With energy efficiency being primary for all types of buildings, every effort made to reduce airflow on your home is worthy and makes economic sense. Home insulation, for example, can reduce your energy bills by up to 45%, and other benefits are there to be enjoyed for decades to come. Additional “save on energy practices” like the usage of energy-efficient gadgets and draft-proofing your home can further lower your monthly utility bills and serve as a stepping stone to the well-being of residents.
By doing these, we are not only saving money on energy bills but the environment as well. The daily increasing use of energy has a high impact on climate change and we can all do our part by following these tips. In this article, we will take a look at some tips on energy saving, to somewhat help Ontarian homeowners create a better understanding of energy efficiency and hopefully make them take action today.
Home Insulation
Home insulation is the gold standard of energy efficiency. As aforementioned, you can expect to save up to 45% on energy bills when insulation is added to your building. There are several insulation methods and each creates an effective air barrier that prevents heat flow. When insulation is added to your building walls, attic, basement, it can seal all gaps and cracks, making this way a more comfortable living, working, or storage space that also necessitates less energy for heating and cooling.
And insulation also serves as a sound barrier, insect and rodent repellent, fire retardant, and it can increase your property value by a whopping 3 up to 6%. What to know more about insulation? Well, keep in mind that different insulation methods deliver different R-Values. In short, R-Value is the standard that measures the performance of insulation material. The higher it is, the lower your energy bills will be.
With that said, spray foam can lower your electricity bills by up to 45% which is quite impressive when compared with fiberglass insulation (25%) and cellulose insulation (25 up to 30%). What you will also need to know is how to hire an insulation contractor. See, the installation process is key to enjoying the benefits of insulation for decades to come and if it is not completed successfully, you will more likely lose money rather than save. Before hiring a Toronto moving company and relocating, make sure to check if the new house has the insulation installed or not.
Energy Efficient Gadgets
Although energy-efficient gadgets are more expensive in the beginning and for some might also be cost-depriving, you can expect the initial investment to pay off with the passing of years by saving on energy. Understandably, energy-efficient gadgets use less energy for the same tasks without compromising the quality. Since heating and cooling “is to blame” for 60% of your electricity usage, a smart/programmable thermostat is where you can start.
You can further increase your energy preservation efforts by switching to LED light bulbs and using low-flow showerheads (more about them below). Other energy-efficient gadgets we recommend using are modern boilers (can avoid heat loss that escapes up the flue) and solar panels. You can significantly save on energy with the latter, but the installation and maintenance cost can be too much for the average homeowner. And to further guarantee the functionality of your home insulation, you can choose to install new and energy-efficient doors and windows.
Easy Practices to Save on Energy at Home
Use energy-efficient light bulbs
Switching your conventional light bulbs to LEDs can lower your monthly energy bills significantly and that can be an advantage in the long run. The old traditional incandescent light bulbs need anywhere from 25-80% more electricity than light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs), Halogen incandescent bulbs, and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Although energy-saving light bulbs are more expensive, their longer lifespan and energy conservation will pay off.
Use natural light more
Use natural sunlight as much as you can. One south-facing window, for example, can illuminate anywhere from 20 up to 100 times its area. And during this time of the day, turning off one 60-watt bulb for 4 hours can save you up to $8 over a year.
Take shorter showers
Hot water is expensive. If a family of two would cut their shower time by 1 minute, they could save up to $40 a year on electricity. Switching to low-flow showerheads can also lower water consumption and eventually decrease water bills significantly.
Maintain your AC unit
For your air conditioner to run smoothly and efficiently, it needs to be maintained continuously. What you can do is swap out the old air filters with new ones every at least 90 days. You can also decrease its energy consumption significantly by removing anything that might be blocking the vents.
Turn off not in use electronics, appliances
Turn your appliances off standby mode and you can save up to $50 a year. Rest assured as many electronic devices (TVs, printers, computers, fax machines) can be plugged off without compromising their functionality.
Fix any leaky plumbing fitting
Leaky faucets can waste up to 11.000 liters of water each year. Fixing them can save you up to $40 a year.
Turn off the AC on your way out
That’s a no-brainer! Turning off your air conditioner when not needed can save on energy bills. In addition, a programmable thermostat can further help you lower energy use for heating and cooling.
Draft-proof your house
Last but not least, take a survey on your house perimeter and check for any drafts. You can apply weatherstrips for your doors and windows, re-caulk where necessary, and install new door sweeps.
Why Choose Eco Spray?
Eco Spray Insulation team is proud to be operating in the Greater Toronto Area and the suburban communities since 2008. Throughout the years, we have established ourselves as experts in energy-efficient building practices like insulation systems are. Whether be a small maintenance issue or a basement to attic project, our team of professionals serves every customer with the highest standard of workmanship. Contact us to receive a free estimate.
