3 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

As energy costs continue to rise, smart consumers continue to look for ways to save. One of the best — since it also has the benefit of being kinder to the planet — is increasing the efficiency of your home, which can be as low-effort as switching to a new power strip or as high-impact as updating your heating and cooling systems. Here are three power plays that can make a real difference.

Thwart energy vampires

The typical U.S. home has more than 20 electronic devices, according to the EPA-backed program Energy Star. And those computers, printers, TVs, gaming consoles, phone chargers and so on (you’re taking a mental tally right now, aren’t you?) have a voracious appetite for electricity, even when you’re not actively using them. Known as “energy vampires” or “vampire devices,” these power-hungry pieces of equipment cost you money anytime they’re plugged in — in fact, devices in standby mode could account for as much as 5 to 10 percent of your electric bill, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

You could, of course, simply unplug devices when they’re not in use, but that’s often inconvenient: Maybe your TV uses a hard-to-reach outlet, or it’s frustrating to send a document to your wireless printer only to realize it’s not even powered on. Instead, invest in a smart power strip (or perhaps, considering those 20-plus devices, several smart power strips), which will detect the drop in power consumption when a device goes into standby mode and cut power to that outlet. When you wake the device, the strip automatically switches the power back on.

Eliminate energy escape routes

Whether you’re running the A/C in the summer or the heat in the winter, you’re wasting energy if old and drafty windows, doors and even outlet covers are letting your precious chilled or warmed-up air leak through to the outdoors. You can seal these sneaky escape routes in a variety of ways. Simple weighted draft stoppers can block air from coming in (or going out) through gaps at the bottoms of your doors. You can also weatherproof windows and doors with easy-to-install products like caulk, insulating spray foam or rubber weather strips.

A slightly bigger undertaking: shoring up your home’s overall insulation. If your walls or floors are noticeably warm or cold, or you feel drafts that aren’t coming from a door or window, it may be time to enlist a professional to conduct an energy audit of your home, which will include assessing your insulation. According to the EPA, sealing your home and making sure your attic, basement and/or crawl spaces are properly insulated can save an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Upgrade your infrastructure

Nearly 20 percent of the average home’s energy costs come just from heating water (showering, laundry, dishwashing — it adds up!). But newer, more advanced heat-pump systems are markedly more efficient than traditional equipment.

A standout in this space is the A. O. Smith Signature 900 66-Gallon Smart Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater with Leak Detection & Automatic Shut-Off, winner of a 2023 Good Housekeeping Home Renovation Award and one of the most energy-efficient systems on the market, according to Dan DiClerico, director of home improvement and outdoor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Replacing your old water heater with the Signature 900 could lower your energy bill by more than $600 a year,” he says.

The Signature 900 is also equipped with some serious smart technology. Its WiFi-connected Leak Watch leak detector alerts you immediately via an app on your smartphone if the unit springs a leak — though fortunately, DiClerico points out, its high-quality copper elements and protective TankGuard features make that unlikely. (The unit is also backed by a 10-year warranty.) If a leak is detected, the built-in Leak Shield shut-off valve will automatically cut the water supply. The mobile app also lets homeowners monitor energy usage, adjust temperature levels and control heating and cooling schedules from their phones.

Along with the potential savings on your energy bills, there’s also this appealing incentive: The A. O. Smith Signature 900 66-Gallon Smart Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater is eligible for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits and local rebates of up to $1,000 in some states. All of which makes for an exceptional combination of technology, efficiency and affordability that made it a favorite of the GH Reno Awards expert reviewers — and is sure to do the same for energy- and savings-conscious homeowners.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
   • Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
   • Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5) in cities

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:

• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP
• Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5) in cities
• Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com

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