Have you been wondering how to save energy in your home? Or if trying to do so will help trim money from your budget? There are definitely some things you can do to help cut costs – we will give you a guide to help in the process.
One thing to remember as we cover some of these home improvements… they may sound too expensive. You may be tempted to wonder if you will gain enough to make the work pay off.
Put simply: Doing these things will save you money. The government published information in 2016 that shows the average home can save more than $1,100 annually by making energy improvements.
Save Energy with Your HVAC
Thinking about upgrading your HVAC may send shivers down your spine. That’s OK, your reaction is understandable. It would be just fine to table this suggestion for some time down the road.
But don’t abandon it completely! If the right unit is installed in your home, this upgrade can help you save energy significantly. While you’re saving up for that new unit, don’t forget that regular maintenance of your current unit. Replacing old filter is an inexpensive way to gain efficiency.
Insulate Yourself
We’re not talking here about shutting yourself into the house and becoming a hermit. If you need to insulate yourself that way, I guess that’s fine too. But for this list, let’s take a look at replacing the insulation in your home.
Especially a good thing to consider for older homes, this is something you should take a look at for newer ones as well. Sometimes new construction will cut corners and use a cheaper product and upgrading here can be a great way to save.
For older homes, it is a good way to refresh old insulation and upgrade to something that is more effective. Sometimes it’s less about poor craftsmanship and more about what they may have had available at the time the home was built.
Upgrade the Appliances
This may be one of those suggestions you were hoping to see make the list. If so, your wish is granted! Modernizing a kitchen can with the latest tech-savvy appliances can be a great way to add value to your home for resale down the road.
But it can also help if you plan to stay by adding some energy-efficient appliances to your home. Make sure you pay attention to the efficiency rating of the models while you shop and bring home something that can start saving with the first wash cycle.
If you’re not quite ready to give up on your appliances, consider working in a pattern of washing the dishes by hand a couple of times a week. If you typically only run the machine 4-5 times a week, you just doubled its efficiency.
However, if you’re itching for that upgrade, consider the next tip before you buy.
Whole-Home Automation
Since we just touched on modernizing your appliances, let’s expand the reach a bit and talk about modernizing your entire home with smart home technology. Installing a system that is capable of changing the thermostat settings remotely is a great way to save energy.
On a cold day, there is a temptation for most home-owners to leave the heat on as they head off to work. With remote temperature control, you can start warming up your home while you drive home and save on the cost of heating an empty house.
Treat Your Windows
Upgrading your windows may be something to consider. Home automation comes into play here too. There are window treatments available that can be controlled via remote.
When closed, they have the benefit of keeping your house cool in the summer as well as adding some aesthetic value to your home.
Brighten Things Up
Consider converting your whole house to LED bulbs. That may seem like an overly simplistic approach to consider when looking for ways to save energy. But the reality is this change is remarkably effective.
If you are unfamiliar with the benefits of LED lights vs the traditional incandescent bulbs, here are a few of the facts as provided by energy.gov.
- LED lights use 72-80% less energy
- Life of the bulb is increased almost exponentially. 1,000 hours for traditional incandescent and 25,000 hrs for LED.
It is pretty easy to calculate the dollar impact for this home improvement tip. And one of the best things about it is you can do it yourself. You may not have the skills to climb into the attic and change the HVAC, but climbing onto a chair to change a light bulb is probably within your reach (no pun intended).
Create New Habits
We’ve worked our way back from some of the most expensive things you can do to some of the least expensive. This last tip requires the least amount of effort and absolutely no monetary investment.
Because so much of your energy budget is tied up in heating and cooling your home, a simple adjustment to your thermostat can save you monthly. Turn it up slightly in the summer. You don’t need to roast, but a change of a degree or two can be impactful. The same is true in reverse for the winter months.
Keep the lights off throughout the home. Yes, even those cool new LED lights save you more money when they’re off than when they are on. If you get used to switching off the light as you leave the room it can create a good habit that your wallet will thank you for.
Time to Start Saving
We’ve taken a look at some options that range from moderately expensive to imminently affordable. One thing to remember as you shop for the right mix of products in your home, is there are some great rebate incentives available through the government.
Programs like that make it possible to afford even the most expensive of upgrades. There are some great options available for you to save energy starting right away. Contact us today so we can begin the journey with you!
