Many people are adopting energy-efficient home upgrades because of their environmental benefits, and they can save you money over time. Performing even minor upgrades like swapping old light bulbs for LED versions can make a significant difference in your energy consumption.
Some of the significant changes you can make include replacing windows and adding insulation, so when it’s summer, the hot air will remain out.
In winter, the cold air won’t affect your home, which can be accomplished with the help of professional electricians like the Answer Power System company.
In this article, we are going to look at some of the significant home improvements that will help reduce your energy consumption and save on your electricity bills.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Those big appliances in your home are the ones that consume one-third of the energy bills. Consider replacing the outdated ones with efficient models. This will help you reduce your bills over time and help you become part of the people who are moving towards a healthier and greener lifestyle.
Use Occupancy Sensors
Whenever you are leaving home or a room, turn off the lights, and this routine should be passed down to everyone in the family. Use lights with occupancy sensors that will automatically turn off when there is no movement for a set period. Alternatively, if you always need light around, you can use dimmer switches that allow you to reduce the light intensity when you don’t need it.
Click here for some government-approved energy-efficient appliances.
Unplug Your Electronics
We are all guilty of leaving our gadgets and charger cords plugged in even when not in use, and unfortunately, this can consume as much as 10% of your home’s energy. Unplugging your chargers can make a big difference in your energy. Always remember to turn off all sockets and unplug all wires when you are leaving home.
Use Cold Water for Laundry
Do laundry with cold water. The detergents and fabric softeners manufactured today can be used even without hot water. This way, you won’t waste energy turning on your heater. In summer months, dry your clothes outside instead of using a dryer. By reducing your dryer usage, you get to save at least $100 annually on operating costs, and this method is safer for your clothes, saving you the risk of spending on wear and tear.
Program Your Thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat can reduce your energy consumption without making many changes to your lifestyle. With this, you can set times for your AC or furnace to run while minimising energy waste. Even though the estimate depends on your home’s electricity usage, you can save at least 10% of your bill using a smart thermostat.
Turn Down the Temperature
Many water heaters are calibrated at a high temperature of 140° Fahrenheit. You can lower the water heater temperature and save energy. Reduce it down to 120-110°, and this will never compromise your comfort; you will still get the right water temperature needed to use.
Visit https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-water-heaters-6751819 to learn about the different types of water heaters and how to choose.
Change Your Light Bulbs
Replace your incandescent bulbs with the light-emitting diode ones. LED light bulbs use around 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer, and are more durable. Although they are more expensive than the traditional ones, they will save you money thanks to their long lifespan.
Fill Gaps
Those small gaps around your windows, doors and other areas can add up to your bills. You can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs if you air seal your home and add insulation in attics, floors, over crawl spaces and basements. Do this especially in winter and summer, where you keep the cold out and the hot air out as well.
Schedule a Tune-Up
Over time, dirt can build up and reduce your HVAC performance. Ignoring this dirt can result in higher energy costs, which can eventually lead to higher repair costs. Call a licensed professional like Anser Power Systems & Electrical Contracting once a year to check your system. If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old and the AC unit is more than 12 years old, consider replacing them with newer, more efficient models.
You can contact Anser Power Systems via the address below to make further inquiries about your electrical lighting concerns:
Conclusion
Many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption and move towards a greener lifestyle. Thankfully, there are many ways you can achieve this.
You can use energy-efficient appliances, fill gaps around your windows and doors so you will trap the air in, turn down the temperature, unplug your chargers when not in use, use cold water for laundry, and schedule a professional maintenance check once annually to make sure everything is running smoothly—also, if there are appliances you need to replace.
