When you’re renting, and sometimes sharing with others, energy bills are divided up which makes them more manageable. However, as a homeowner, that’s no longer the case. It’s at this point that you fully appreciate how costly it can be to heat, cool, and supply electricity to your home.
If this is bumming you out, then we’re here to help. Here are four quick tips to assist you in cutting the energy costs in your home.
1. Replace the Windows with Energy Efficient Ones
If you have a broken pane or two, or ancient window frames that are struggling to hold each pane firmly in place, then it’s time to think about a change. While there are different glass types to consider, the type that’s gaining traction with homeowners is energy-efficient ones. Both the window frame materials and the glass pane itself can be selected to fit perfectly inside each window bay but also prevent air leaks at the same time. This ensures that warmth in the colder months and cooling in the hotter ones isn’t lost. As a result, energy costs decline through reduced usage.
2. Adjust the Thermostat
Many of us are guilty of liking our homes to be too toasty in the winter months. We like to curl up on the sofa and enjoy central heating that’s radiating warmth across every room. It’s only in the new year when the bill eventually appears that we’re filled with a regret.
A better idea is to adjust the thermostat down a few degrees lower than we’d usually set it to. Take advantage of a rug on the floor to keep the feet warmer, a throw on the sofa, or even a blanket. Add an extra layer to what you’d normally wear rather than relying on the heating to keep you toasty warm. It may seem old-fashioned, but for many of us, it’s how our grandparents did it and kept the bills manageable.
3. Replace Old Appliances with Energy Efficient Ones
Older appliances were not always very energy efficient. But we’ve probably kept them anyways to get the most life out of them before they die out. This may sound like a good decision, but it’s costing you through a higher energy bill.
Consider replacing the worst offenders. You can look up the energy usage of an appliance and compare it to a new, greener one. That will make it much clearer how much not replacing aging appliances is costing you every year.
4. Turn Your Water Heater Down Too
The water heater is often set once and completely forgotten about. This can lead to regularly heating large bodies of water at a high temperature to be able to pipe steaming water through the heating system or to supply bathwater.
Turning it down a few notches isn’t going to be that noticeable, but it will surely reduce the energy bill.
It’s not difficult to save on energy costs. Certainly, some upgrades cost money initially but the savings over the years once they’re installed can be impressive.
