With American homes producing almost as much as one-fifth of the nation’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, it will come as no surprise that making our homes more energy efficient can help cut emissions and mitigate climate change. A greener home helps conserve natural resources to help build a healthier planet for future generations. But what you may not know is that a cleaner home can also be a more energy-efficient home. Whether improving indoor air quality or reducing electricity consumption, the benefits of a cleaner home are huge. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways a cleaner home equals a more energy-efficient home.
Dust And Clean To Improve Your Home’s Air Quality
One of the most significant benefits of keeping a cleaner home is improving indoor air quality. It’s common for dirt, dust and other pollutants to build up in the home, which can lead to respiratory problems and impact the effectiveness of your air conditioning system. Regularly cleaning, including vacuuming, dusting and changing the air filters, will help to remove these toxins so your cooling and heating systems can operate more effectively. Clutter can also hinder the airflow in the home and impact the effectiveness of your ventilation, heating and air conditioning system. Consider decluttering and reducing the amount of excess furniture and objects in your home that might obstruct vents, block airflow, and cause air conditioning systems to work much harder, resulting in increased energy consumption.
Clean The Windows To Reduce Energy Consumption
Not only does the heat gained and lost through windows account for up to 30% of your home’s air conditioning energy consumption, but dirty windows can also hinder your home’s energy efficiency. Dirt can affect the heating and cooling qualities of the window panes, preventing sunlight from penetrating the home. As a result, you may have to rely more on artificial lighting during the day, leading to increased energy consumption. Keeping your windows clean, meanwhile, maximizes the absorption of sunlight, effectively providing you with free solar heat during the winter and enabling you to turn down the heat and lower your consumption. Each time you clean your windows, it’s a good idea to also check for any gaps in the screens or weather stripping that could let air escape, reducing your home’s energy efficiency.
Clean And Maintain Appliances To Increase Their Efficiency
When your household appliances are clean and well-maintained, they run much more efficiently and save energy. However, a build-up of dust, dirt and pet hair will force the motor to work much harder and use more electricity. Regular cleaning and maintenance, such as cleaning out dryer vents, refrigerator coils, and the oven, and even regularly descaling coffee makers, will help these devices operate at their optimum performance. Keeping these appliances clean and free of debris will also extend their lifespan, helping to reduce the significant environmental impact of disposing of them. Don’t forget to check your home appliances are turned off when not in use (and we mean properly off not just on stand-by) to avoid wasting energy.
Reduce Clutter For Improved Insulation
Reducing clutter as part of your regular cleaning routine helps improve home insulation and reduce the need for cooling and heating. When left unchecked, clutter can accumulate dirt and dust, and as items start piling up, it can also block radiators, air ducts, and vents, which can reduce airflow, allow dust to settle, and hamper your home’s energy efficiency. An accumulation of clutter can also make cleaning and maintenance much more challenging. But whether it’s removing unwanted items from your closet or rearranging furniture, a clutter-free home lets air circulate freely and evenly distribute cool air in summer and warmth during the colder months, helping to reduce your reliance on air conditioning systems.
While most of us strive to maintain a clean home, many people may not appreciate the strong link between a clean home and an energy-efficient home. By keeping your free of dirt and dust, cleaning the windows, reducing clutter and cleaning and maintaining your appliances can help you maximize your home’s energy efficiency. So the next time you’re reaching for your cleaning supplies, you can have peace of mind that you’re not only maintaining a healthy home but also playing a key role in protecting the planet.