Everyone enjoys saving money, and one of the best ways is to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Since heating and cooling accounts for approximately 50% of typical energy bills, it is possible to make some excellent savings. Making your home more efficient need not cost the earth, and there are some simple strategies that can make a significant impact on your utility bills.
Routine Maintenance:
One of the best and simplest strategies to boost the energy efficiency of your home is routine maintenance. From changing your air filters regularly to caulking up any potential air leaks, you can make a real difference in your energy bills. It is good practice to check the seals on your doors and windows, so your conditioned air is not being lost. You can also save energy when you need to change a lightbulb by upgrading to LED bulbs. Although LED bulbs do tend to cost a little more initially, they can last more than five years and offer significant energy savings.
Use New Technology:
Although there is an initial cost associated with upgrading to new technology, it can pay dividends in the long run. For example, programmable thermostats have increased in popularity in recent years. These devices offer not only great convenience, but they can also promote excellent energy efficiency. Newer model thermostats or smart models can make it easy to make energy savings. These types of thermostats take note of your habits and behavior, making intuitive changes so you can enjoy great energy efficiency without compromising your comfort. You can even use a smartphone app or the internet to gain remote access to your air conditioner settings, so even when you’re not home, you don’t have to worry that you forgot to adjust your thermostat settings.
Get Your HVAC System Serviced:
Finally, one of the most effective ways to boost the energy efficiency of your home is to get your HVAC system serviced. Over time, even the best system can lose efficiency. Components are not designed to have an unlimited lifespan, and as they start to become worn, efficiency is steadily compromised. This means that your HVAC system is forced to work harder and harder to maintain your desired thermostat settings. While it may seem counterintuitive to pay for a professional HVAC service when you are trying to save money, it could easily pay for itself in energy savings. The technician will inspect your HVAC system and ensure that it is operating at peak efficiency. You can also enjoy preventative maintenance to reduce the risk of a cascade failure compromising your system.
Boosting the energy efficiency of your home need not be a tedious task or cost a fortune. By using these simple strategies, you could find that you see a significant drop in your energy bills and can create a greener home. You can also take this one step further with a home energy survey to determine if there are even more ways you can reduce your energy usage, saving even more money.