Being energy efficient can seem costly if your options seem to be limited to solar power and rainwater harvesting systems, but making a few changes around the home can mean dropping bills and giving the environment a little bit of a boost.
Whenever you plan to make your home more energy efficient, you should know your home energy score to identify areas for improvement that will lower your utility bills. You can contact a company that calculates the Bend Home Energy Score (or wherever you live) based on the size of the home, the age of the property, the type of appliances, and the type of insulation installed in the home. In response to the results, you can take the necessary steps to improve your energy efficiency. Here are a few tips for saving on your home energy bill.
Buy the right utilities
Making sure you have the right utilities is going to pay-off wonders when looking to make a home more energy efficient.
Each type of utility, a washing machine, tumble dryer, and even microwave will have an energy efficient rating. Generally, these go from A to G, with some utilities moving up to an A+++ rating; either way, the higher the energy efficiency rating, the less water or electricity it will use to get the job done and the better it is for the environment.
You can also look for the same energy grading in the HVAC system, and if your existing unit doesn’t have one, consider getting a new HVAC installed. You can check out companies like Aquidneck Services or similar others to get assistance with heating and cooling system installation and replacement, along with facilities like duct system repair, oil to gas conversion, water heating repair, and more. With the help of a professional, you can ensure all your home appliances are working efficiently to save you utility bills.
Install insulation
Insulation can cost up to 300 to install, whether in the roof or the walls. However, ensuring that it is installed can drop heating bills by around 200 a year, so in a couple of years it’ll have paid for itself.
Cavity wall and loft insulation works by trapping heat within the home meaning that heating can be on a lower level.
Some energy companies will also offer free installation for any households deemed to be ‘vulnerable’. This could be low income families or the elderly, as well any introductory offers that also include installation.
Make sure your windows are sealed
Sealed windows are another way to trap heat within the home. Even the smallest gaps, maybe not noticeable to the untrained eye, are going to let in a breeze and result in heating being turned up, costing more and ultimately escaping the house in the end anyway.
Sealing a window needn’t be expensive and the seals themselves can be bought from any decent DIY shop and normally cut to fit the size of a window.
Maintain your home’s HVAC system
A home’s HVAC system is one of the most frequently used, so the energy bills racked up can be quite expensive. But there are ways to reduce energy consumption. For starters, keep a tab on the health of your HAVC systems. Usually, appliances that are not serviced at regular intervals affect the utility bills inversely. One way to prevent this could be by opting for regular HVAC inspections.
HVAC systems can be complex, and homeowners may need expert assistance to conduct a thorough inspection. When you call in professionals, they can assess the situation right, and inform you about the condition of the appliance — if tune-ups or repairs are needed. This can be better understood by taking the example of a boiler or air conditioner in your house. Say that for the past two months, you have been noticing your boiler or airconditioner taking time to heat water or cool rooms. The same month you find a rise in your energy bills. This can be an indicator of underlying problems with these HVAC appliances. Hence, getting in touch with a professional who can inspect and offer services similar to boiler repair chester-le-street (if that’s where you live) or air conditioner restoration could bear fruitful results in terms of saving money on energy bills.
Besides this, you could also ensure that the components of the HVAC system that you aren’t using are turned off. That could ensure that there is no unnecessary stress put on the machinery and that there is no wastage of energy.
Finally, you should see that the vents are cleaned regularly because accumulated dust particles might prevent the easy passage of air. This could clog up entry and exit points which will lead to you using your air conditioner at lower temperatures or higher speed settings.
Cut down your shower time
Cutting down the time you spend in the shower and getting rid of baths altogether is great way to save money and energy on a number of levels.
The more you use an electric shower the more it is going to cost in the long run on your energy bills, cutting a ten minute shower to a five minute shower is going to halve this cost.
Anyone using a water meter can save money by simply using less water, so cutting out baths, probably the biggest reason for water use, is the best way to do this.
Keith Hodges is a financial journalist writing news and advice articles on how to cut your bills and stretch the family budget at CashCompass.co.uk.