Are you wondering how to reduce energy bills at home? You don’t need to sacrifice luxuries or comfort.
The average U.S. household spends $2,000 a year on its electric bill. Many Americans don’t realize the small steps they can take to cut back on electricity usage. Whether you’re on a tight budget or want to reduce your household’s energy consumption, consider the following ways to cut back on utility bills.
1. Choose Energy-efficient Products
You don’t have to go out and spend a bunch of money on new appliances, but when the need arises, consider energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs to reduce energy bills at home. ENERGY STAR-certified products boast an average savings of 30% while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Products designed with energy-efficiency in mind can save money and energy over the duration of their lifespan.
Energy-efficient products work by using small amounts of energy to complete their intended task. These products work under lower temperatures and energy settings, which is enough to sustain functionality until the task is done. Not only does this save money, but it also saves energy and is environmentally friendly.
2. Cut Back on Using Appliances
To reduce home energy bills, be sure to use your appliances strategically, and only use them when needed. Even if you have energy-saving appliances, it’s still best to limit their use. The two biggest offenders when it comes to appliance energy consumption in the household are the dishwasher and the dryer. If the weather is nice, hang clothing up to dry instead of using the dryer. You can also cut back on dryer energy consumption by drying loads consecutively instead of spacing them out. As for the dishwasher, make sure it’s completely full before running a cycle.
Another tip is to try to cook inside during the winter and outside during the summer. Your oven and range put out a lot of heat and energy and during the summer, and your air conditioning unit has to work harder due to the extra heat from the kitchen.
3. Ensure Proper Insulation and Sealing
Properly sealing and insulating your home is an effective way to reduce energy bills at home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that U.S. homeowners can save 15% on heating and cooling by sealing doors and windows and having insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and basement rim joists, which can leak more than windows.
Insulating, caulking, sealing, and weather stripping air leaks in your home will not only save money and energy, but it also reduces noise, improves air quality, controls humidity, and lowers the chance of ice dams building on the roof. Check your windows, doors, walls, and lighting and plumbing fixtures. Check for gaps and properly seal and insulate these areas to keep more money in your wallet.
4. Maintain Your HVAC System
If you want to know how to reduce energy bills at home, start by understanding that heating and air conditioning aren’t cheap. This is why you need to make sure your HVAC unit is running at its optimal level of efficiency. Regularly change your air filters, keep your vents open and clear of any obstructions, and check your ducts. Having any sort of blockage means the fans on your unit need to work harder and use more energy to keep your home at the desired temperature. It’s recommended that your HVAC unit be serviced by a professional HVAC technician once a year. Doing so keeps your system running smoothly and catches problems before they happen.
5. Programmable Thermostat
To reduce energy bills at home further, use a programmable thermostat with your heating and cooling system. Heating and cooling systems are the biggest consumers of energy, and using a programmable thermostat is an easy way to cut back on energy bills.
The U.S. Department of Energy states that you can save as much as 10% a year by turning your thermostat down 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit from its normal setting for eight hours a day. When there’s no one home or when everyone is asleep, use your thermostat to save energy by adjusting the temperature according to the season. Keep your home comfortable when you and your family are there to enjoy it.
Save Money by Knowing How to Reduce Energy Bills at Home
By knowing how to reduce energy bills at home, you can easily cut back on your energy output and save money while still living comfortably. Don’t let your utility bills put your in a bad financial position when there are ways to save starting today.
