Five Ways to Make Your Home More Sustainable During the Fall and Winter
Can you believe it’s that time of year already? Summer has gone, Fall is here, and now it’s time to prepare for Winter, especially when it comes to your home. It’s not uncommon to hear people talk about high energy bills in the colder months, but what if we could provide some tips to save energy that are good for the environment and your wallet? Here are five ways you can save energy and money this winter when it comes to your home:
Turn the thermostat down
You don’t have to turn it down so low that you’re walking around your house wrapped up in several blankets just to save some energy but when you leave the house or go to bed at night, turning your thermostat down helps tremendously. According to the Department of Energy, by doing this you can save up to ten percent on your energy bill.
Check your windows and doors
At times, weatherproofing on doors and seals on windows can break or leak. When this happens, it allows for cold air to come in. Which can explain why a certain room in your house never stays warm. Before it gets colder, make sure to check your doors and windows for drafts, breakage, or leaks in case they need to be repaired. If so, we found two helpful articles on how to fix them easily and properly yourself:
Allow the sun into your home
Something as simple as opening the blinds and curtains to allow the heat from the sun to come in can help tremendously, and it’s free!
Adding eco-friendly insulation
According to Just Energy, increasing the amount of insulation in your attic will help to maintain the heat throughout your home. Adding additional insulation will work to maintain the heat inside your home, ensuring that it stays at the temperature you desire.
There are various kinds of eco-friendly materials you can use such as; Sheep’s Wool, Cotton, Denim, Icynene, Polystyrene, Aerogel, ThermaCork, and Cellulose.
Use energy-efficient lighting for the holidays
LED lights are a fantastic way to decorate for the holidays and save energy. Many manufacturers that you see at your local stores will be Energy STAR certified meaning, they use 75% less energy than traditional string lights. LED lights are proven to be more durable than other brands as well, ensuring that they last longer.
There are lots of resources with additional information on how to keep your home sustainable during the colder months, but we wanted to share our top five with you that are quick and easy to accomplish at little to no cost. Hopefully, our five tips can be helpful and provide you with a warm home this winter!