Having a more efficient home is a terrific way to save money on utility bills. Most people want to reduce their carbon footprint and their monthly utility bills by taking steps to increase their home’s energy efficiency. Here are 7 ways to work towards making your home more energy efficient and lower your utility bills.
Add insulation
Did you know that about a third of the energy used to heat the average home escapes through the walls and ceiling? So, what should you do?
Adding insulation to your ceilings, walls and floors is a terrific way to reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable year-round. Lack of proper insulation causes heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
There’s a wide variety of materials available that can be used to effectively cut down on heat passage through walls, ceilings and floors through insulation. Because it slows the transfer of heat, insulation makes it so that less energy is expended heating and cooling your home.
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Fix your heating system
While new, high-efficiency boilers are the most energy-efficient option, even older units can be upgraded to improve their performance. Not everyone has the financial means to purchase a new boiler, so they “got to do what they got to do” and make do with the one they currently have.
The first step is to have it professionally serviced each year. In addition, to keep air flowing freely into the unit and to extend the life of your boiler, you should replace the filters at least once every three months; more often if you have pets or have recently renovated.
Switch to different lights
When it comes to lighting, the easiest method to save money is to turn off lights when not in use and replace outdated bulbs with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which are far more energy efficient.
LEDs have a longer lifespan than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and they consume less energy. LEDs, as is the case with all newly introduced technologies, may cost more than CFLs. However, the cost of production, and consequently the retail price, are constantly decreasing.
Although initially more expensive, LED bulbs can last anywhere from 35 to 50 times as long as incandescent bulbs and 2 to 5 times as long as fluorescent varieties.
Tighten duct seals
Most of us are aware that when ducts have gaps in them, hot air can seep out. As a result, the rooms on the upper floors of your home won’t be heated, while an unfinished basement will cost you money to heat. Putting heating-vent tape over all the obvious cracks may help in this situation. Discover more relevant info on this page.
Check your doors & windows
To avoid spending excess money on heating and cooling, make sure all the windows and doors in your home have airtight seals.
Moreover, a burning incense stick or candle can be used to detect drafts around door and window frames. A draft exists if the flame or smoke flickers. Install new weather-stripping, a door sweep and caulk any exposed frames. Exterior window film is very effective in boosting efficiency during the winter months.
Automate usage
You can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bills by installing a smart thermostat. The system is effective because it adapts to your routine and preferences. If you always lower the thermostat around the same time prior to going to bed, a smart thermostat can be set to do this automatically.
A smart thermostat also allows remote control of your central heating via an app while you’re away from home. So even if your plans change at the last minute, you can still manage your HVAC system with ease using your smartphone.
Light automation is another cost-cutting measure you may use. You can save money on lighting by installing motion sensors, dimmer switches and timers.
Phantom power consumption
Connect all your counter-top electronics to a power bar and set it to turn off automatically when you go to bed. Keep in mind that electronics such as TVs, cable boxes, PVRs and game consoles still consume power even when turned off. Since they’re all connected to the same power strip, turning them off after everyone goes to bed is a breeze.
