The planet is heating up fast and energy efficiency is no longer a lifestyle choice, it is the need of the hour. Since our homes represent a large portion of our lifestyles, it becomes our duty to ensure that we make energy-conscious choices. The best part is that you don’t need to move the oceans to make your house energy efficient. Here are 5 simple steps to make your home kinder to the environment.

• Directions matter! 

If you are trying to save energy, work with the natural elements. For example, when planning your home, work with natural sunlight when deciding upon the direction of each room. South-facing windows offer ample sunlight throughout the day and are ideal for the main living spaces like living rooms, family rooms or dining area. Kitchens or bedrooms are better with east-facing windows that receive natural light in the mornings. On the other hand, west-facing windows should be avoided to the extent possible as they let in the late afternoon sun which can be problematic for kitchens and bedrooms. North-facing rooms get low levels of natural light and therefore are best suited for guest bedrooms. 

• Stay false! 

False ceilings don’t only make your room look neater by concealing all the wiring. They also make your home more energy efficient. Since false ceilings are a little lower than the actual ceiling, they provide thermal insulation. The gap between the two layers of ceiling traps air within and since air is a bad conductor of heat, it prevents the heat from flowing into the room, thus keeping it cooler and improving the performance of your air conditioning. Since the false ceiling cuts down on the height of your room, it helps the AC to cool the room faster. 

• Light triumphs over dark!

Making your home energy efficient can be as simple as choosing a lighter shade of paint! Since lighter colours reflect more light, they make the rooms look brighter without adding unnecessary lighting, thus reducing electricity consumption. You can benefit from lighter paints in all kinds of rooms. If your room does have enough natural light, the paint will reflect it better and if the room does not have proper natural light, then it will cut down on the number of artificial lights that you need in the room. 

• Airflow is important!

Just like natural sunlight, equip your home to make the most of natural airflow. A home with proper ventilation remains cooler in hot weather, saving on unnecessary air conditioning costs. On the other hand, windows and doors must also have proper insulation to retain indoor temperature. Insulation becomes extremely important for homes in extremely cold, hot or humid areas, where the extreme climate can damage your home and force you to use supplements like air conditioners, dryers and heaters, bringing up energy consumption. 

• The right appliances can help!

When buying a new appliance, check the energy ratings. Appliances with high energy ratings might seem to be a little on the expensive side when you buy them, but they actually end up saving a lot more electricity in the long run. Whether it is a new refrigerator, oven or iron, you must make a conscious decision to go for the most energy-efficient model you can find. 

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