The world we live in is rapidly becoming increasingly aware of the impact of our daily activities on the environment. Each day, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and make our planet a better, healthier place.
When it comes to the strategies for achieving that goal, improving the energy efficiency of your Fort Collins home is at the very top. In doing so you’re not only helping the environment but, also, significantly boosting your home budget!
In this article, we’ll go over 4 simple and affordable ways to up the eco-friendliness of your home, whereas in the next one, we’ll focus on more expensive and much more effective upgrades that give substantial long-term gains.
Energy-efficient lighting
By far the easiest and most budget-friendly way to reduce your carbon footprint is to switch to energy-efficient lighting. LED light bulbs are the best option in this regard. Not only do they use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs but they also last up to 25 times longer.
This means that you’ll have to replace them far less often, thus reducing the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill. Plus, LED lights emit less heat than their standard counterparts, so you won’t have to run your air conditioning as much during the warm summer evenings.
Programmable thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy consumption. This small (and quite cheap!) upgrade allows you to set the temperature of your home according to your schedule, ensuring that you’re not wasting energy when you’re away.
For example, you can program the thermostat to lower the temperature at night, when you’re at work, or away for your daily hike at Riverband Ponds. The best thing is that this upgrade alone can help you save up to 10% on your energy bills. Not too shabby!
Low-Flow Showerheads
The last ones in the line of super-cheap, yet excellent upgrades are low-flow showerheads and for two reasons:
- Up to 50% reduction in water consumption. Low-flow showerheads are designed to use less than 2.5 gallons per minute. Compared to the traditional showerheads that can use up to 5 gallons per minute, that is a significant improvement.
- Improved efficacy of your water heater. Since you’ll be using much less hot water, your water heater won’t have to work as hard, which directly translates into lower energy consumption.
In other words, low-flow showerheads deliver the best of both worlds in a single package and at a cost that is next to negligible. Definitely a must-have!
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a bit more expensive, but still affordable and effective upgrades that allow you to improve the air circulation in your home and reduce your reliance on heating and cooling systems:
- During hot summer months, ceiling fans can create a cool breeze that will keep you cozy without the need to crank up the cooling to 11;
- During the winter, you can reverse the direction of the blades to push warm air down from the ceiling, which can reduce the need for heating.
In addition to their energy-saving benefits, ceiling fans can also add to the aesthetics of every room, which is only a big plus.
Which company can help me improve the energy efficiency of my home in Fort Collins?
Handyman Connection of Fort Collins is your go-to choice, whether you want to upgrade your home to reap those juicy benefits of lowered utility bills, or simply wish to avoid common mistakes that reduce its energy efficacy.
Our team of experienced professionals can help you identify critical areas of your home and provide you with cost-effective solutions to help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Get in touch with us today and let us take your property to the next level of eco-friendliness and profitability.