Your home is a power-hungry beast, using about 7.5 kilowatts of energy per person every day. That’s a lot of electricity flowing through your walls, floors, and air conditioning units. Fortunately, you can take action to reduce your energy bill and increase the efficiency of your home by following these simple tips. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average American household uses 9,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each month just to light up their homes! That’s enough energy to light up an entire room for three hours! If you live in a larger metropolitan area or have many neighbors that share utilities, you might want to consider insulation for all your house’s walls and doors as well as windows and A/C units!
Ways to reduce energy consumption at home
To cut down on energy waste, try these ways to reduce your home’s energy use:
- Use light bulbs that are energy-efficient or low-glare.
- Insulate your home against the elements to lower energy costs.
- Use energy-efficient appliances when possible.
- Turn off your appliances when they’re not in use.
- Exhaust fans to move air around your house.
- Install an energy monitor to keep an eye on your energy use.
Read the fine print before you sign a contract
One of the most important things you can do to reduce your home’s energy waste is to read the fine print before you sign a contract. There are a number of hidden fees and charges while buying a home! For example, utilities often charge a “tag” or “dispatch” fee for every month you use a certain kind of service. Some utilities also charge for increased usage during certain times of the day or during certain weather conditions. Before you sign a contract, make sure you know what’s involved and what the total cost of your new home will be.
Insulate your home against the elements
When the wind chill is below -15°C and the snow is three feet or less, you can keep your windows and doors open. But when the wind chill is below -30°C or colder and the snow is more than six feet high, you should close your doors, windows, and heaters. That’s because closing your home against the elements can waste as much energy as leaving it open, and can even increase your electric bill!
To prevent this, insulate your home against the elements. This can be done with wallboard, fiberglass insulation, or even just a good old-fashioned air conditioner. And don’t forget to add insulation to all your 220-plus-year-old walls and doors!
Use energy-efficient devices
One of the best ways to reduce your energy bill is to use energy-efficient devices. For example, if you have an electric range, replace the old, inefficient burners with energy-efficient ones. If you have an air conditioner, consider upgrading to a dehumidifier or installing a programmable thermostat that automatically turns off your air conditioner at night. In addition, you can consider installing low-flow toilets and rain gardens to reduce water usage.
Turn off your appliances when they’re not in use
Another way to reduce your energy bill is to turn off your appliances when they’re not in use. Doing this can reduce the amount of electricity used and help to save on your energy bill.
Unfortunately, most homes have multiple electrical appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, etc., that are always running. To save energy, unplug these appliances when you’re not using them and store them in a garage or attic. Then, when you’re ready to use them, you can easily plug them back in when you’re ready to use them.
Exhaust fans to move air around your house
If you have an air conditioner in your house, you might be tempted to turn it on when you’re not using it. But doing so can waste a lot of energy since most air conditioners are operated using electricity. Instead, try to keep your indoor fan(s) running when you’re not using them. This way, the fan sucks in the air instead of using electricity.
Bottom line – is insulation for you?
Insulation is a crucial part of any home’s energy efficiency. It can help to lower your energy bills and increase the lifespan of your appliances. But it’s not the only thing you can do! There are a number of ways to reduce energy waste at home that don’t require expensive insulation products:
- Use light bulbs that are energy- efficient or low-glare.
- Insulate your home against the elements to lower energy costs.
- Use energy- efficient appliances when possible.
- Turn off your appliances when they’re not in use.
- Exhaust fans to move air around your house.
- Install an energy monitor to keep an eye on your energy use.