1 Easy Energy Efficiency Tips

There are lots of things you can do around the home to save energy and be more green and efficient. Rising energy prices, climate change, and ecological damage are just three reasons why we should all do our best to be more environmentally conscious, help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and save more energy, and the associated cost savings are a welcome bonus.

 

Heat Insulation in the Home

The majority of energy used in the home is used for heating and cooling systems, and people often fail to realize just how inefficient they are being with these systems.

Insulation is important to keep heat in during the winter months and to keep heat out during the summer months. Most unwanted heat transfer happens through the roof so this is the area you should focus on. There are many different types of insulation product available, including fiberglass and polyester. 

The R-value is a measurement of how insulating a piece of material is, and this is what you should use to compare between different products. The cooler and more temperate the climate you live in, the higher R-value you will need. In general you want a higher R-value for the roof than for the walls. In humid climates you need to be careful not to have a R-value that is too high, as this may cause overheating with homes that are exposed to the sun.

It is a good idea to close-off and turn off the heating in rooms that are not in use, and to check for all sources of draughts (such as vents and ducts) to ensure they are sealed effectively. This is especially important in dryer climates – always know your climate!

How Low Can You Go?

When the cold sets in, many people instinctively turn up the thermostat. But you can save significant amounts of money and energy just by turning the heating down by a single degree. Better yet, you can always turn down the thermostat in stages and see if you are comfortable with the temperature. If you get to a point where it is too cold, at least you know the most energy efficient temperature for the current weather. In smaller rooms you can often get away with having the heating turned off completely by using extra blankets for the beds.

Washing, Cooking and Cleaning

Use the lowest temperature setting on your clothes washer (or as low as you can possibly have it). Any good clothes washer will have low temperature options, and as long as the clothes you put in are not heavily soiled and do not have stains you will still gain excellent cleaning performance. To help improve the cleaning performance of your washer at low temperatures, buy detergents that work well in low temperatures.

Clothes dryers use a lot of energy, so dry your clothes outside on the line whenever possible or use clothes stands next to a window. For both washers and dryers, wait until you have a full load of clothing before you use them.

In the kitchen, the oven uses the most energy out of any cooking appliance. Reduce your reliance on your oven and switch to the microwave or the frying pan. When boiling water, you should only ever boil the amount you need. It is more efficient to boil water with a kettle than with a stove.

3 How To Be Frugal?

Being frugal is not always easy in today’s busy world. You want to be frugal and you mean to save money but somehow you never quite get there. If this describes you and you really want to be more frugal, you need to start following a few simple rules.

Set Something Aside for Emergencies If you want to truly be frugal, you have to plan for the unexpected. You should include a set amount in your budget each pay period to handle emergency car repairs, trips to the doctor, home maintenance and the like. This money should always go into your savings account and not be touched until it is needed. Otherwise, it will be all too easy to reach for the credit card or take out a payday loan when your car needs a new tire today and you do not get paid until next week.

No Impulse Buys We have all been there. We see something at the store we just have to have, bring it home and then a week later we wonder why we bought it. To stop this from happening, make a rule against impulse buying. If you want something, wait at least a week to purchase it. This will help you determine if you really want it and if you can get a better deal elsewhere.

Play Money
Set aside a small amount of money you can use each period for play money. This is money you can spend however you want, no questions asked and no guilt involved. To really make this work, you need to get your play money in cash or else it will be very tempting to go “just a little bit over just this once” and end up wrecking your budget.

Cut Out the Small Expenses
Frugality is not just about controlling the major expenses; it is also about watching the smaller ones. This means limiting small expenses, such as the daily cup of coffee or the routine stop at the gas station for soda and candy bars. If you want to be frugal, you do have to sweat the small stuff.

Stick to Your Budget
The cardinal rule of frugality is if you do not have it, do not spend it. You should make certain all of your bills are paid and you are meeting your savings goals before spending any other money. If a purchase is going to jeopardize your financial security, do not do it.

Remember Your Goals
There is a reason you want to be frugal. Maybe you are trying to buy a new house or car, maybe you are trying to save for a trip around the world, or maybe you are trying to save to have a baby. The reason does not matter; what matters is that, when confronted by the double venti cappuccino or shiny new electronic toy that you want very badly, you remember that you want to reach your goals even more and take a pass on the purchase.
It may not always be easy to be frugal in today's world, but you can do it if you follow the few simple rules outlined above.

About the Author:

Sally writes on behalf of a number of successful businesses in the South West including DrummondLLP.co.uk a bookkeeper in Plymouth, Drummond LLP strive to deliver excellence and their service extends to the South West region. If you need a bookkeeperin Devon or Cornwall – Trust Drummond LLP to take care of all of your accountancy needs.