The cost of living is rising, and it's not just the price of food that has increased. The cost of energy bills is also on the rise. It's a common trend, with prices going up every year or so. This is bad news for homeowners who want to keep their houses warm in winter and cool in summer while still saving money! If you're looking for ways to save money on your monthly energy bill without sacrificing comfort at home, then this blog post is for you! We've compiled 30 different tips that will help make your new home more efficient while saving you some cash along the way!
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1. Clean your furnace filter regularly.
One of the biggest culprits of excess energy consumption is a dirty furnace filter. A clogged and dirty filter can reduce the airflow to your furnace, causing it to work harder than necessary and wasting fuel as a result. This not only causes higher utility bills but also reduces equipment life expectancy due to overwork! Therefore, you should schedule a regular replacement for your filters.
2. Install a programmable thermostat
Don't like getting up early to turn the heat down before you go to work? Or perhaps your schedule is too unpredictable and it's difficult for you to keep track of when to change between heating and cooling modes? A programmable thermostat can solve all these problems! You can program this device with a daily routine that includes temperatures in both summer and winter, and it's small enough to fit on your wall without you even noticing! It may seem like a simple purchase at first, but it can reduce the cost of energy bills by up to $180 per year!
Programmable thermostats are available in most home improvement stores. They're very easy to install and only take around 30 minutes of your time.
3. Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED or CFL lights
Incandescent bulbs are the least efficient light source currently on the market. This means that they waste a lot of energy, which is converted to heat instead of visible light. The higher your home's ambient temperature, the more you have to run air conditioning units just to compensate for heating costs due to lighting! Therefore it makes sense that replacing incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL lights can reduce your monthly energy bills significantly.
LED and CFL lights use around 80% less electricity than incandescent light sources, so they're a very cost-effective way to lower power consumption in the long run! You'll also notice that these types of lighting last much longer as well, even though you may have to invest a little more money on them at first.
If you're not sure which type of lighting is best for your home, check with an energy assessor as they'll be able to give you advice based on your needs and budget concerns!
4. Keep windows closed during cold weather, open them on warm days to let heat escape from the house
This is a pretty simple way but it's one that many people overlook. If you keep your windows closed during cold weather, then heat from your house will escape through the window frames and into the outside air. This causes your furnace to work harder in order for you to feel warm inside! However, if you open up those same windows on warmer days, then the heat can escape from your house into the outside air instead. This helps to reduce heating costs and keep you comfortable without having to run your furnace so often!
This tip is particularly helpful if you have a split-level home because it's difficult for heat to travel up and down all those floors, leaving some areas feeling warmer than others.
5. Turn off appliances when not in use
This is another very simple way that can help you save energy at home. Many appliances continue to draw electricity even when they're not in use, sometimes as much as 20% of the total energy consumption! This includes items like microwaves, televisions, and stereos - so be sure to turn these off at night or when leaving home for extended periods of time.
Fridges are one appliance that you should never turn off because they need to be running constantly in order to stay cool and keep food fresh! However, all other appliances can easily be turned on again within a few minutes so there's no reason why you shouldn't do it unless of course the item has been damaged beyond repair or is simply too old to work anymore.
6. Replace old appliances with new, more energy-efficient ones that have timers
Another way is to replace old appliances with new, more high-tech versions that have built-in timers. This means they'll power down automatically after being idle for an hour or so - meaning you don't need to worry about them wasting electricity anymore! If ever there was an excuse to splurge on an expensive new appliance, this would be it!
7. Invest in a power meter
If you want to monitor how much energy your appliances are using, then purchase a power meter. This will help you identify which items use the most electricity so that you can switch them off at night or when they're not in use for extended periods of time. It's also useful for keeping an eye on how much money you're spending on different appliances throughout the year.
8. Do not leave refrigerator doors open for long periods of time
This is a simple yet effective way to reduce energy costs. You'll find that most modern fridges have an automatic light and/or ice maker so there's no need to open the door every time you want something from inside! If you're lucky enough, purchase one with a built-in water filter too because these can save up to 100 gallons of water per day!
If you are thirsty, open the door for less than 30 seconds to grab a drink. It really is that easy and it will save you money in the long run!
9. Use a power strip
Purchase a power strip so you can switch everything off at the same time instead of having to do it one by one. You can also get surge protectors that shut themselves down after being idle for an hour or so, making it more convenient to save energy.
This is particularly useful if there are certain appliances that you use regularly, like your television or computer. Just remember to switch them off at the power strip every time so they don't waste energy while not in use!
