If you want to save money or help the environment, there are a myriad of purchases you can make that will help you save energy. In the long term, energy efficiency can save you money by reducing your power bill, and you can rest easy knowing you are doing your part to contribute to positive changes in society.

Lighting

In the past, traditional lighting was provided by incandescent light bulbs, and many homes and businesses still have incandescent lighting. This is especially true in spaces with long, tube-like bulbs, frequently seen in garages, gyms, classrooms, and even offices. However, new types of light bulbs are currently available that are not only more energy efficient, but safer as well. CFL, or compact fluorescent lamp, bulbs still have to be recycled, as they contain a little mercury, but they are far more energy efficient than incandescent lighting. LED, or light emitting diode, lighting is expensive to purchase, but safer to produce and replace, and they require less energy over a very long lifespan.

Insulation

Like lighting, having proper insulation in your home can save you money even though there may be a higher upfront cost. A home that is poorly insulated will have to be heated or cooled more aggressively, meaning that you will spend more money on your air conditioning and heating during most of the year. Having good insulation in your home is essential not only for saving energy though, as it can also make your home quieter by providing sound insulation. Older forms of insulation can also be dangerous to your health, such as asbestos. If you live in a home that is poorly insulated, it may be possible to improve your energy efficiency without major renovations by adding insulation to problem areas that did not have any before, such as an attic, basement or garage. You may need to replace old windows or doors with newer models to increase insulation levels, as older single-pane glass exchanges a lot of heat. New double pane, or even triple pane, glass in windows and sliding doors is the new standard, and insulates your home’s windows from the outdoors.

Heating and Cooling

Even if you have the best insulation in the world, you will probably need to heat and cool your home at least part of the year. Unless you live in a particularly mild climate, this can add quite a bit of an expense to your home energy budget over the course of the year, but you can mitigate this by selecting energy efficient models for your heating and air conditioning units. Luckily, there is a program for certifying which models are the best at conserving energy. There are also some great tips for saving energy by using a programmable thermostat, cleaning and maintaining your equipment, or even patching air leaks in your home.

Home Solar

If you want to take your energy saving to the next level, you can seriously reduce your power bill by investing in your own renewable energy source. In some areas you may be able to generate your own wind energy, but it is far more common and practical in most cities to invest in solar panels, and there are often several options available for installation and financing. For example, Boston solar options include purchasing your own solar panels, or contracting through a third party to lease your panels at a reduced monthly cost. Depending on your budget and your energy needs, this could save you a lot of money over the years.

Whether you are building a new home or trying to make the home you live in today more energy efficient, there are options for you. This can include everything from a simple change in light bulb choices to investing in better appliances. Keeping your home energy efficient can also result in a safer, quieter home, or in increased independence through production of your own green energy.