Saving money on your energy bills doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a lot of simple things you can do to reduce your energy use, save money on your bills, and help the environment.
Here are tips to get you started and help you on your way to low energy bills.
Get an Energy Audit
The first thing to do is get an energy audit. An energy audit will tell you where your biggest energy-loss culprits are and what you can do to fix them. You can do it yourself, but it’s easier with a professional.
A good energy auditor will look at the whole house and recommend ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. They’ll also recommend specific repairs, such as sealing leaks in your ductwork or installing new insulation in your attic.
You’ll come away with a list of recommendations to help you reduce your energy consumption. Of course, it might involve investing money to implement the suggestions. But many home improvements pay for themselves within two years by generating low energy bills.
Make Sure Your Home is Insulated
Insulation prevents heat from escaping through the walls of your house during winter and keeps heat inside during summer. This means less power is needed for heating or cooling and less money spent on bills.
In addition, insulation keeps your home comfortable year-round. You can lower your thermostat by a few degrees during the summer or winter, saving you even more money on energy bills!
Moreover, insulating your home also helps reduce noise pollution and lower moisture levels preventing mold growth.
Insulate Your Water Heater
The secret to low energy bills is to insulate your water heater. It’s a simple, no-cost way to reduce the heat lost through your hot water pipes, which means less work for your furnace or air conditioner.
Use Appliances During Off-Peak Hours
One simple way to save money on your electric bill is to use appliances during off-peak hours. This means that instead of running the dishwasher or washing machine and other major appliances like the dryer, you should wait until 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., when most people are not as active, and demand for electricity is lower.
Change Your Air Filter
The air filter in your HVAC system is one of the most essential parts of the unit, and it can also be one of the easiest to forget about.
But when you don’t change your filters regularly, you’re essentially letting dust and dirt build up inside your system. This can cause problems with efficiency, which means you’ll be paying more for your electricity bill than you need to.
The best way to keep your filters clean is to schedule regular HVAC maintenance.
Lower the Settings on Your Thermostat
Lowering the temperature by just a few degrees can make a big difference in your energy bill. And chances are you won’t even feel the difference.
Landscape for Shade
Shade trees and dense scrub can save you money on your energy bills by reducing your air conditioner usage in the summer as the trees block out some of the heat. They also insulate your home by adding a layer of protection between your home and the cold weather conditions. And the best thing is, they also add curb appeal to your home.
Replace Your Showerhead
Replacing your old showerhead with a low-flow model can help you save money on water and energy costs by reducing both water consumption and energy use from heating that water.
Use LED Light Bulbs
LED lighting is an energy-efficient alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs and CFLs. In addition, LED light bulbs are designed to last a long time, and they don’t contain mercury like some other types of bulbs.
Make Sure to Get HVAC Maintenance and Tune-Ups
A HVAC tune-up is one of the best ways to make sure your energy bill stays low. Regular maintenance extends the life of your equipment by keeping it free from dirt, dust, lint, and other contaminants that build up over time. This reduces wear on moving parts and makes it easier for the unit to run properly. The harder the unit has to work, the more energy is used.
An HVAC system working at peak efficiency means lower utility bills for you.
Need HVAC maintenance? Get affordable HVAC care with the professionals at Sierra.
