Terri Ramsey Beavers The events of the past months have made it evident that we are in the eye of an unprecedented climate and energy crisis. Also due to shortages and disruptions in the global energy market, American households have already experienced a 20% increase in their winter energy bills – but energy prices are bound to increase 30%-40% in the next few months!
With so much going on, it has never been more important to introduce energy-saving measures that can help you save on your energy bills while also preserving important natural resources. And, as soaring summer temperatures are on our doorstep, this is the best time to understand what you could do to make your home a more energy-efficient one.
Declutter or Downsize
If you are looking to reduce your overall living costs, a great strategy is to downsize. Reducing your square footage or moving into a smaller home is a great option to reduce property-related taxes, running costs, maintenance expenses, rent, and energy bills. What’s more, a smaller home is easier to clean and organize, thus offering you endless time-saving and stress-reducing benefits.
Are you not in the position of just being able to ditch your home and buy another one? Consider decluttering! Getting rid of some of your possessions can help you optimize your living space and reduce the energy involved with heating, cooling, and cleaning your house.
Invest in High-Quality Insulation and Windows
Insulation is a must throughout the year – and it’s an easy strategy to introduce! For example, by working with a top rated replacement window dealer, you can install double- or triple-glazing windows that can help you maintain your home’s temperature for longer and prevent unnecessary waste.
Investing in insulation can lower your heating and cooling costs by over 15% – and save you $200 or more a year! Make sure to partner with an experienced professional who can craft an insulation strategy that’s right for your home.
Use Your Aircon Wisely and Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Your air conditioning system is likely to be the main culprit for high energy costs in the summer months. And, as summer temperatures continue to rise and break unprecedented records, an efficient aircon system can become a lifeline.
So, how can you create a comfortable home environment without breaking the bank? Here are a few tips to make your HVAC system more efficient:
- Keep up with the system’s maintenance and cleaning tasks to keep it working efficiently
- Invest in a smart thermostat that can automatically adjust indoor temperature and prevent energy waste
- Use smart home devices to control your home’s temperature even when you aren’t there
- Don’t leave your aircon on when none of your family members is in the house
- Keep the aircon at a relatively high temperature, like 78F or 25C
Use Low-Cost Tools Like Blind and Fans
While your air conditioning system plays an important role in cooling your home, there are many more tools that you can use to keep the summer heat at bay. For example, fans are extremely inexpensive to run, and they can be in operation for much longer without causing significant inflation in your energy bill.
However, fans alone don’t do much more than move air around the room! For best results, consider pairing them with an air conditioner to ensure that cooler air circulates through each room of the house. This allows you to keep your most energy-consuming appliance (the air conditioner) at its lowest setting or at higher temperatures while obtaining the best results.
Don’t forget to shut the blinds during the hottest hours of the day to shield out the summer heat and UV rays.
Reduce Your Water Heating Costs
Water heating accounts for just under 20% of a standard household’s energy consumption. However, as the temperatures continue to rise, there is a lot that you can do to significantly reduce this cost.
For example, you might consider embracing the benefits of having a cold shower, or you might start washing your clothes with cooler water and air-drying them.
These might seem like minor adjustments to your lifestyle, but they can significantly reduce your energy bills.
Reconfigure Your Lifestyle
The energy efficiency of your home depends a lot on you and on your lifestyle choices. Living more sustainably and reducing your consumption of resources is easy – with the right mindset. Consider adjusting your family’s behavior to reduce energy usage throughout the summer months and beyond. For example, through education, you could make sure that lights are used only when needed and devices are only plugged in when in use.
Taking shorter showers, ditching plastic, walking or cycling to work, and choosing a plant-based diet are all important lifestyle choices to reduce your indirect consumption of vital resources like water and energy and limit your environmental impact.