If the mantra for losing weight is ‘eat less, move more’ than the one for energy saving should be ‘use less, save more’! One of the main benefits of following green practices within the home is the fact that it helps you to reduce your monthly outgoings as well as helping the environment. With this in mind, we’ve put together some top gadgets and technological changes you can make in the home to save you cash as well as energy.

1) Products that help you monitor and cap the energy used by the existing appliances in your home are inexpensive and can help you make changes instantly. Look out for gadgets like this one that monitor the energy being used by items such as your fridge, washing machine and TV as these will prompt you to be more economical with use and help to remind you to turn off appliances you aren’t using. In much the same way, timers will help to ensure you don’t waste energy by forgetting to turn off appliances or keeping them on standby.

2) Keeping heat within your home will help keep energy costs down and make sure you stay cosy and warm in winter. You can help trap heat with your soft furnishings choices – choosing carpets and lined curtains or thermal window blinds. You can also use gadgets such as draft excluders and ecoflaps for letterboxes to plug gaps that could let heat escape.

3) You may want to consider making some changes to your home – albeit some minor ones. By installing your own solar panels you can help reduce your home’s carbon footprint and lower your energy bills to boot. You should also investigate properly insulating your home to increase efficiency. Don’t forget to inform your insurer if you are making changes in the home though, many insurers are like Castle Cover home insurance in the UK and will require you to tell them of changes as part of your agreement.

4) Upgrading your appliances and heating system may be a short term financial pain, but it could lead to serious financial gain. Look out for energy saving boilers, washing machines, air conditions, dryers and fridges that can substantially reduce your energy costs. According to official figures, heating and cooling accounts for 56 per cent of the energy used in the typical US home, so increasing your appliance efficiency can go a long way towards making your home greener.

Turning your home green does not mean grabbing a can of paint and changing the color. If you are truly interested in protecting the environment, turning green will help you to reduce your carbon footprint. Here is a list of fairly easy ways that you can contribute to the going green effort and turn your home into a more energy efficient place to live.

1. Check your appliances to ensure that they are Energy Star listed. If not, consider trading them in for appliances that are. Energy efficient appliances like stoves, refrigerators, washer and dryers are easily found in most stores today. They may be a bit more expensive to purchase but the energy savings you will enjoy more than makes up for the added cost.
2. Check your insulation. If your home is not properly insulated then you are losing heat and cooling air. This will cause your energy costs to increase and makes your home a bit less than comfortable during very cold or very hot days. Installing insulated windows and sealing cracks around your door frames will go a long way in helping you to turn your home green.
3. Speaking of windows, ensure that yours allow enough natural light into your home. Having windows that give you natural light provides you with the ability to keep your lights off during the day. Skylights are an excellent way to conserve energy as they provide you with adequate indoor lighting from the sun. Windows will also improve the aesthetics of your home and cause smaller rooms to appear larger.
4. Think about water conservation. This is an overlooked area in most homes that are going green. Low flow toilets and appliances will cut down on the water that you use. Check washing machines and dishwashers to ensure that they are water efficient. Again, these appliances may cost a bit more to purchase but will considerably lower your water usage, saving you money in the long run.
5. Check your roof. You do not have to install solar panels in your roof to make it energy efficient. A cool roof will help to reflect light as opposed to absorbing it and keep your home cooler during the summer months. Planted roofs are also a good idea as they enable you to grow a garden when you have no yard space available and also provide an added layer of protection from the elements.

This article was written by Enerfina, an independent market intermediary in the renewable energy sector. For more information on how we can help you to turn your home green, click here.