Did you know that by making a few small changes in your home, you can reduce your energy consumption and save money?
It can be as simple as updating your lightbulbs, using rechargeable batteries, or installing energy-efficient appliances.
And the benefits go far beyond helping the environment (which is definitely a worthy goal all on its own)!
Sounds like a no-brainer, right?
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 8 ways that technology can help you green your home:
Green Tip #1: Instal Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Did you know that energy-efficient light bulbs use up to 90% less energy than standard light bulbs?
According to Energy Star, they work by generating 70-90% less heat than your standard bulb, which ultimately allows them to use less energy.
The great thing about these lightbulbs is that they’re such an easy win! And they can save you over $30-80 over the lifetime of each light.
Finding the right bulb for each room can be a bit tricky – the last thing you want is an ultra-bright bulb in your reading lamp. So to make things easier, the experts at Consumer Reports created a guide to buying the best energy-efficient light bulb based on each room on the house.
Green Tip #2: Upgrade Your Appliances
When upgrading your dated appliances to energy-efficient models, the rule of thumb goes like this: the bigger the appliance, the bigger the savings.
So if you’re looking to make an impact on your energy usage, start with upgrading your washer/dryer, stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator.
When shopping for new appliances keep your eye out for the Energy Star stamp of approval. It’s a trusted, government-backed symbol that ensures the product is energy efficient and will help consumers save money and protect the environment.
Any appliances with the Energy Star certification ensures that the product will consume less energy than anything run-of-the-mill.
The great thing about the products on the market today is that they use smart technology to make the product more efficient. For example, LG has created a smart washer/dryer combo that uses Wi-FI capabilities that saves a ton of energy. It can also be connected to your smartphone to diagnose any problems with your washer.
If you’re ever worried about water damage from a home appliance, we recommend installing a Notion sensor next to the device, whether it’s a washer, water heater, or something else. This way, you’ll be notified when it detects any water leakage.
Green Tip #3: Lower Your Thermostat
This one is easy!
Rather than heating to your home to a tropical temperature, turn down your thermostat, and if you’re chilly, wear a sweater!
Reducing the temperature of your heating system by a few degrees can save you energy and the money you spend on heating.
And with summer approaching, this also goes for your AC as well! During the summer months, it may seem like a no brainer to crank up the AC to stay cool, but this uses a ton of energy, and can be very costly!
If possible, rather than using the AC, try opening some windows and let a nice breeze cool down your home. The environment and your utility bill will thank you!
And if you want to be extra diligent about monitoring your temperature, we recommend installing a Notion sensor to monitor the temperature for you and alter you if it goes high or low.
This way, if you're away on vacation or out of the home, you can control your house’s temperature accordingly.
Green Tip #4: Use Rechargeable Batteries
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over three billion batteries end up in the landfill in the United States.
This is problematic because batteries can leak harmful chemicals into the soil and these chemicals can eventually make their way into water sources.
The good news is that there’s an easy solution to minimize the number of batteries we use – by switching to rechargeable batteries!
Using rechargeable batteries of one of those things that seem like a no-brainer! For one, they’re better for the environment. But they also cost less to replace and are always ready when you need them.
Sanyo’s Eneloop batteries are considered to be the best rechargeable battery on the market.
Green Tip #5: Save With Hot and Cool Fans
A great way to save on your electricity and hydro bills is to use a household fan. And if you’re looking to go even greener, consider switching to an energy-efficient fan!
One of the best energy-efficient fans on the market is the Dyson Hot + Cool fan heater.
The great thing about this particular product is that it adjusts itself based on the temperature of the fan, so you don’t need to worry about programming it.
Of course, there are plenty of other great energy-efficient fans on the market that are bound to lower your energy bill! According to Energy Star, energy-efficient fans use on average 60% less energy than conventional fans.
That’s a huge amount of energy savings!
Green Tip #6: Collect Rainwater
With gardening season right around the corner, it’s important to be aware of how much water you’re using and to minimize your consumption as much as possible.
A great way to save water is to install a rain barrel or two to collect rainwater – they’re sold at most hardware stores.
Rain barrels are a great way to catch the water from your gutter’s downspout and are completely safe to use for gardening.
And in case you didn't know, gardens need a lot of water! So this is a great way to save on your water bill while doing the environment a little service.
Green Tip #7: Save Water With Dual Flush Toilets
Did you know that toilets use more water than any other fixture in your home? Or that older toilets use a lot more water than newer ones?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if your toilet is more than 15 years old, it could be using almost 27% of the water in your home!
Upgrading your older toilet to a newer model (like a dual flush toilet) can help you reduce your home water consumption and save a ton of money on your water bills.
When installing your new toilet, make sure that a certified plumber double checks that everything is hooked up properly. The last thing you’d want was to waste any water from a leak.
But to give you extra peace of mind, we recommend installing a Notion sensor next to your toilet so that in the case of an accident, you’ll be notified immediately.
That’s a wrap! Thanks for reading! We hope that you learned a few tips on how to green your home!
