There are many ways to reduce your energy usage and save money on utility bills. Some of these are low cost and easy to implement. Here are seven of the most impactful methods.
1. Adjust Your Daily Behavior
Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Switch off appliances when they aren’t in use, as many have standby modes that consume energy (also known as “energy vampires”). The biggest savings usually come from turning down the thermostat in cold months and allowing your home to get warmer in summer. For most homeowners, heating and cooling make up nearly half of the electric bill.
2. Replace Your Light Bulbs
LED lights are highly efficient and consume a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs. At the high end, some of these bulbs can last over 20 years; plus, they’ve gone down in price considerably in the last decade.
3. Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Programmable and smart thermostats help automate your home’s heating-and-cooling schedule. This helps reduce the frequency that your AC/heating system cycles on and off, reducing your heating and cooling bill—in many cases, significantly.
4. Reduce How Much You Pay for Heating Water
Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees. Wrap insulation around it—this is especially important if the heater is located in a place without heat. Use less hot water by taking shorter showers and using cold water to clean your clothes.
5. Buy Energy Star Appliances
Energy Star appliances use 10 to 25 percent less energy than traditional ones. These models can quickly pay for themselves as they aren’t much more expensive to buy.
6. Buy A New HVAC System
If your AC/heating system is 10 years or older, it may be time to consider a new model. New HVAC equipment tends to be significantly less expensive to operate than older systems because manufacturers continually strive to improve product reliability and efficiency. Additionally, Energy Star HVAC equipment can easily save you 16 percent or more a year on energy costs.
7. Insulate Your Home
Many homes don’t have enough insulation in the attic. Adding more can pay for itself in a reasonable length of time.
The Electrician to Call in South Central Texas
GVEC Home is here to serve and assist homeowners and businesses in the Guadalupe Valley and beyond. We’ve been here since 1968 and offer top-quality heating and cooling systems, a complete, turnkey solar solution, and professional electrician services for home and small business. For more information on any GVEC Home product or service, call us at 888.590.7773.
