Improving home energy efficiency is every homeowner’s dream, but sometimes it may be a bit unclear as to what exactly you need to do to achieve this. Take a look at some of the ways you can manage energy costs in your life below.
Upgrade and Seal Your Windows
The very first thing you need to do is to upgrade your windows to an energy-efficient option. Doing this will help you keep the home better insulated and you won’t lose heat through them when it gets cold. While it will cost a considerable amount upfront, this is an amount you will save over time in terms of the heating you need to use. The expenditure on heating keeps fluctuating, and you want to do your best to lower that cost. For instance, households using heating oil will spend $1,734 which is 43% more than last winter. In cases like these, it’s best to make sure you’re cushioned from the higher extremes.
Keep Sunlight Out
Another way in which you can keep your energy consumption low is by keeping the sunlight out during hotter months. You can do this by installing blinds specially crafted to keep the sunlight out of your home. When less heat gets in, you’ll use your air conditioning less. This will save you from having to crank your system up and use energy.
Maintain Your HVAC
To make sure you’re saving energy with the appliances in your house, it’s important to make sure they’re working correctly. The best way to do it is to keep your unit well maintained at all times and have it serviced as recommended by manufacturers. It’s easy to see how beneficial this is when you think about the fact that air conditioning accounts for up to 27% of the energy used in a home in climates as hot and humid as Alabama’s.
Insulate Your Home
To ensure that you’re not losing treated indoor air to the outdoors through your attic and walls, you need to make sure they’re properly insulated. Make it a point to check your walls and attic often for any signs of leakage, and if you find any, have them fixed fast. Inspect the windows and doors and apply caulk to any gaps you find. This way, more treated air will remain indoors. This will save you money and keep your family healthy, as they will be safe from issues they may develop due to sleeping in a drafty house.
Switch to Modern Appliances
Finally, you should change all the old appliances in your house for newer models. Make sure that those you get have a good energy star rating, so you can get the best efficiency out of them. Appliances that are at the end of their lifespan will also be less efficient than new ones, so this is something you need to put into consideration. It’s a fact that when you switch to high-efficiency air conditioners and make some other changes to keep your home cool, you can reduce the energy used by your air conditioner by between 20% and 50%. This makes it a worthwhile step to take and one that will help you make savings in the long run.
With these tips, you can manage your home’s energy costs and spend a minimal amount of money on it. You will also have taught your family how to keep their energy consumption low both now and in the future, something they will thank you for.
