Hi lovelies,
With these high costs, thanks to inflations, more homes are looking into becoming more frugal. It’s not even just that, but with the push that climate change has caused, homes need to look into ways to be energy efficient. Not just for their wallet but for the sake of the environment too. Fortunately, it’s actually a lot easier than you may think to make your home more energy efficient and cheapen your monthly energy bill. Here is everything you need to know!
Rearrange furniture for airflow
Did you know that rearranging your furniture can lower your power bill? It’s true! There may be a chance that your current furniture is blocking airflow, such as vents. A lot of homes make this mistake without even realizing it. So you must check every room and see where the vents and heaters are located, so you can entirely avoid this. Plus, rearranging your furniture for airflow could be a great way to make your home allergen-free.
Use a kilowatt meter
A lot of homes already have these on their lawn or attached to the nearest electrical pole to their home. Knowing how to read a kilowatt meter can help you save on your electricity bills. You can also use this knowledge to help you find out how to improve your energy efficiency. Knowing how much energy you use can be a crucial step toward reducing your overall usage if you own a home. Generally, if you buy a kilowatt meter, you are billed for the number of kilowatt-hours you have used over a period of time.
Unplug devices
Did you know that you’re still using electricity even if you’re not currently using an appliance? Unplugging devices is one of the easiest ways to save energy in the home. This simple step can reduce your electric bill by as much as $110 a year and help you avoid a fire. The United States Department of Energy estimates that unplugging certain appliances and chargers can reduce your monthly power bill by as much as 90 kWh.
Leaving appliances plugged in is not only a waste of energy but can also increase the risk of fires. For example, if an appliance is left plugged in, it could overheat and start a fire. It's also a good idea to check for phantom or standby power before pulling the plug.
Using smart power strips
If you're looking to save on your power bill, you may want to consider using smart power strips. These devices can help cut your energy costs while extending your electronics life. Many appliances in your home use significant amounts of electricity when they are turned off. Using a smart power strip can help limit the power you consume and protect against surges. Power strips have several different features, such as motion sensors and voltage sensitivity. By detecting a drop in current, these smart strips can shut off the outlet to prevent power consumption.
These devices can also be controlled with voice assistants. Voice commands can be used to schedule your outlets to turn on or off at a certain time. Smart power strips are also useful for reducing standby power, which is basically phantom electricity (which is why it’s often recommended to unplug devices).
Insulation
It is vital to check up on your home’s insulation every 10 to 20 years, ideally every 15 years. Insulation can weaken over time, leaving your home colder, and more susceptible to mold. Using services like www.allfloridainsulation.com, you can have insulation installed for you so you won’t have to stress over it. Generally speaking, every home needs to have insulation from top to bottom.
Seal air leaks
If you're looking to save on heating and cooling costs, one of the best things you can do is to seal air leaks in and around the windows and doors of your home. Sealing air gaps can significantly reduce your energy bills and increase your comfort. With just a few quick fixes, you can save up to 20-30% of your energy costs. Try to do this around every Autumn if you can.
Switching out old-style bulbs for LEDs
This small but mighty trick can make a world of difference! You might not realize it, but lighting accounted for 10 percent of total residential energy usage in 2016. As you upgrade your lighting system, you can reduce carbon emissions and save on utility bills. LED lights last a lot longer too, which is eco-friendly in more ways than one.