We all have some pre-conceived notions in our heads about what it means to be energy-efficient. Whether you are picturing someone who lives off the grid or envisioning a smart house full of the latest technological gadgets to measure energy usage, the truth is that energy efficiency can be pretty simple.
We know that saving money is important to homeowners in Lake Elsinore, and that’s why we’ve decided to shine a light on the truth about energy efficiency. Below, we’ve take on three of the biggest energy efficiency myths and gone into a bit more detail about why these common misconceptions just aren’t accurate.
3 Energy Efficiency Myths (And Why They’re Wrong)
Though there are a lot of myths out there about home HVAC and energy usage, perhaps one of the biggest areas of confusion is energy efficiency. Here are three of the top common misconceptions about energy efficiency and why they’re not quite right:
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Being energy-efficient is the same thing as using less energy.
Though taking steps to use less energy is a great way to reduce your monthly home energy costs, this is not exactly the same thing as being energy efficient. Think about it in terms of work. If you are “efficient” at your job, it does not mean that you do less work than you normally would, it just means that you are getting the same amount of output with less input, working smarter, not less.
The same is true of energy efficiency. While taking steps like turning down your thermostat or turning off lights when you leave a room will help you conserve energy, it does not necessarily make you more energy efficient. It’s important to note that energy efficiency and energy conservation both play an equal role in cutting down the amount of energy that you use and reducing energy costs. However, your quality of life and comfort does not have to take a hit just because you want to save more energy. Which brings us to our next myth…
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Energy efficiency requires drastic behavioral changes.
When you hear the phrase “energy efficient” do you envision someone who lives off-grid using fire to keep warm and solar energy to shower? If you do, you are probably under the impression that energy efficiency requires home owners to make drastic behavioral changes in order to save enough energy to make a difference.
However, the truth is that you don’t have to live in an uncomfortable home environment just to enjoy the perks of energy efficiency. Remember, efficiency means getting the same output with less input. Investing in more energy efficient appliances and home systems can help you enjoy the same comfort levels while using less energy overtime. Even if you’re not ready to upgrade your entire HVAC system, there are other, more simple and less costly measures that you can take to heat and cool your home more efficiently.
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It’s expensive to make your home more energy efficient.
If all you can think about is $$$ when you consider your options for home energy efficiency, then you may subscribe to the myth that making your home more energy efficient is expensive. However, when you look at the long-term vs. short-term costs and savings of energy efficiency measures for your home, you’ll notice that this is just not the case.
When looking at the long-term costs of energy efficiency, you’ll find that energy-efficiency is an investment that helps you save more over time. Though that may not change the fact that an energy-efficient HVAC system is out of your price range, there are other steps that you can take to improve efficiency in your home like improving your home’s insulation and sealing cracks and leaks around doors and windows.
Interested in learning more about energy efficiency? This is just one of the many home improvement topics we cover on our blog each month. To stay up-to-date with the latest in energy efficiency, HVAC, and home comfort, follow our blog.
