Energy efficient home design has gained traction among homeowners in recent years. At By Carrier, energy efficiency is one of our top building principles.
What can you do to lower your home’s carbon footprint in 2019?
Insulate Your Home
When you have lived in a home for many years, you can start to experience drafts. If the window sills feel cold to the touch in winter or cool air is escaping your home in summer, your HVAC systems have to work twice as hard to keep you comfortable.
Consider weather stripping or new insulation. Unfortunately if pests have infested your attic, they can chew through and damage your insulation. Replace the material with energy-efficient insulation and keep it well-maintained.
Replace Light Bulbs
LED bulbs are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They produce very little infrared light, UV emissions and no heat. According to the US Department of Energy, homeowners can save $45 a year by upgrading their five most used light bulbs to LEDs.
To further decrease electricity use, always turn the lights off when you leave a room. Some LED bulbs can be controlled from your smartphone through Bluetooth technology, so you can adjust home lighting on the go!
Unplug Appliances
In your kitchen alone, you may have several appliances plugged into the wall – a coffee maker, toaster oven and blender to name a few. These are commonly referred to as “energy vampires” – not always in use but constantly drawing small amounts of energy. Over the year, you could be wasting 10 percent of household energy.
Use Your Dryer Less
According to the World Wildlife Foundation, one dryer load uses five times as much electricity as a washer. In the winter, you can use a rack to dry clothes indoors and in the warmer months, use an old-fashioned clothes line!
Grow a Garden
How many trips to the supermarket do you make each week? Whether you do the shopping or have groceries delivered, driving emits dangerous emissions into the atmosphere. Come springtime, start a fruit and vegetable garden, so all you have to do is walk to the backyard for the foods you cook all the time.
Consider By Carrier Homes
By Carrier builds energy smart communities. Our semi-custom homes have a variety of energy-efficient features, including but not limited to:
- 98+% efficient gas furnaces
- Programmable thermostats
- Heating and cooling zones
- Tankless water heaters
- Low emissivity windows
- ENERGY STAR qualified appliances
If you are interested in reducing your home’s energy consumption, start with the leaders in new home construction. View our Active Communities!