Tired of high energy bills at home? Here are five simple things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient.
If your home energy bills seem out of control, there is no need to panic. In fact, there are many things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient than ever before – and reduce your short- and long-term energy costs.
On average, American homeowners pay approximately $115.49 per month for electricity. They also pay an average of $72.10 per month for natural gas. These expenses can add up quickly, especially for homeowners who fail to keep a close eye on them.
It may seem tough to manage your electricity, gas, and other energy costs. But, homeowners who recognize the value of maintaining energy-efficient residences can simultaneously lower their energy consumption and monthly bills.
How to maximize your home’s efficiency
There are many things you can do to improve energy efficiency across your house’s, such as:
1. Install programmable thermostats
Programmable thermostats are readily available and easy to install, and they can help you drastically lower your energy expenses. A programmable thermostat allows you to heat and cool different areas of your home based on their times you’re there.
So, if you are away at work for most of the day, you can program your thermostat accordingly. This ensures you can cut your energy consumption and heating and cooling costs at the same time.
Along with programmable thermostats, “smart” thermostats are becoming top choices for homeowners. Smart thermostats can be controlled via a smartphone or tablet app, and they ensure homeowners can adjust their house’s temperature from any location, at any time. That way, homeowners can use smart thermostats to manage their heating and cooling like never before.
2. Seal your doors and windows
Heavy use of doors and windows can cause their seals to wear down. Fortunately, if you seal your doors and windows, you can correct air leaks that can otherwise cause your energy bills to rise.
To identify air leaks, close all doors and windows in your home. Next, turn on all exhaust fans in your home. If exhaust fans are unavailable, you can light an incense stick and move it around doors and windows; if the smoke disappears around doors and windows, leaks are present.
You can easily seal doors and windows with weather-stripping. Or, you can re-caulk doors and windows to help seal out drafts.
3. Replace your incandescent light bulbs
LED light bulbs offer excellent replacements for incandescent options, due in large part to their efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy notes LEDs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. It also points out that LED bulbs tend to last three to 25 times longer than incandescent varieties.
Replacing even a single incandescent bulb with an LED one can deliver huge cost savings. So, if you substitute all of your home’s incandescent bulbs with LED options, you may be well-equipped to lower your energy costs going forward.
4. Use solar panels
Solar panels offer several benefits relative to home energy usage. They enable your home to produce energy on sunny and cloudy days alike. Plus, solar panels help the environment and can help you boost the value of your residence.
Let’s not forget about the tax credits and rebates available to those who purchase solar panels, either. The solar Investment Tax Credit offers a 26% tax credit to homeowners who begin a solar system project this year and a 22% tax credit to homeowners who start a solar system project next year. Solar tax credits are also available to homeowners in Florida and other states.
4. Conduct a home energy audit
A home energy audit allows you to learn about your home’s inefficiencies – and find ways to address these issues. If you have your home inspected by a professional energy auditor, you can quickly pinpoint ways to increase your home’s efficiency.
Typically, a home energy audit will take several hours to complete, but you may benefit from the inspection results now and in the future. During the assessment, an auditor will examine the attic, basement, and other areas of your home, along with your water heater and furnace. If the auditor identifies any efficiency issues, you will be notified about them immediately. Also, the auditor can provide tips and recommendations to help you permanently correct these issues.
Want to enhance your home’s efficiency? Universal Electrical Services can help
Don’t let high energy bills get the best of you – instead, take advantage of these tips, and you can boost your home’s efficiency.
Of course, if you want additional help with improving your home’s efficiency, the Universal Electrical Services team is available. Our team can perform electrical installations designed to help you optimize your home’s efficiency. Or, if you want to upgrade existing electrical fixtures or upgrade to LEDs, we’re ready to help.
UES is available to discuss your residential electrical service needs. To learn more about our residential electrical services or to request a free quote, please contact us today.
