# How to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/how-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient/
- Published: 2022-04-08T14:53:21-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Thinking about how to make your home more energy-efficient can be daunting. There
are plenty of reasons you might want to make your home more energy-efficient. Where
do you start? Will the effort be worth it? Will your efforts pay off in the long
run? Answering these questions is necessary if you want to follow through with making
your home more [energy-efficient](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/10/proposed-repeal-clean-power-plan-shortchanges-the-benefits-energy-efficiency/).
You could [save the environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/07/save-on-electricity-and-help-environment-too/)
and money too! This article will show you how to make your home [greener](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/07/home-renovations-to-accommodate-greener-living/),
even if you’re not an engineer yourself.

![Energy home save planet solar](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2022/04/How-to-Make-Your-Home-More-Energy-Efficient.jpg?resize=420%2C315&
quality=52&ssl=1)

## **Automate Usage**

You can save [energy in your home](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/01/smart-home-energy-devices-and-your-energy-bills/)
without making any significant changes. One way to do this is by automating your
usage. Many appliances and electronic devices now come with “[smart](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/06/department-of-defense-study-finds-new-aerosol-air-sealing-method-highly-effective-for-building-renovation/)”
features that you can control remotely or on a schedule. You can also operate them
more [efficiently and avoid wasting energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/04/ge-acquires-albeo-led-for-energy-efficiency/)
when they’re not needed.

Some examples of automated devices include:

#### **Programmable Thermostats**

These devices can be set to lower the temperature at night or when you’re away from
home and raise it again just before you return or wake up.

#### **Smart lights**

You can purchase light bulbs that connect to your Wi-Fi network and can be controlled
with your smartphone. Such bulbs use less energy than traditional bulbs, and you
can also set them on timers or create “scenes” that turn multiple lights on or off
at once.

#### **Smart appliances**

Many newer appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines, come 
with smart features to control them remotely or on a schedule. If your devices don’t
have built-in innovative features, there are still ways to automate their usage.
For example, you can use power strips that can turn on and off with a remote control
or timer. You can also purchase adapters that do the same thing with individual 
outlets.

## **Educate Your Family and Housemates**

Another way to make your [home more energy efficient](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/04/home-energy-efficiency-participation-uk-wants-more/)
is to educate your family and housemates about conserving energy. It’s imperative
if you have kids who may not know how their [actions can impact the environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/12/david-cameron-vows-tough-green-action/).
There are a few things you can do to help them understand:

#### **Lead by example**

Show them how easy it is to save energy in everyday [life](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/12/how-being-eco-friendly-can-change-your-life-2/).
For example, turn off lights when you leave a room, unplug devices when they’re 
not in use, take shorter showers, etc.

#### **Explain why it’s essential**

Help them understand that [conserving energy helps the environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/02/10-simple-ways-to-make-your-home-green-2/)
and saves money on your utility bills.

#### **Make it fun**

Find [ways to make saving](https://greenlivingguy.com/2006/04/vanity-fair-green-issue-gives-fifty-ways-to-save-the-planet/)
energy into a game or challenge. For example, see who can take the shortest shower
or turn off the most lights around the house.

#### **Incentivize energy-efficient savings**

Offer rewards for conserving energy, such as extra screen time, allowance, or privileges.

## **Install Solar Panels**

One of the best ways to make your home more [energy-efficient](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/04/solar-panels-increase-home-value/)
is to install solar panels. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, used
to power your home. They’re a [clean](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/7-ideas-for-keeping-an-industrial-space-green-and-clean/)
and renewable energy source, and they can save you money on your electric bills.

Solar panels are a significant investment, but there are many ways to finance them.
You can often get solar panel installation rebates from your state or local government.
[Energy brokers ](https://consumerenergysolutions.com/)can also help you find solar
panel financing options.

## **Regularly Check and Repair Faulty AC and Heating Systems**

Another way to make your home more [energy efficient](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/11/new-england-heat-pumps-a-collaborative-climate-effort/)
is to check and repair any faulty ACs or heating systems regularly. It will help
ensure that they’re operating at peak [efficiency and that any energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/green-energy-hospital-a-guide-to-efficiency/)
they use is not being wasted.

You can do this yourself by checking the filters and coils and cleaning or replacing
them. You should also have a professional inspect your AC unit at least once a year.
It will help identify any more significant issues that need to be fixed.

Making your home more energy-efficient doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
You can make many small but significant changes that will add to your [savings](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/02/4-reasons-to-profit-from-solar-in-2021/).
[Solar panels](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/tips-and-advice-for-installing-solar-panels/)
are an excellent long-term investment, but even simple things like using power strips
and programmable thermostats can make a difference. Education is also crucial – 
if everyone in your household is aware of how their actions impact energy consumption,
you can make even more progress. So, start today and see how much you can save!

_**Author bio****:** Maggie Bloom graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree
in communication and writing. In her spare time, she loves to dance, read, and bake.
She also enjoys traveling and scouting out new brunch locations. If you are into
video editing and you are looking into [how to remove audio from video](https://invideo.io/tools/remove-audio-from-video),
Maggie recommends Invideo._

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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