There are a lot of benefits in striving for an energy-efficient home, both for you and for the environment. You can reduce your impact by reducing the power you need and use, as well as lower your utility bills with the same change in habits. To decide what actions you should take in pursuit of this goal, however, you need to understand what actions will have the most impact. Healthy Home 365 is here to help.
Healthy Home 365 is dedicated to creating eco-friendly and energy efficient innovations that truly make a difference, helping you reduce your energy waste without sacrificing your comfort. Just like you, we want our actions to make an impact, and so we have focused on creating energy-saving products that target the biggest draws of power in your home. Continue reading to learn about the culprits, get a few suggestions on what you can change, and call today to make your Dallas/Fort Worth home more energy efficient!
Heating and Cooling Systems
Some estimates say that heating and cooling your home accounts for about 50 percent of your power usage. Newer HVAC systems are made for energy efficiency, and might not have as big of an impact as an old outdated system, but it’s easy to see how combating the outside temperatures for hours at a time would require more power than anything else in your home. Your comfort and safety are important, of course, especially in the sweltering Texas summers, but there are steps you can take to boost the efficiency of your HVAC system and reduce the amount of power you need overall. Check out some of the tips we have shared on our blog, like how to reduce your energy needs during the summer, or use attic insulation to reduce stress on your HVAC system, and look for even more advice in future posts!
Water Heater
On the list of power hungry appliances, your water heater comes in at number three under your heater and AC unit. It’s used a lot, providing hot water for your dishwasher, washing machine, and, of course, those long showers you take after particularly long days. No homeowner should have to sacrifice hot showers in the name of saving energy, but taking shorter showers is one way you can reduce the demand on your water heater, and, therefore, your water heater’s power demand. Healthy Home 365 also created an energy-saving product to help increase your water heater’s energy efficiency — our water heater insulating sleeve, KOOLWrap. Explore our site to learn more about KOOLWrap and keep an eye on our blog for future posts with more recommendations!
Refrigerator
Any appliance that runs 24/7 is going to make up a significant portion of your energy usage, so, of course, your refrigerator makes the list. There are a lot of factors that contribute to how much power your fridge needs, and how much it can do with the power it uses, including the model and age, the temperature settings, your habits, and more. For example, staring into its contents when you can’t decide what to eat is one habit you can bet affects your utility usage. Even the placement of the freezer section makes a difference – bottom freezers are more efficient – and if you have a separate freezer, you can bet that it’s similarly high up on the list of power hungry appliances.
When it comes to improving the energy efficiency and needs of your fridge, turning it off or using it less is certainly not an option. There are ways that you can make improvements. If you have an older fridge, for instance, buying a new model with a high Energy Star rating is almost guaranteed to offer improved energy efficiency.
Other Kitchen Appliances
Your kitchen is one of the most power hungry rooms in your home, with a wide range of appliances that contribute to your utility bills even when they’re not in use. Your microwave, as an example, is always on standby. It never truly powers off so that it’s ready in an instant for when you want to make popcorn or heat up leftovers, which requires low levels of electricity at all times. It also needs power to maintain the digital clock, as does your oven, coffee maker, and anything else with a constantly shining display.
Washing Machine and Dryer
As two of the biggest appliances in your home, it’s probably no surprise that your washing machine and dryer make this list. Both need significant amounts of power to do their jobs. For your washing machine, a lot of the energy it can take responsibility for goes toward heating the water. Washing your clothes in cold water is often just as effective, and help you save on that cost. As for your dryer, it’s one of the less necessary draws on power in your home. Unlike your fridge, you don’t really need your dryer. When you’re not in a hurry, or you simply want to protect your clothes from the heat and wear of tumble drying, air drying is a great option that can save power and money.
Lighting
In this modern age, we don’t rise and sleep with the sun any more. We have plans that start before sunrise and go past sunset, whether those plans are preparing for an early morning run, spending time with family and friends, or simply reading a book in bed. Lighting is necessary for safety, comfort, and practicality, and it’s probably no surprise that the lights throughout your home are a significant draw on power that you should consider when engineering your energy-efficient home.
The electricity used by each light bulb doesn’t cost much, but if you count the lights you have both inside and outside, pennies quickly add up to dollars. Here on the Healthy Home 365 blog, we’ve already discussed two of the easiest ways to reduce those costs: turning off all the lights in a room when you leave it, no matter how quickly you plan to return, and using energy efficient LED bulbs.
Electronics
Did you think we were going to finish this list without mentioning your TV, computer, or gaming console? Not likely. All three of the electronics we just mentioned are common culprits of “vampire power,” which means that they draw electricity even when they are “off.” As we mentioned in our energy-saving tips mythbusters series here on the Healthy Home 365 blog, unplugging them entirely or using an advanced power strip (ASP) can help combat those unnecessary power draws.
An ASP can also help you if you often forget to turn those electronics off. They will certainly continue to add to your utility bill if you leave them in standby mode, and gaming consoles are one type of device that is all too easy to forget about. If you have your console connected to your TV, remember to turn off both the TV and your console, or make use of a smart ASP to do the work for you. If you simply don’t bother to turn off your gaming console when you’re done using it, that should be the easiest problem of energy waste to fix.
Healthy Home 365 is dedicated to helping you create an energy-efficient home. Not only do we offer tips here on our blog on what you can do to reduce your environmental impact and your utility bills, but we have also created energy-saving products that can make a real difference, targeting the processes and appliances we’ve listed here. From space-age attic insulation that can reduce your utility bills by up to 35 percent to thermal insulating paint, Healthy Home 365 is here to make living an energy efficient, eco-friendly life easier. Check out all the products and services we have to offer and call today to bring worthwhile changes to your Dallas/Fort Worth home!
