Energy costs are a drain on every family’s budget. It’s worth the effort to make your home more energy-efficient. The changes you make don’t have to make your home uncomfortable. Instead, you can make some simple adjustments that will lower your energy bill. Try these five tips to cut down on your home’s power consumption.
Extra Insulation Makes Every Home More Energy-Efficient
The energy used by your heat and air conditioning is a large portion of your utility expenses. The more you can do to retain the warm or cold air produced by your HVAC, the lower your energy costs will be. Attics can be major points of energy loss, so the insulation needs to be intact and adequate. Outdated windows may have a lower insulation rating, so upgrading them is an investment in efficiency and appearance. If replacing the windows is not in the budget, you can replace the weatherstripping around them and add thermal drapes to insulate them.
Better Appliances Can Mean Big Savings
Every generation of appliances is more efficient than the previous one. Look for the ENERGY STAR certification when shopping for new appliances. Replacing water heaters, kitchen appliances, heat pumps, and many other appliances can save enough energy to help you recover your investment over time.
Change Your Light Bulbs to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient
Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs can give you the same level of illumination with lower energy consumption. It may seem minor to save a few cents here and there, but using efficient bulbs for every fixture in your home will quickly add up.
Reduce Hot Water Use
Your water heater consumes a lot of energy, so you can make your home more energy efficient by cutting back on hot water use. Do all your laundry in cold water. You’ll get the same results for less money. In the bathroom, upgrade to low-flow showerheads. They are easy to install and lower hot water use without affecting the quality or temperature of your shower.
Run Major Appliances in the Evening
An easy way to cut the cost of your energy without actually using less energy is to take advantage of variable rates. Some electricity providers charge lower rates in the evening and overnight when demand is lower and the system doesn’t have to work so hard to keep up. Wait until evening hours to dry clothes, wash dishes, or perform other household tasks. Also, this will help keep your home cooler in the warmer months
Making your home more energy-efficient takes a combination of strategies. By doing a little here and there, you can lower your energy bills.
GreenTech Home Inspections offers home inspection services to the Las Vegas area. Contact us to request an appointment.