Energy Saving Tips: Check your Home
One of the best ways to save money in the long run is to make sure that your home is as well-insulated as possible, so that you are not losing heat in places that you don’t need to.
The best way to do this is to have an energy audit. This involves having a professional come and look at your home, and judge what can be done to make it more efficient. This can include:
- Improving your windows.
- In colder areas, getting state of the art gas-filled windows with “low-e” coatings can help significantly improve the efficiency of the window.
- In hotter areas, “low-e” windows can help reflect heat, saving you money on air-conditioning electricity.
- Insulating your attic.
- As hot air rises, the attic is a big place for heat loss. Insulating your attic can reduce this dramatically.
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Energy Efficiency: Check your Appliances
As technology improves, appliances tend to use less energy, so if you have any that are over ten years old, it may be worth investing in a new one to save you money in the long run.
Also look out for appliances with the efficient Energy Star logo, as these are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy for being the most efficient products available. These include:
Washing machines.
The most up to date and efficient washing machines are able to clean your clothes at a cold wash as well as a hot wash. As most of the energy spent washing your clothes is used on heating water, this will save you a lot of money in the long run.
HVAC system.
Upgrading your air conditioner and making sure that your home doesn’t lose air through holes or leaks can go a long way to making sure that you are not spending too much on your energy plans.
Refrigerator.
If your refrigerator is from before 1993, it uses twice the amount of electricity as a decent new one bought today, so definitely consider buying a new one.
Light bulbs
Newer compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), are available in most fittings, meaning it is just an easy switch with your old bulbs. They use 70% less electricity, and last up to ten times longer than traditional filament bulbs.
How to Save Energy at Home: Small Tips to Save You Money
On top of upgrading your home and appliances, changing some of your day-to-day habits at home can help cut down you’re your energy usage and, as a result, your bills.
- Turn your thermostat down
- Make sure to turn off lights when you are not in the room.
- Turn off fans when you are not in the room.
- Fans do not actually cool down the temperature of your room, but blow air around. They also give off heat energy, meaning it will actually be cooler if you turn them off when you are not using it.
- Hang dry your clothes.
- Hanging your clothes rather than putting them in a dryer is a good way to save on energy. This is great to do especially if you live in a warmer part of the country.
Money Saving Tips: Switch your Supplier
Switching your energy supplier can help you save on your energy bills, and is easy to do. The best way to do this is to compare energy online using our price comparison tool.
Type in your zip code to find out what is available where you live, and you can compare energy rates from different providers. This will allow you to choose the best deal to suit your household’s needs.