10. Use fans instead of air conditioning units
In the summer months, air conditioners can be a huge drain on your energy bill. However, if you open up those same windows and use fans instead of AC units to keep cool during hot weather conditions then this will help to reduce heating costs and keep you comfortable without having to run your furnace so often!
11. Install timers that automatically turn off lights after you've left the room
Install timers that automatically turn off your lamps or overhead lighting so they don't waste electricity while not in use. This is a simple yet effective way to save money and keep things looking great too! If ever there was an excuse to splurge on new furniture, this would be it!
12. Use more natural light
If you have large windows, make sure they are opened up wide during the day so that sunlight can fill your home with warmth and comfort instead of using energy-hogging lamps or overhead lighting units - it's a win/win situation! This is one way to keep things looking great while saving money too!
13. Do not let the heat escape
During cold winter months, make sure that you close your windows and doors tightly before turning on central heating because this will ensure all of the warm air stays inside and keeps you nice and toasty without having to run your furnace as often! This is a great way to save money while keeping yourself comfortable too.
14. Wash laundry in cold water and avoid using the dryer when possible
Washing your clothes in cold water is a great way to reduce energy costs because it will save you money on heating bills. Additionally, try not to use your dryer all of the time - just hang up clothing outside or over indoor drying racks instead! When possible, simply use a fan to help speed up the drying process.
15. Use less hot water in your shower
One of the easiest ways to reduce energy costs and save yourself some cash on heating bills during winter months is by using less hot water when taking showers or baths - simply turn it down a bit, you'll be glad you did!
16. Don't let the sun bake your home, use window treatments
Use blinds or drapes to cover up large windows and doors during sunny summer months because they will help keep you cool instead of letting all that heat inside and wasting energy by running your furnace more often - what a fantastic way to save money!
17. Get insulation for your home
Adding more insulation to the walls, attic, or crawl space of your home will help keep warm summer air inside during hot weather conditions and it'll also save money on heating bills because you won't have to use central heating as often - what a great way to reduce energy costs!
18. Make sure your heating system has enough airflow
Make sure that you have ample airflow around all of your heaters so as to reduce the chances of malfunction during cold weather months. If you can, try to position your heaters in rooms where there is already adequate airflow - this will help reduce the chances of malfunction.
19. Get a new water heater
Replacing an old, inefficient water heater is one of the best ways to save money on heating bills during winter months because it uses much less energy which means you'll keep more cash in your wallet each month too - what's not to love?
20. Keep your thermostat set at a steady temperature
Setting your thermostat to stay on for 23 hours and 45 minutes each day is the best way to reduce energy costs because it will help keep you warm or cool throughout the entire house evenly instead of having some areas too hot while others are still cold - what a great idea!
21. Install low flow showerheads
Installing new, low-flow showerheads is an excellent way to save money on heating bills because it reduces the amount of water you use in one session and that saves energy compared to traditional models which waste more water and cost more in terms of your energy bill.
22. Seal doors and windows for drafts
Sealing any holes, cracks, or gaps in windows and doors with high-quality caulk will help reduce drafts that cause a lot of heat to escape your home during cooler weather conditions. This can also help save money on your heating costs.
23. Get an energy audit
Getting an energy audit from the professionals at your local power company is one of the best ways to save money on heating bills because they will identify any areas where energy is being wasted and make recommendations for how you can reduce your monthly bill. Also, they will inspect your appliances and heating system to ensure they are working properly.
24. Plant deciduous trees
Planting more deciduous trees around the outside of your home will help shade it from warm sunlight during the summer months while also letting light in and keeping you warmer during wintertime - what a great way to save some cash on energy costs! It can also help our environment by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into our atmosphere.
25. Do Full Loads of Laundry
Don't run the washer or dishwasher with partial loads of dishes or clothes. If you have a newer, energy-efficient machine that can fit more into each load then go for it; however if not, use your appliances to their fullest potential. This also helps prevent wasting detergent and water on less than full loads which save money in the end.
26. Air-Dry Clothes
Air drying your clothes can save a lot of energy. You don’t have to waste money on the dryer and you won't be using any electricity at all! Just make sure that you hang them outside in direct sunlight for maximum sun exposure which will also help kill germs, bacteria, and other microbes that might be hanging around.
The key to saving money and living comfortably is in making your home energy efficient. Think about the 30 tips we've shared today, take them into consideration when you're next renovating or buying a new house, and enjoy lower utility bills for years to come!
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