In a world where energy efficiency and sustainability are more important than ever, making eco-friendly home improvements is a step towards a greener future. Now when it comes to energy conservation, we often focus on common areas like the kitchen or living room. However, the bedroom is another crucial space where we can implement energy-saving strategies.
There are many ways to make your bedroom more sustainable, from heating usage to choosing eco-friendly bedding. Let’s explore some ways to create an energy-saving bedroom!
Assessing Your Current Bedroom Energy Use
Before embarking on an energy-saving remodel, it’s essential to assess your current bedroom energy consumption. Take stock of your bedroom’s appliances, electronics, and lighting fixtures. Note any inefficiencies or areas where energy waste may occur.
This assessment will serve as a starting point for your energy-saving efforts, so you know where to focus your energy. It’s the best way to start a project: being organized and knowing exactly what you need to do so you don’t waste any time.
Setting Energy Efficiency Goals
Once you have a clear picture of your bedroom’s current energy use, set yourself some specific energy-saving goals for your bedroom. Determine the amount of energy you hope to save and the time frame in which you want to achieve it.
Setting goals will help you stay focused. This will also motivate you throughout the remodeling process, so you don’t give up on what you set out to do. Being more conscious of the energy you use within your bedroom, and indeed the rest of your home, is a great mindset to have. But you need to stick to it, and having goals will help you with this.
Heating and Cooling Efficiency
Optimizing heating and cooling efficiency is key to creating an energy-saving bedroom. Try not to use heating systems or air conditioning, as these are not always particularly good for the environment.
During colder months, layer some thick cozy blankets on your bed and use a hot water bottle or electric blanket instead of cranking up the heat. And of course, consider putting on your dressing gown or a jumper.
In warmer seasons, utilize fans or natural ventilation strategies (like opening the window!) to keep the room cool. Be sure to switch to your summer pajamas when the weather heats up, opting for lightweight and breathable fabrics.
If you do need to use heating and cooling systems, ensure they are properly maintained and serviced so they aren’t wasting unnecessary energy. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature settings based on your schedule. This means you can turn the heating or air conditioning off when you’re not in the room or pre-set them to come on just before you get home.
A smart meter can help you see how much energy you’re using, and it might come as a surprise to note how much it goes up or down when things are turned on or off.
Sustainable Bedding
One way to immediately make your bedroom an eco-friendlier space is to get yourself some eco-friendly bedding. Don’t chuck your old bedding away to end up in a landfill. Instead, see if you can donate it to a local animal shelter or look for a textile recycling bin.
Then it’s time to treat yourself to some delightful eco-friendly bedding!
Bamboo Bedding
One of the best materials for bedding is bamboo, as it has so many benefits and is actively beneficial to the planet. As bamboo grows, it sequesters carbon. It also doesn’t require much water to grow, nor does it need any chemicals.
Bamboo fabric is super soft on the skin, as well as being hypoallergenic and antibacterial. With all of these benefits, as well as how sustainable and long-lasting it is, it’s easy to see why you should invest in one. A bamboo bedding and duvet double whammy will be the snuggliest and most eco-friendly way to go!
Reducing Phantom Energy Load
One thing that you might not think about in terms of energy in your bedroom is the phantom load. This refers to appliances that use electricity (and energy) while they’re not technically being used.
Some examples include your TV when on standby mode, and ‘smart’ devices like voice-activated speakers, which are always on and awaiting a voice command. Try to reduce the number of these devices in your bedroom if you’re hoping to make it a greener and more eco-friendly part of the house.
Proper Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
Making your room greener will be beneficial for your health too: ensuring the room is properly ventilated and has better air quality will help you breathe easier.
If you live somewhere with low levels of outdoor air pollution, away from busy roads, then aim to keep your window open at night. This allows clean air to flow around your room.
You can install ventilators in your room which help to keep the air clean, too. Try adding some house plants to your bedroom too. Not only do they look great and keep things fresh. They also improve the air quality of a room by removing volatile organic compounds from the air!
Monitoring and Adjusting
Once you’ve made the changes you want to make in order for a greener sleep space, be sure to monitor the energy usage. You can get your hands on a smart meter, which helps to measure the electricity being used. Keep an eye on this and make some further adjustments if necessary.
You might still have too many electronic devices in the room. You can remove these, or you might find you’re still using the heating too much. If so, add a big snuggly blanket to that gorgeous sustainable bedding of yours.
Time to go for an energy-saving bedroom remodel!
Indeed, from reducing the use of heating and air conditioning to choosing sustainable bedding options, there are plenty of ways to make your room more of an eco-friendly environment.
A greener space is not only better for the planet. It will also help you sleep a little easier at night. And we all want that, right?
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