Energy Bill
Throughout the year, energy costs will rise and lower based on what’s being used in the home. Over longer periods of time, energy costs can slowly rise based on a number of different factors. For today’s homeowners, it’s increasingly important to pay attention to energy use and costs, and to know what to do to help lower the price without sacrificing comfort. The following can help.
Check Electricity Rates
After being with the same provider for at least a few years, energy rates may have increased. This can have a significant impact on the amount paid each month, so it may be time to look around and see the rates for other providers. This could help save on your power bill by making it possible to find a provider with lower rates and potentially better benefits.
Have HVAC Maintenance Done
The HVAC system typically accounts for the largest percentage of the energy bill because of how much energy it uses to operate. Having the HVAC system maintained at least yearly helps to ensure it is running as efficiently as possible, which helps to reduce the amount of energy used and lower the power bills. It is recommended to have a professional handle the maintenance to make sure it’s done right.
Seal Potential Leaks Around the Home
Windows and doors can allow air in or out of the home, which impacts whether it’s able to hold the right temperature easily. If there are leaks around the home, it is a good idea to seal them to reduce airflow and help the temperature stay consistent. This leads to the HVAC system being used less, which helps save money.
Add to the Insulation
If the insulation in the home isn’t sufficient, energy could be wasted trying to heat and cool the home. It’s a good idea to check the insulation to see if there is enough and, if not, add more. This is one way to start seeing savings right away, as the home will stay at a more comfortable temperature more easily. As a bonus, the HVAC system will have less wear and tear because it won’t work as hard to keep the home at the right temperature.
Use Sunlight and Ceiling Fans
Using the sunlight to warm up the home and ceiling fans to move air throughout the home can help to reduce the amount the HVAC system is used to keep the home at the right temperature. This can reduce how much is paid to heat and cool the home throughout the year.
Unplug Energy Vampires
Throughout the home, there are energy vampires. These are devices that are plugged in even when they aren’t in use, and that use energy even when they aren’t being used. Phone charges, for instance, can waste energy if they’re plugged in but no one is using them to charge their phones. Unplugging these devices can make it easier to save money each month.
If energy costs seem to be increasing year over year, it may be time to make some changes. This could help reduce the amount you pay each month without having to sacrifice your comfort. Take the time to implement each of the tips here to see how much of an impact they can have and how much you could start to save each month.
