The trend toward energy-efficient homes and green energy solutions is gaining momentum, but not just because it makes people feel better about their energy use. Eco-friendly homes create a significant savings and don’t take a huge investment to put a big dent in your energy bill. Here are four ways to make your home more energy-efficient in a matter of minutes:
1. Replace Your Light Bulbs
The average American home uses about 12% of energy cost in lighting. Even replacing your five most-used light fixtures with LED or CFL light bulbs can save you $70 per year – and they last 10-25 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs.
2. Seal Your Windows and Doors
Older homes tend to have gaps or leaks in the doors and windows. Any air produced inside your home (hot or cold) gets sucked out through those gaps and thus your system has to struggle to replace that air. By putting weather stripping around doors and windows and sealing unused windows can reduce your heating and cooling bills by as much as 10 percent.
3. Replace Wasteful Shower Heads
Unless you’ve very recently replaced your shower head, it’s likely that it’s wasting a lot of water. The average family uses about 40 gallons of water per day for their showers, so replacing your shower head with a WaterSense-labeled product can save your home 2,900 gallons per year — now that is a great idea!
4. Perform a Home Energy Audit
Whether you hire a professional or perform an energy audit yourself, taking a complete walk through of your home can help identify problems and prioritize future energy saving upgrades. However, hiring a professional can help you determine whether or not your electric furnace or natural gas system is keeping you from energy savings and independence.
Many homeowners have found dramatic relief to their energy costs by upgrading to a Greenwood Frontier Series Indoor Wood Boiler. It’s state-of-the-art design means a highly efficient, near-zero emissions solution to everyday home energy needs. To learn more about Greenwood or to schedule an appointment to see one in action for yourself, use our Installer Locator to get in touch or visit us online.