Going green isn’t just good for the environment; it also happens to be good for your wallet. Solar panels are a great example of an investment that can reduce your cost of living. By passively producing energy, solar panels decrease your electricity bills.
However, solar panels aren’t the only way to save energy. Increasing the efficiency of your utilities is another green way to reduce your bills.
According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), more than half of the energy use in a typical home goes toward heating and cooling it.
As such, the efficiency of your heating or cooling systems can really impact your bill. The model of your system is important, but even little things like how clean it is can affect efficiency.
There can also be tiny inefficiencies throughout your house that add up over time. Air leaks in isolated areas like your attic detract from your home’s insulation and can be very hard to track down to fix.
A home energy assessment can help you pinpoint where your house is wasting energy. It could be through air leaks or lack of insulation.
A thermographist or other such professional will notice what you have missed, and then they will recommend a course of action to save you money on energy.
Consistent reduction of your usage of utilities can also drastically decrease your bill. You can do little things like remembering to turn off your lights when they aren’t in use, or turning off your air conditioner when not absolutely necessary.
There’s no need to cause yourself discomfort, but being more conscious of your daily habits can work wonders.
As a homeowner, you have 10 ways to save energy, water & money without getting permission from the landlord like a renter.
- Install ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs to save money
- Change air filters regularly to extend the life of the heating & cooling system
- Install a programmable thermostat to deliver reliable comfort along with substantial savings.
- Install WaterSense labeled toilets to reduce water usage
- Seal and Insulate your home to reduce energy costs
- Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances for high performance and big savings
- Kill-A-Watt EZ helps cut standby energy use to save energy when not in use
- Insulate your water heater by wrapping it with an insulating jacket to prevent heat loss
- Switch to an ENERGY STAR qualified water heater to cut water heating costs to half and more
- Upgrade to tax credit eligible items