Did you know January 10^th is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day? This holiday encourages people to look for ways to reduce energy costs and save on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. Making your home more energy-efficient can save you money while lessening your impact on the environment. In honor of National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, here is a list of things that can be done to conserve energy and reduce your carbon footprint!

One way to create an energy-efficient home is by replacing old windows and doors with new, energy-efficient ones. Old windows and doors that don’t meet updated energy requirements could be raising your energy costs—if the doors are not energy-efficient, they may cause heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, resulting in increased use of heaters/air conditioning. You can replace old patio doors and windows with Energy Solutions Bi-Fold Patio Doors that are Title 24 compliant. Energy-efficient folding doors can keep heat in during the winter and resist unwanted heat gain during the summer and can save you money on heating and cooling bills. Aside from their resistance to heat loss/gain, Energy Solutions Bi-Folds can increase airflow and natural light in your space, limiting the need for air conditioning, electric fans, and lights during peak daylight hours.

Another investment you can make to live a greener life is by converting your home to solar energy. Solar power is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels and can significantly impact your energy costs. Although it requires a larger investment upfront, running your home on solar energy will pay for itself and reduce costs in the long run. Clean solar energy will reduce your energy bills and give you peace of mind knowing that you have decreased your carbon footprint!

If you are one of the 128 million Americans that commute to work on a daily basis, this section is for you. You can greatly reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint by carpooling to work. If your coworkers live nearby, you might consider establishing a carpool group and taking turns driving each other to work. This will relieve your gas and car maintenance expenses while reducing your energy consumption, pollution, and road traffic! When it’s time to buy or lease your next car, you may want to invest in an electric or hybrid vehicle that can lower (or completely eliminate) fuel costs and limit your carbon footprint.

Other small ways that can have a large impact on reducing energy costs and living ecofriendly:

• Conserve water by taking shorter showers
• Be conscious of running water while brushing teeth, shaving, and washing dishes
• Install low-flow shower heads to conserve water
• Run dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded
• Turn off lights when leaving a room
• Replace lightbulbs with energy saving bulbs
• Lower your thermostat while away from home

If you can implement even just a few of these habits, you will be conserving resources, creating less pollution, and helping to build a greener community. Some options require a larger investment but will also have a bigger impact on energy cost reduction! To learn more about replacing old doors and windows with energy-efficient Bi-Fold Patio Doors, click here.