Utilities like water, cable, electricity, gas and the internet are essential because they ensure your home runs smoothly. However, they usually draw up a lot of energy, to the extent that your energy bills could skyrocket, which can be financially draining.
For this reason, as a homeowner, you must know environmentally friendly ways to lower your bills. With that in mind, below are tips on saving energy that can help you cut your utility costs:
Use Energy-Efficient Bulbs
Incandescent lighting usually consumes a lot of electricity. Thus, consider light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which consume far less energy. They’re also durable and can serve you long before you need to replace them. You can get them in different shapes and colors, meaning you can choose your preferred type of lighting that enhances your home’s aesthetics.
Consider Purchasing Solar Panels
You can save money on utility bills by switching to renewable energy like solar energy. You can have solar panels installed on your roof. Then, purchase solar-powered appliances like CCTV cameras, chargers, bug zappers, coolers, and bulbs. Besides saving on electricity, they’ll assist in decreasing the carbon footprint.
- Replace Your Appliances With Energy-efficient Ones
New and efficient appliances can help you save your energy bills significantly. Thus, replace your old ones to lower your energy bills. Some things you can replace include:
- Dishwashers and washing machines: You can turn to efficient dishwashers and washing machines which utilize little energy and water.
- Showerhead: Go for an energy-efficient one to save bills and decrease the water you use. You can do this if you have a shower that gets hot water from the boiler.
Modern appliances consume less energy because they have a higher energy star rating of A+++. Ideally, appliances are usually examined to see if they’re energy efficient. The rating is usually given on a scale of A to G. In this case, products rated A are the most efficient. In contrast, those rated G are poor in efficiency. Thus, ensure that your appliance has higher ratings.
Turn Off Appliances
Ensure you turn off appliances like kettles, coffee makers, chargers, microwaves, Television, laptops, and monitors or phones when not in use. They can take a lot of energy even in the idle mode because they’ll still be drawing electric current.
Fix Leaks
Water leaks can overwork your hot water system, consuming energy. They make you heat a lot of water, most of it going to waste instead of being used. So, check your water systems to see if the faucet is working effectively and if the pipes are intact throughout. Or you can add an aerator on the faucets to decrease the water used. The aerator fixes the faucet head and adds air pressure to the water flow. Also, check the toilets and water to ensure no water leaks.
Use Water Cautiously
Water is another utility that’s mostly overused, which can increase your bills significantly. Thus, you can do the following to decrease your water bills:
- Use a basin when washing utensils instead of letting the water run from the tap
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
- You and your family should take short showers.
Undertaking proper habits helps you to save on your water bills.
Maintain Your HVAC
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC) can wear out. For this reason, they must be maintained to increase their lifespan and efficiency. Thus, consider the following practices:
- Clean your HVAC: Dust or dirt can get into the HVAC system, affecting its ability to function efficiently. So, clean filters once every month or so. Alternatively, you could buy new furnace filters monthly to ensure proper functioning.
- Fix leaking ductwork: It’ll help ensure efficient cool and warm air flow for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. You can cover and insulate them.
- Carefully use your thermostat: You can buy a modern thermostat to save on your energy bills. It usually detects when your home needs to heat up. It avoids the scenario where your heating system keeps warming the house when there’s no need to.
The HVAC system uses a lot of energy, which may increase your energy bills without maintenance.
Insulate Your Home
Insulation is another excellent way of saving on your energy bills. Moreover, it works for every season. In summer, it can cool down your home, and in winter, it warms up your home. Use high-quality materials like spray and form or eco-friendly ones like sheep’s wool, cellulose, and thermal cork. Insulation should be done all over your house – on the walls, roof, floor, and attic – to prevent air leaks that could lead to overworking your heating system.
Go For Double-Glazed Windows
A lot of warmth can be lost in your home with mono-glazed windows. Thus, consider upgrading to double-glazed windows that are energy efficient. They have two sheets of glass with a vacuum between them. Vacuum is a poor conductor of heat, thus impeding heat transfer across the window. It puts less strain on the HVAC system.
Request For Energy Audit
Request your bill from the energy companies to know how much energy you consume. Knowing your typical energy use enables you to strategize on saving measures and monitor the progress after some time. You can also ask the company if they have an energy price management plan so you can save money on your bills.
Conclusion
Saving on utility costs gives you extra money in your pocket, which you can use to do other things. Thus, always look for energy-efficient methods and use them to reduce your bills. There are plenty of options, as outlined above. Implement these first, and explore even more for further savings.
