating material put in between them fairly easily.
If your home has solid walls, it will be a little more difficult, but it can still be done. In this case, you can choose whether to insulate the walls internally or externally. Most windows do not lose heat to the extent that you would think, but it is still important in the overall picture.
2. Non insulated Roofs
Did you know that non insulated roofs can account for around 25% of heat and energy loss. You can use loft insulation to correct this problem. How you insulate the roof depends on whether you are trying to keep it warm or cool inside your home. This is something you can do on your own or hire a professional for.
3. Leaving Windows and Doors Open
You may have heard your parents say, “Stop heating the neighborhood” whenever you left the door open too long while growing up. You may have found this annoying, but is there any truth in it? It turns out that open doors do cause home energy loss, and this is because of the air rushing in, which then has to be adjusted by your heating or cooling system. Try only opening the windows and doors when it is necessary.
4. Keeping Your Home Too Warm
Are you guilty of wanting a home that is toasty warm? Leaving your heat too high is a big culprit when it comes to energy loss.
When you are going to sleep, try lowering the temperature and simply putting on a warm pair of pajamas and snuggling under a large quilt. The eight hours or so that your home is cooler while you sleep accounts for one third of the total time in a day, and will save you plenty on your heating bill. And if you work during the day, is there really any reason to keep your home at a perfect temperature during that time? Investing in a programmable thermostat can help you regulate the temperature of your home throughout the day.
5. Relying on Air Conditioning
Many people swear by their home air conditioning. It is true that air conditioning is a delightful luxury, and in certain parts of the country it may even be considered a necessity. Try taking a break from it every once in a while, though, and use other means to cool yourself down. Use window coverings to prevent your home from heating up unnecessarily, stay hydrated, or mist yourself with water to cool down when necessary.
There are many ways that your home can lose energy. You can keep the costs down by following these 5 simple tips. With a little time and effort, you too can cut down your energy bills and make big savings while also protecting the planet.
For more green living tips follow me on Facebook & Instagram and be sure to subscribe to my Website for your FREE Green Living Planner.
One of the first things you should take a look at is your energy. There are so many ways that you home could be losing energy that you wouldn't even know about. Here are 5 places you could be losing energy and ways to start cutting your costs.
1. Air Leaks through Walls
Air leaks account for the majority of unintended energy loss in homes. The main culprit is generally loss through walls and gaps around doors and windows. If you are losing heat through your walls, consider insulating them. Cavity walls, which most homes after the 1930s are, can have insulating material put in between them fairly easily.
If your home has solid walls, it will be a little more difficult, but it can still be done. In this case, you can choose whether to insulate the walls internally or externally. Most windows do not lose heat to the extent that you would think, but it is still important in the overall picture.
2. Non insulated Roofs
Did you know that non insulated roofs can account for around 25% of heat and energy loss. You can use loft insulation to correct this problem. How you insulate the roof depends on whether you are trying to keep it warm or cool inside your home. This is something you can do on your own or hire a professional for.
3. Leaving Windows and Doors Open
You may have heard your parents say, “Stop heating the neighborhood” whenever you left the door open too long while growing up. You may have found this annoying, but is there any truth in it? It turns out that open doors do cause home energy loss, and this is because of the air rushing in, which then has to be adjusted by your heating or cooling system. Try only opening the windows and doors when it is necessary.
4. Keeping Your Home Too Warm
Are you guilty of wanting a home that is toasty warm? Leaving your heat too high is a big culprit when it comes to energy loss.
When you are going to sleep, try lowering the temperature and simply putting on a warm pair of pajamas and snuggling under a large quilt. The eight hours or so that your home is cooler while you sleep accounts for one third of the total time in a day, and will save you plenty on your heating bill. And if you work during the day, is there really any reason to keep your home at a perfect temperature during that time? Investing in a programmable thermostat can help you regulate the temperature of your home throughout the day.
5. Relying on Air Conditioning
Many people swear by their home air conditioning. It is true that air conditioning is a delightful luxury, and in certain parts of the country it may even be considered a necessity. Try taking a break from it every once in a while, though, and use other means to cool yourself down. Use window coverings to prevent your home from heating up unnecessarily, stay hydrated, or mist yourself with water to cool down when necessary.
There are many ways that your home can lose energy. You can keep the costs down by following these 5 simple tips. With a little time and effort, you too can cut down your energy bills and make big savings while also protecting the planet.
For more green living tips follow me on Facebook & Instagram and be sure to subscribe to my Website for your FREE Green Living Planner.
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