A lower energy bill means a more sustainable way of living and lower expenses. If this sounds attractive to you, have a look at some of the ways in which you can save money around your home by lowering your energy bills.
Service Your Air Conditioner Regularly
The first thing you need to do in order to cut your energy costs at home is to service your air conditioner on a regular basis. This is generally the most frequently used appliance in many homes, so it’s also likely to be one that can cost you a lot in terms of energy. Appliances that are functioning optimally generally need less energy to run, so you should not delay servicing them. According to the United States Department of Energy, a central air conditioner has a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years. Keep this in mind as well, so that you can replace it when you need to and not keep it long after you should have disposed of it. Identifying whether your unit is strained can be helpful in your decision.
Change Your Light Bulbs
If your home still has traditional light bulbs, you may be surprised at the savings that you can make if you change them to light-emitting diode bulbs. These consume less power and emit less heat. They also last for a longer time without needing replacement, so they are also friendlier to the environment. All of these benefits point towards higher energy efficiency in your home as part of a larger effort, so don’t take it for granted at all. The best thing about this specific fix is that you can do it yourself without the need for any specialized equipment or knowledge.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
Another thing that you need to do is to get a programmable thermostat. This is a smart home device that can save $180 annually alongside other smart home devices. While the efforts made by using them may be minimal, they are a worthy addition to your home thanks to the convenience and safety that they provide. Shop for one that you can adjust via the internet while outside the home to make sure that you truly feel the positive impact that it has by the time you get home. Do some research before settling on one and you may have an easier time getting the best one on the market.
Invest in Power Strips
Leaving electronics plugged into power takes up a significant amount of energy as these appliances are still consuming power to stay in standby mode. When you get a power strip to plug your appliances into, you can turn everything off with the flip of a single switch. This can take away the inconvenience of going through the house turning off individual items and disconnecting them from the power. For the price that it costs you, a power strip will likely be the best investment that you make for your home in terms of energy.
Use Your Appliances More Efficiently
Finally, while your appliances may be in an efficient state, you may be using them inefficiently and therefore costing yourself money that you should be saving. This is something to keep in mind because making the switch to high-efficiency air conditioners and also taking other steps to cool your home can reduce the energy you use for air conditioning by between 20% and 50%. After you get the most efficient appliances, avoid running special treatments for each load for things like the dishwasher and washing machine. Also, choose to air-dry clothes or dry the dishes with a towel once they’re clean. Such small measures improve your efficiency and are generally good habits to form.
In these ways, you can save a considerable amount of money around the house. You will notice the positive impact and enjoy it a lot as you get better at living an energy-efficient life.