According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average American home uses 10,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year. Around 31% of that energy is attributed to heating and cooling, while roughly 23% is due to using utilities like lighting, cooking, and refrigeration.
According to EIA calculations, a typical American home generates around 9030 pounds — or 4.5 tonnes — of carbon emissions every year. This statistic is deeply worrying if you’re a climate-conscious homeowner and want to reduce your emissions.
Fortunately, you can reduce your emissions and cut down on waste by properly organizing your home. Simple changes to your interior design will enhance natural lighting, improve airflow, and minimize the need to use electrical energy. Easy fixes like upgrading your appliances can free up space on your countertops while aiding your efforts to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Natural Light
EIA statistics show that lighting alone accounts for 10% of all electricity use in American households. While you needn’t stumble around your home in the dark to cut emissions, you should take proactive steps to make the most of the natural light in your space.
Get started by switching to eco-friendly windows and doors. These use low-emissivity glass to allow sunlight while blocking harmful UV rays. Opting for sliding glass doors can greatly enhance the amount of light in your home and help your space stay lit throughout the day. If you are considering a major renovation, opt for a few skylights in strategic areas to let more daylight into your house.
You can further maximize the use of natural light by strategically placing mirrors throughout your home. Mirrors naturally increase the light in your home and can help the space feel bright on even the gloomiest of days.
Letting more light into your home can help you feel happier, too. Natural lighting influences your mood by supporting your circadian rhythm and fighting off seasonal affective disorder (SAD). When the sun sets, you can continue to reap the rewards of energy-efficient, mood-boosting light by switching to low-waste LED bulbs that require a fraction of the energy used by incandescent bulbs.
Maximizing Passive Power
Running an AC all summer long is certain to spike your energy use. However, rising temperatures mean that you must take a proactive approach to keeping your home cool or risk developing heat-related conditions. Installing solar panels means that you can run your AC during warmer periods without fretting about rising emissions.
However, solar panels aren’t the only way to use the sun’s energy. As an eco-conscious homeowner, you can organize your home and harness the power of solar energy by:
Installing solar pool heaters if you have a swimming pool or hot tub;
Removing objects that impede ventilation and drawing blinds while using whole-house fans to enhance natural cooling;
Purchasing a solar oven to cook outdoors during the summer months;
Make tactful use of passive solar in the winter months by installing a thermal chimney.
These modifications will reduce clutter in your space and maximize the use of solar energy. Simple changes like moving furniture to improve airflow can greatly enhance the efficiency of whole-house fans and will aid your efforts to cool your home naturally. Full use of passive energy systems, like solar heaters, is particularly important if you have high-energy home features like hot tubs or swimming pools.
Low Clutter, Low Waste Living
Cutting clutter can reduce stress and help you lead a more eco-friendly life. Organizing for efficiency is easy, too. Start leading a more efficient, low-waste life today by:
Separating dirty clothing into hot (sports garments and bedding) and cold washing (everyday clothing);
Batch cooking to reduce energy use throughout the week;
Re-arranging furniture to ensure HVAC flow isn’t blocked;
Installing smart plugs and cable-tying wiring to minimize energy and decrease visual clutter in your office.
These simple steps reduce the amount of time and money you spend on cleaning, too. This can help you save funds for eco-friendly home upgrades like water-saving shower heads and smart sprinkler systems.
Conclusion
Simple changes to your home’s layout can maximize your use of natural light, improve your HVAC efficiency, and reduce your energy bill. Leading an eco-friendly lifestyle can do wonders for your mental health, too, as living in a clutter-free, low-waste environment can aid your efforts to destress and feel calm when at home.
