During the past few years, much clamor has been brought forward on how existing natural resources have slowly dwindled down to alarming levels. Coupled with an increasing awareness on how current energy resources created a negative impact on the environment, more and more governments around the world are slowly shifting their focus towards energy conservation as well as alternative and cheap electricity sources. In line with these efforts is the continuing drive towards creating more energy efficient homes that would pave the way towards achieving the perfect home of the future — a home that is so revolutionary that it can produce as much or even more energy than it can consume. This is in fact in alignment with the Department of Energy’s plan of building homes that are at least 70% more energy efficient.

What is an Energy Efficient Home?

An energy efficient home can be simply defined as a home that doesn’t waste energy or utilities. Whether you’re in Dallas or Houston and consuming significant amounts of electricity. Appliances, facilities and other energy-consuming elements in an energy efficient home are working in an economically and ecologically-sound manner. The goal is to cut energy consumption by 50% or even more. However, people need not wait for these advancements to materialize as they can start practicing certain habits in the home that will make it more energy efficient as some of these habits described below will do. People now have the power to choose which practices they can do to save energy.

Ways to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Power your home with solar energy: Technological advances in this field have made energy production at home through solar energy a more viable and more economically sound alternative. Texas homes can save much on electricity by using solar energy systems in their homes. Solar panels in energy-efficient homes have entire sections of walls and the roof covered with solar panels that can harness the power of the sun and convert it to electricity.

Use only energy efficient appliances: When choosing appliances, it would be well worth the investment if the item chosen are certified with an Energy Star seal, which means it is more energy efficient than standard ones and in fact can reach up to 90% less energy consumed. This includes air-conditioners, furnaces, refrigerators and other energy-consuming appliances in the home.

Install energy saving devices: Certain gadgets are being introduced that can save energy if plugged into an electrical socket in the home. However, these devices can only handle 3000 watts and would need additional gadgets plugged in if the total wattage goes beyond this current limit.

Make use of energy saving lighting: CFL’s or compact fluorescent lights can give the same amount of luminescence at much lower wattage consumption and can live to as much as 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs. These practices are even recommended by Houston or Dallas Electric Companies.

Attached energy efficient windows: heat passing through windows can significantly increase energy consumption for heating and air-conditioning. e-Films are good additions to windows that can block off heat during summer, and prevent heat from escaping during winter. In relation to this, it would also be wiser to have your home properly insulated to minimize heat exchanges that occur during summer and winter.