Making your home efficient is the best way to consume less energy and - in addition to the savings this will make to your pocket - to become aware of our impact on the environment and be more respectful of it. To turn your home into an efficient one it is important to start with small gestures - those that are easier and cost less - but to make a real transformation it is necessary to make some investments that, even so, will show its results in a short term. Read on to find out how energy saving works in family homes and how to implement it in your own.

Energy efficiency with renovations

A 100% efficient home can require extensive remodeling. As we mentioned, these changes may seem costly, but the truth is that the decrease in energy expenditure is so considerable that the investment is justified on its own.

If your home lends itself to this, the most fundamental change that you will notice the most is the installation of a solar panel roof that allows you to save electrical energy by using an alternative, natural and completely free source: the sun's energy.

Another renovation - also fundamental in any efficient housing project - is the improvement in the quality of the isolation of the home, as deficiencies in this area mean that the loss of heat and cold is enormous and, therefore, the cost of heating (in winter) and air conditioning (in summer) is considerable. All windows, ceilings, floors and walls must be in perfect condition so that heat does not escape through them.

Energy efficiency with moderate changes in the home

The watter

As we mentioned, if you don't have the option of carrying out major reforms in your home, you can also carry out small gestures to turn your house into a much more efficient space.

Without going any further, water is another of the services that can be noticed in the bills of the house, since it is usually used without moderation. So start by limiting your consumption by avoiding wasting water when you're washing up or using the sink or shower (don't run the dishwasher or washing machine without filling them completely and don't keep the taps on while you're not using them). The best way to do this is to have single-lever and thermostatic taps installed in these places, which allow you to regulate both the temperature and the flow of the water. Another option -which has been proven to save thousands of litres of water a year- is the installation of double-button flushing systems in the toilets.

As for light, get used to making gestures that will not cost you anything, but will help you get the most out of natural light. During the day, open windows and draw the curtains or blinds. This will reduce your dependence on lamps and light bulbs (if you need them, make sure they are low consumption), taking advantage of one of the riches we have most in Spain: the hours of sunshine.

Change the electrical appliances

Old technology consumes a lot of energy, while modern appliances are designed to save energy. Therefore, if you can, an important recommendation for energy efficiency in the home is to replace your equipment with others with the appropriate certification that guarantees its low consumption. And remember! You should always disconnect all electronic appliances when they are not in use, as even if they are switched off, they still consume energy.

Awnings for winter and summer

If you have a garden or terrace, placing an awning will help save energy by reducing the temperature in summer and avoiding the constant use of fans or air conditioning inside the house. Likewise, they are very favourable to protect the interior from the cold of the winter.

Having an efficient home is a combination of your actions, together with technological elements and punctual renovations in order to save energy, make good use of natural resources and be more responsible with the environment. Get on with it!