People are always looking for ways to save on energy costs. Here are a couple of tips you may have forgotten or need to explore to help yourself conserve energy.
Control the light
Start with the basics. Controlling the amount of sunlight that comes into your home is important for any season to save energy. During the hot seasons, you’ll want to block as much direct sunlight as possible. Use blinds and curtains to your advantage. At night, if it gets cooler, you may consider opening a window to give your HVAC system a break. During the winter months, you’ll want to do the opposite. Let the light in to warm your home and close your curtains and blinds to help prevent the cool air from coming in.
Use fans
During the hot season, use fans to maintain a comfortable temperature. Keeping the air constantly moving can make the temperature and humidity level feel more comfortable. Delaying the use of your AC system can save you a lot of money. It’s better to have a fan constantly running than to have an AC system constantly turning on and off to maintain your desired temperature.
Fix your leaks
Air leaks are the worst. You can lose a ton of energy from leaks around your doors and windows. Use weather stripping and caulking to better manage your ventilation. Keep the air in your home by clogging these leaks.
Tune up your HVAC system
Not many people pay attention to this, but it’s always a good idea to have your HVAC system checked up professionally every year. Even brand new systems can begin to dwindle in efficiency after a year. Having a professional help you maintain your HVAC system increases its efficiency, saving you money on energy and possible repairs that may have gotten out of hand.
Replace your bulbs
If you’re still using old light bulbs, you’ll want to replace those with Energy Star qualified lights to help yourself save money on those aggressive energy bills.
Turn off the lights
This is a classic tip, but one people don’t seem to adhere to. Turn off lights that are not being used. During sunlight hours, use natural lighting to help you out in your home. You don’t want to pay for wasted and unnecessary energy usage. Also, this tip doesn’t only apply to lights: don’t let other appliances around your home stay on if they’re not in use.
Home automation
You can save a bunch of energy with home automation systems. There are many apps out there, such as the app from Alarm.com, that can help you with this. This app is mainly used for home security systems, but can also help you save energy by allowing you to control your home appliances and lights remotely. With this, if you accidentally leave something on when you leave home, you’ll be able to turn it off using your phone. Additionally, you’ll be able to control your thermostat remotely. Special schedules can be set to mandate when appliances and HVAC systems turn on. Home automation can help you save a lot of energy.
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