The Secrets to Low Energy Bills
Struggling with high energy bills and wondering how to lower your energy expenses? You're not alone. As energy prices continue to climb, more and more people are looking for ways to save.
Here are some easy ways to help you lower your energy bills without having to reduce your usage.
Get an Energy Audit
Energy audits are a great way to learn how much energy you're using and where you can save money. The audit will also help you identify problems in your home and make recommendations for repairs.
When you have an energy audit, your home is measured for air leakage, insulation levels, and efficiency of heating and cooling systems. The auditor also looks at your appliances and how they're used.
Make Sure Your Home is Insulated
One of the easiest and most effective ways to lower your energy bill is to ensure your home is well insulated.
According to the EPA, insulation can save you up to 11% on your heating and cooling costs, so it pays for itself over time. Plus, it helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature, so you won't have to run the air conditioner or furnace as much.
The best insulation for your home depends on its location and the building materials used when constructed. Most homes have cellulose insulation in them, which can settle over time. Having your insulation brought up to code will fix this and if it is done right, is a once in your home’s life time fix!
Insulate Your Water Heater
Water heaters are the biggest energy hogs in many households. According to Energy Star, they use up to 20% of your home's hot-water energy.
To reduce this, wrap your water heater in insulation to keep it from losing heat. You should also consider putting insulating sleeves over pipes that lead to and from your hot water heater and around any exposed pipe near your hot water tank.
For even more energy savings, you can upgrade your exiting water heater to an on-demand tankless water heater (if you have natural gas or propane on your home). Tankless water heaters only heat your homes water when its needed, as well as more efficient while in use.
Use Appliances During Off-Peak Hours
The best time to use appliances is during non-peak hours, because energy companies usually charge less for electricity when demand is lower. Most utility companies should have their non-peak hours posted online.
If you can't do laundry or run the dishwasher late at night, try doing these things as early as possible in the morning.
You can also try “Super Cooling”. Super Cooling takes advantage of the utility companies off peak hours by cooling your home during that time frame. Once On Peak hours start, your temperature is raised to a point where you’re A/C should not come on at all. If your home is properly insulated, you will stay comfortable all season long!
Change Your Air Filter
Another simple way to save money on your energy bill is to regularly change your HVAC air filter. It is one of the easiest things you can do to help reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility costs.
Every time the heating or cooling system runs, it pulls in dirty air from the outside and sends clean air back into your home. The filter holds on to all dust, pollen, pet dander, and other particles and starts to build up inside the heating/cooling coil that sits inside the unit.
Replacing your homes air filters
As the filter starts to clog, your HVAC unit has to work harder, using more energy. So, it makes sense that cleaner filters use less energy and will help keep your energy bills down. Routine HVAC maintenance is the best way to keep your filters clean.
Change the Settings on Your Thermostat
Changing the settings on your thermostat is one of the simplest adjustments you can make to lower your energy bill.
Lowering, or raising, the temperature by even a few degrees will help. You may not notice the temperature difference, but it will be noticeable on your utility bills. For example, dropping the thermostat by just 1°F can save up to 3% on heating or cooling costs.
Landscape for Shade
Landscaping around your home is a great way to conserve energy. Dense trees and shrubs can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter - a winning combination if you want to save money on your HVAC costs.
Replace Your Showerhead
The average shower head disburses 2.5 gallons of water per minute, that’s 25 gallons for a 10-minute shower. A high-efficiency shower head can reduce your water usage and save you money on your heating and water bill.
Use LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs are the latest development of lighting technology on the market today. They have a variety of benefits over traditional incandescent light bulbs, including lower energy use and longer life spans. They also emit less heat, which makes them safer to operate around children or pets.
Make Sure to Get HVAC Maintenance and Tune-Ups
An HVAC tune-up is a great way to reduce energy costs and keep your air conditioner running smoothly. The process typically involves cleaning, inspecting, and testing the equipment.
You'll benefit from lower bills and prevent any unexpected HVAC repairs later down the line.
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