Are you interested in learning how to make your home energy efficient? With the summer fast approaching and electricity prices steadily on the rise, we’re all at the mercy of utility companies. As a result, it’s up to us to make the changes necessary to put a dent in that mountain masquerading as an electricity bill.
No one should have to suffer through the heat, but they also shouldn’t have to empty their bank accounts every time they pay for their electricity. Thankfully, we’ve come up with ten tips that you can use to make your home more energy-efficient. They range in difficulty and effectiveness, but if you do enough of them, you will definitely see an improvement in your monthly electricity costs.
Perform an Energy Audit
An energy audit simply tells you how much electricity you’re using and which items in your home are the biggest energy drains. This can be extremely helpful in determining where you need to make changes.
Thankfully, getting this information is easier than you’d think. Most electricity companies offer it for free, so just give them a call.
Adjust Your Thermostat
This may sound obvious, but HVAC systems use a lot of energy. The more often you use it, the higher your electricity bill is going to be. So, you might consider adjusting the thermostat a little bit.
Obviously, you don’t want to be miserable, but there may be a happy medium between your comfort and energy consciousness that you haven’t found yet. Try moving it one degree at a time until you find the temperature that’s right for you.
And don’t forget to turn lower the thermostat or turn it off when you leave for extended periods. You don’t need to regulate the temperature in an empty house.
Seal Your Windows
Sealing the cracks and leaks in your windows will stop the cold air from getting out and the hot air from getting in. This will take some burden off your air conditioner, ultimately saving you money on electricity.
Don’t Run the Dishwasher Until it’s Full
Many people like to wash dishes daily, even when the dishwasher isn’t full. But large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and driers use a lot of energy. If you wait until the dishwasher is fully loaded, you’ll do fewer loads per week, saving you a little bit of money on your utility bill.
Use Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs
A little goes a long way when you’re trying to become more energy efficient. Buying eco-friendly lightbulbs is a small step toward much more significant changes. It’s a simple trick. Energy-efficient bulbs just use less electricity than standard bulbs.
Unplug Appliances and Chargers You Aren’t Using
Obviously, you can’t unplug your refrigerator or clocks because those are constantly in use. But what about your coffee pot and phone chargers? What about your computers, televisions, and lamps?
If something is plugged into an electrical outlet, it’s draining energy. Unplug it and pocket the savings!
Wash Your Clothes with Cold Water Only
When you wash your clothes in hot water, it requires the use of your hot water heater. Hot water heaters are another significant drain on utility costs. So, when you use only cold water, you aren’t utilizing an extra appliance, and your clothes still get clean.
Beef Up Your Insulation
Insulation keeps the cold air in and the hot air out. When your insulation isn’t up to snuff, it doesn’t do its job, and your air conditioner is forced into overdrive to try to compensate. If you beef up your insulation, you won’t have to worry so much about the heat, and your wallet will thank you.
Turn Things Off
This sounds obvious, but if you leave a room, turn things off. This goes for lights, appliances, televisions, and anything else in the room. If no one’s using it, you’re just wasting electricity by keeping it plugged in.
Get Solar Power
This one is a bit expensive but can save you loads of money on electricity. The state of Florida even has incentives and rebates available to help you make the switch. If you decide to go with solar energy, you can generate your own electricity, and you may not have to pay a utility company ever again. Doesn’t that sound amazing?
Looking for an Energy-Efficient Home?
Making big changes to your electricity bill takes small, consistent steps. But if you’d rather skip all the work and just find a new home that’s already equipped with state-of-the-art energy-efficient technology, then you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient home in Jacksonville or anywhere in Northeast Florida, contact the Welch Team today. We’d be happy to help!
