18 Tips for Living Sustainably at Home: Reducing Energy Consumption

As Earth Day 2024 rolls around, are you thinking about how your lifestyle impacts the environment? Here are some ideas for reducing your carbon footprint and living sustainably at home by reducing your energy consumption and more.

Strategies for living sustainably: your home and habits 

Living sustainably means reducing your usage of the planet’s resources so they last longer and are available for your kids, grandkids, and future generations. You can adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle by taking a look at your home and your day-to-day habits. 

Tweak your home systems to save energy

Did you know your home’s heating & cooling systems account for 50 to 60 percent of your home’s total energy consumption? That’s more than all your other home systems combined. 

So if you’re looking to reduce your ecological footprint, it makes sense to start with your HVAC. Here are some important steps that reduce your utility bills along with carbon emissions.

1. Adjust your thermostat settings. Turn thermostats down a couple of degrees in winter and turn them up a couple of degrees in the summer. While you’re at it, turn down your water heater a couple of degrees as well. Chances are, you won’t notice a big difference but the energy savings really adds up. 
2. Install programmable thermostats. This is an easy way to save energy. Programmable thermostats allow you to set thermostats based on your schedule. If everyone is out of the house during the day, you can set an automatic schedule so you don’t have to remember to adjust the thermostat. And you can control the settings remotely using a smartphone app.
3. Get your HVAC systems tuned up every year. Heating and air conditioning tuneups keep your equipment running efficiently so it uses less energy. Get your AC tuned up in the spring and your heating system tuned up in the fall. Our maintenance memberships make it easy, economical, and convenient. 
4. Clean your ducts. When your HVAC ducts are clogged with dust, you don’t get as much heated and cooled air into your space. And your equipment has to work harder and run longer to reach the set temperature. That uses more energy. Get your ducts inspected and cleaned to improve HVAC performance and efficiency.
5. Replace your old heating and AC systems.

If your home heating and/or cooling systems are more than 10 years old, they use much more energy than newer technologies do. Plus, they are probably close to the end of their lifespan.

Today’s furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners are designed to heat and cool with significantly less energy consumption. Plus, you can get zoned systems that heat and cool only where you need it, and that saves even more energy. 

BONUS: We can help you save even more money with rebates and incentives.

6. Add insulation. A lot of heated and cooled air can get lost through a poorly insulated home exterior. Adding insulation to walls and attics can make a big difference in your comfort AND your energy consumption. Also consider adding insulation around hot water plumbing pipes. These steps help you qualify for additional home energy efficiency rebates and incentives! Ask us for more information and we can help you sign up.
7. Choose Energy Star appliances. Do you have other older appliances that are underperforming or nearing the end of their lifespan, like your dishwasher, refrigerator or washer and dryer? Be sure to choose Energy Star rated appliances to cut your energy usage. 
8. Get a home energy audit. There are many more ways you can save energy at home that you might not be aware of. Consider getting a home energy audit to learn from experts about all the ways you can save. 

Learn more: How to Save Energy & Lower Utility Bills at Home

Tweak your habits to help protect the planet

Changing your habits not only reduces your carbon footprint, but can also demonstrate your commitment to living sustainably to your family and friends. 

Here are more ways you can help to protect the planet:

9. Close windows and doors when your heat or AC is running
10. Turn off electronics when not in use
11. Recycle as much paper, cardboard, metal, and glass as you can
12. Take shorter showers and reduce the water temperature
13. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
14. Do larger laundry loads with cooler water
15. Donate unwanted items instead of throwing them away
16. Cut down on printing by saving and sharing documents electronically
17. Drive less: walk or use public transportation whenever you can
18. Use a water filtration system instead of buying bottled water

Bruni & Campisi can help with sustainable living

Bruni & Campisi offers a wide range of services to help you save energy and reduce your carbon footprint:

• Maintenance memberships for your air conditioning and heating systems
• Energy-efficient AC and heating systems installation
• Air duct cleaning
• Home insulation 

Schedule a consultation now!

Bruni & Campisi provides 24/7 emergency service, installation, and maintenance for plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and generators in Westchester, Fairfield, and Putnam Counties. We also offer sewer cleaning, and chimney cleaning. With our 40+ years of experience and training, you get the quality service you need.