Renovating your home can be an excellent opportunity to make it more energy efficient. There are various techniques and solutions that can be adopted to reduce energy consumption and improve living comfort. Let’s take a look at the most commonly used ones.
Everyday Actions to save Energy at Home
To save energy at home, it’s not just about carrying out certain types of work or sacrificing domestic comfort. There are many small actions we can adopt every day to reduce our energy consumption and save on bills. These actions can also help reduce the environmental impact of our daily lives.
Here are some everyday actions that can make a difference:
– Choose the right provider for household utilities: the choice of provider for electricity and gas utilities is often underestimated; however, by comparing different electricity and gas offers, it is possible to opt for the one that best suits your consumption needs, resulting in significant savings on your monthly expenses. Also, take advantage of the opportunity to switch to the free energy market, where you will find more advantageous rates compared to the protected market;
– Turn off appliances when not in use: many appliances continue to consume energy even when we are not using them. For example, the TV on standby or the phone charger plugged into the socket. Completely turning off these devices when not in use can reduce energy consumption by up to 10%;
– Maximize natural light: opening curtains and windows during the day can increase natural lighting in the home, thus reducing the need to turn on artificial lights. Additionally, painting walls with light colors and using mirrors can increase the reflection of natural light;
– Adjust the temperature: maintaining a constant temperature in the home can be costly in terms of energy. Adjusting the temperature based on the activities we are doing and the time of day can help reduce energy consumption. For example, it is advisable to lower the temperature at night or when we are away from home;
– Use efficient appliances: older generation appliances can consume much more energy than newer and more efficient ones. When we need to replace an appliance, it is advisable to choose one with a high energy class (A+ or higher).
Thermal Insulation
Thermal insulation is one of the most effective interventions to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Proper insulation of walls, roofs, and floors can significantly reduce heat loss, allowing for a comfortable indoor temperature with less energy.
There are various solutions for thermal insulation, including:
- Insulating panels made of fiberglass, rock wool, or expanded polystyrene;
- Polyurethane foams;
- Ventilated walls with external insulation;
- Ventilated roofs with external insulation.
It is important to choose the type of insulation that best suits the specific needs of your home and carefully evaluate the position and thickness of the insulation.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are another key element for a home’s energy efficiency. Windows, doors, and shutters can be responsible for a significant amount of heat loss, especially if they are not properly sealed or made of poorly insulating materials.
To improve the efficiency of windows and doors, various solutions can be adopted, such as:
- Replacing old windows with low-emissivity models;
- Using double or triple glazing;
- Using insulating materials, such as PVC or thermally broken aluminum;
- Installing seals and sealants to reduce air leaks.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling systems are another area where improvements can be made to enhance a home’s energy efficiency. In particular, solutions such as the following can be adopted:
- Replacing the old boiler with a more efficient and low-consumption one;
- Using heat pumps for heating and cooling;
- Installing controlled mechanical ventilation systems to improve air quality and reduce heat loss.
It is important to choose a heating and cooling system for your home, taking into account the size of the rooms and the local climate.
Use of Renewable Energy
Finally, a way to make your home even more energy efficient is the use of renewable energy sources. This way, it is possible to further reduce the consumption of electricity and gas, also contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Among the most common solutions are:
- Solar thermal panels for the production of domestic hot water;
- Photovoltaic panels for the production of electricity;
- Geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling.
In conclusion, renovating your home can be an excellent opportunity to make the dwelling more energy efficient. Choosing the right solutions for thermal insulation, windows and doors, heating and cooling systems, and the use of renewable energy can make a difference in terms of living comfort and energy savings.
