Energy bills are only going up. So, what do you need to do to cut down usage and save money?
Table of contents
Set Your Thermostat At The Right Temperature
You can lower your heating and cooling costs by ensuring that there’s only a few degree difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. To find your ideal temperature indoors, you will need to experiment with your thermostat. The recommended indoor set point for thermostats during the summer months is 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which is what you should start by setting yours at. After setting your thermostat, you can comfortably increase or decrease it one degree at a time. The idea is to find the highest temperature in the summer and the lowest temperature in the winter that you can survive without turning on your HVAC system.
Lower Your Thermostat In The Winter
Are you planning on going somewhere for the weekend? If so, consider lowering your thermostat one or two degrees in the winter while you’re not at home. Though this same strategy hardly works in the summertime due to changes in humidity and the effort required to cool your house, it can lower your energy costs in the winter according to the boiler experts at CorgiHomeplan.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great way to circulate air in your home during the summer without having to constantly rely on your AC unit. Try running your fan counterclockwise as it will help cool the air without needing additional help from your air conditioning. You can also maximize the potential of your AC unit by turning on your ceiling fan and allowing it to help disperse the air in your room. This allows you to take a load off of your air conditioning system and use the thermostat at a higher setting.
Did you know your ceiling fan can also help you save money on heating costs? Run your ceiling fan clockwise during the colder months of the year, and you can help push the warm air back down towards eye level due to the airflow you’ve created.
Your ceiling fan is an indispensable addition to your home. It’s not only useful during a serious heatwave, but it can help you effectively curb heating and cooling costs. To reach the desired effect, make sure you rotate your fan as previously mentioned.
Infographic Provided By Solar Panel Installation Company, Sunburst Solar
Focus On Your Showers
You can save more money than you think by choosing to take shorter showers. Many people understandably struggle with timing, which is why setting a timer with an alarm can help you monitor your water usage. It’s also advisable to install low-flow showerheads as they waste significantly less water. Though these two simple changes may not seem like a big deal, they can add up in savings.
Use Cold Water In Your Washing Machine
Conserving energy in your home is as simple as choosing to run your washing machine with cold water. Surprisingly enough, your washing machine uses more hot water than your showers and your dishwasher combined! If you have an older washing machine, it may be time to think about replacing it with a high-efficiency model to further cut operational costs. If your climate allows, why not skip using your dryer altogether and hang your clothes out to dry?
Unplug Your Tech Gadgets
The average household has about 25 tech gadgets all plugged in at the same time. It may not seem like much, but they are a surefire way to drain energy unnecessarily in your home. In fact, this energy drainage is called phantom power and they account for at least 10 percent of rising energy costs in the home. You can save up to $150 yearly by simply paying attention to your gadgets and unplugging them when not in use.
Choose Double-Pane Windows
A home’s surface is composed of about 25 percent of windows. That means windows are responsible for taking up a great deal of surface area on your property. As such, it is also crucial to focus on the insulating qualities of your windows. They should not only have proper insulation, but they shouldn’t have any cracks that may cause a draft or cold air to sneak in. By choosing to install double-pane windows versus single-pane options, you can prevent your home from suffering extreme indoor temperatures. In fact, you can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 25 percent!