Healthy Home 365 is dedicated to creating eco-friendly and energy efficient innovations that truly make a difference, helping you reduce your energy waste without sacrificing your comfort. Just like you, we want our actions to make an impact, and so we have focused on creating energy-saving products that target the biggest draws of power in your home. Continue reading to learn about the culprits, get a few suggestions on what you can change, and call today to make your Dallas/Fort Worth home more energy efficient!
Heating and Cooling Systems
Some estimates say that heating and cooling your home accounts for about 50 percent of your power usage. Newer HVAC systems are made for energy efficiency, and might not have as big of an impact as an old outdated system, but it’s easy to see how combating the outside temperatures for hours at a time would require more power than anything else in your home. Your comfort and safety are important, of course, especially in the sweltering Texas summers, but there are steps you can take to boost the efficiency of your HVAC system and reduce the amount of power you need overall. Check out some of the tips we have shared on our blog, like how to reduce your energy needs during the summer, or use attic insulation to reduce stress on your HVAC system, and look for even more advice in future posts!
Water Heater
On the list of power hungry appliances, your water heater comes in at number three under your heater and AC unit. It’s used a lot, providing hot water for your dishwasher, washing machine, and, of course, those long showers you take after particularly long days. No homeowner should have to sacrifice hot showers in the name of saving energy, but taking shorter showers is one way you can reduce the demand on your water heater, and, therefore, your water heater’s power demand. Healthy Home 365 also created an energy-saving product to help increase your water heater’s energy efficiency — our water heater insulating sleeve, KOOLWrap. Explore our site to learn more about KOOLWrap and keep an eye on our blog for future posts with more recommendations!
Refrigerator
Any appliance that runs 24/7 is going to make up a significant portion of your energy usage, so, of course, your refrigerator makes the list. There are a lot of factors that contribute to how much power your fridge needs, and how much it can do with the power it uses, including the model and age, the temperature settings, your habits, and more. For example, staring into its contents when you can’t decide what to eat is one habit you can bet affects your utility usage. Even the placement of the freezer section makes a difference – bottom freezers are more efficient – and if you have a separate freezer, you can bet that it’s similarly high up on the list of power hungry appliances.
When it comes to improving the energy efficiency and needs of your fridge, turning it off or using it less is certainly not an option. There are ways that you can make improvements. If you have an older fridge, for instance, buying a new model with a high Energy Star rating is almost guaranteed to offer improved energy efficiency.
Other Kitchen Appliances
Your kitchen is one of the most power hungry rooms in your home, with a wide range of appliances that contribute to your utility bills even when they’re not in use. Your microwave, as an example, is always on standby. It never truly powers off so that it’s ready in an instant for when you want to make popcorn or heat up leftovers, which requires low levels of electricity at all times. It also needs power to maintain the digital clock, as does your oven, coffee maker, and anything else with a constantly shining display.
Washing Machine and Dryer
As two of the biggest appliances in your home, it’s probably no surprise that your washing machine and dryer make this list. Both need significant amounts of power to do their jobs. For your washing machine, a lot of the energy it can take responsibility for goes toward heating the water. Washing your clothes in cold water is often just as effective, and help you save on that cost. As for your dryer, it’s one of the less necessary draws on power in your home. Unlike your fridge, you don’t really need your dryer. When you’re not in a hurry, or you simply want to protect your clothes from the heat and wear of tumble drying, air drying is a great option that can save power and money.
Lighting
In this modern age, we don’t rise and sleep with the sun any more. We have plans that start before sunrise and go past sunset, whether those plans are preparing for an early morning run, spending time with family and friends, or simply reading a book in bed. Lighting is necessary for safety, comfort, and practicality, and it’s probably no surprise that the lights throughout your home are a significant draw on power that you should consider when engineering your energy-efficient home.
The electricity used by each light bulb doesn’t cost much, but if you count the lights you have both inside and outside, pennies quickly add up to dollars. Here on the Healthy Home 365 blog, we’ve already discussed two of the easiest ways to reduce those costs: turning off all the lights in a room when you leave it, no matter how quickly you plan to return, and using energy efficient LED bulbs.
Electronics
Did you think we were going to finish this list without mentioning your TV, computer, or gaming console? Not likely. All three of the electronics we just mentioned are common culprits of “vampire power,” which means that they draw electricity even when they are “off.” As we mentioned in our energy-saving tips mythbusters series here on the Healthy Home 365 blog, unplugging them entirely or using an advanced power strip (ASP) can help combat those unnecessary power draws.
An ASP can also help you if you often forget to turn those electronics off. They will certainly continue to add to your utility bill if you leave them in standby mode, and gaming consoles are one type of device that is all too easy to forget about. If you have your console connected to your TV, remember to turn off both the TV and your console, or make use of a smart ASP to do the work for you. If you simply don’t bother to turn off your gaming console when you’re done using it, that should be the easiest problem of energy waste to fix.
Healthy Home 365 is dedicated to helping you create an energy-efficient home. Not only do we offer tips here on our blog on what you can do to reduce your environmental impact and your utility bills, but we have also created energy-saving products that can make a real difference, targeting the processes and appliances we’ve listed here. From space-age attic insulation that can reduce your utility bills by up to 35 percent to thermal insulating paint, Healthy Home 365 is here to make living an energy efficient, eco-friendly life easier. Check out all the products and services we have to offer and call today to bring worthwhile changes to your Dallas/Fort Worth home!
