Interior design offers another fantastic benefit aside from increasing the value of your home; your decisions can help you save money on electricity. So, you may be wondering exactly how to reduce energy consumption through re-arranging and decorating your bedroom. Continue reading to learn about 10 energy efficient bedroom design tips.
1. Turn Off the AC
Air conditioners can use up a lot of energy, which in return increases your electricity bill. In order to save energy and money it’s important to allow the thermostat to increase slightly in the summer and decrease slightly in the winter.
Fortunately, there are other methods that can help you stay a comfortable temperature, especially if you live in very hot or cold climates. Continue reading to find out other ways in which you can keep yourself warm or cool.
2. Install a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are an effective way of circulating the air around your home. This can be done by setting the spin to anti clockwise in the summer and switching to clockwise in the winter. The anti-clockwise motion creates a downward draft which will cool the home, while the clockwise motion circulates the warmer air from the ceiling to the whole room.
Ceiling fans are energy efficient too. Having one will reduce the amount of money you would spend on air conditioning or heating bills.
3. Adjust your Bedding
It’s important to switch your bedding up based on the season. Some materials are designed to trap heat whilst others do the opposite. During summertime, opt for breathable linens to keep you cool. Then, switch to heavier bedding and extra blankets for the winter months.
4. Indoor and Outdoor Plants
It may surprise you, but the type and number of plants you keep inside and outside your home can help you save energy. Planting a tree outside your home in a strategic location can give shade, which can naturally cool your property.
House plants can also be effective. Plants exude moisture into the air, which can cool it down on a hot day or warm it up on a cold one.
5. Make Use of Natural Light
Lighting our homes with electric lights is what a lot of our energy consumption goes towards. So how can we prevent this? You can utilise natural light by investing in larger windows or installing sun tunnels. These bring direct light into a room from your home's roof.
Allowing as much natural light in as possible can ensure that you use less energy by turning on your lights less frequently.
Solar panels are also a great way to make use of natural light. Sunlight doesn’t cost, so once you’ve paid for the installation, your electricity bills will be reduced. Solar is also low carbon, renewable energy.
6. Upgrade your Lightbulbs
Lighting that is energy efficient helps to reduce electricity bills and carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining the quality of light in our homes.
Blackout curtains are a wise investment. Not only do they help you sleep better, but they also help to maintain the temperature of your bedroom. During winter, keep them open in the day for natural heat from the sun and close them at night for added insulation as it gets colder.
Many at this point find themselves wondering, is it more energy efficient to close bedroom doors, rather than make an extra investment? It’s a common misconception that closing bedroom doors will keep the heat in certain rooms. Unfortunately, it’s not effective. When you close a bedroom door, you effectively block the air's journey, which can cause airflow problems.
8. Get Carpets or Rugs to Trap Heat
In the winter months you might be looking to trap in any heat in your home. If you have hardwood floor, you might want to consider investing in some large rugs to keep any heat from escaping through the floor.
It's crucial to keep in mind that different materials provide varying degrees of insulation. Wool is an excellent choice because it is both sturdy and soft underfoot while also providing excellent insulation. Any rugs put down can then be put away in the summer months allowing for a cooler environment.
9. Replace Air Ducts and Filters
It’s important to replace your air filters at least twice a year. Make sure to clean out your air ducts too. Any dirt or dust build-up can affect how efficient your heating and air conditioning are. A clogged filter reduces air movement and forces the system to work harder to keep you warm or cool, wasting energy. A clean filter will help keep dust and grime out of the system, preventing costly maintenance and/or premature system failure.
10. Double-pane Your Windows
Replace your single-pane windows with double-paned. The second pane offers insulation to your bedroom, allowing you to maintain the temperature and protect it from outside forces, whether hot or cold. Look out for the ENERGY STAR certified label when buying any windows to ensure you are buying an energy efficient window.
Get an Energy Efficient Sleep with Get Laid Beds
At Get Laid Beds we have a wide range of mattresses that can help you to be energy efficient. Take a look at our range of breathable mattresses. If you’re looking to be even more eco-friendly consider one of our durable and stylish wood beds. They are built to last and so are more eco-friendly.
