Do you know that a typical family spends an average of $2,200 per year on utilities? Often, we ignore the lights bulbs are on, the air conditioner is running the whole day, furnace and water heater are left running. We always forget that these facilities are eating a lot of our pockets.
Electrical systems have a resistor to help control the current flow and avoid electrical accidents. Better check if resistors are in proper installation and ask for professional help.
Consider these helpful tips to save on your energy bills!
1) Heating and cooling
Home heating and cooling are significant felons after large utility bills. It is where you best to look for cost-cutting opportunities.
Check the windows, doors, and appliances if the seal is working. The fridge and freezer must be well sealed to keep the cold air. Same goes with the doors and windows. If the seal is wearing out the cold or hot air is getting out. It will lead to the air conditioning system to consume more energy to intensify the operation of the engine. - Fix any leaks of duct work. When there are leaks in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning ducts, a lot of cold or hot air go to waste. The system will have to increase its power consumption to cope with the requirement of the room that it needs to serve. As the need to increase its power consumption is happening, the power consumption increases, and the cost that you need to pay also rise.
- Control your thermostat and set to an appropriate temperature that your room needs. It is a recommendation that you set the thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees when you’re asleep or away from home. It can lower your annual heating or cooling costs by around 10%. Moreover, you may also turn off your air conditioning system when no one is around or not in use. You may open windows if you are not around when the temperature is hot. Or, close the window when it’s cold — Turn-On only the air conditioning when someone is around and set it to eco mode.
- Control your fridge and freezer temperature. Set the fridge to 38 degrees and your freezer to 5 degrees. The temperature will be enough to keep your food fresh. Your fridge and freezer will ideally be efficient at these settings.
2) Water system
According to the Energy Department, hot water is the second-largest cost most homes. Cost cutting on usage like in the shower, laundry, and dishwashing, it can significantly cut your utility costs.
- Take shorter showers. If you shower in 20 minutes or more, trim it down in two minutes to 10 minutes. You can save water usage by at least 10 gallons.
- Replace your showerhead. Buy shower head that can efficiently spread the water flow and wash your body in less time.
- Don’t wash your clothes in hot water. Use warm water when you do laundry as it can cut your energy cost to half.
- Fix leaky faucets. Every drop of water is a waste of money.
- Control the temperature of the water heater. Typically, the temperature setting on water heaters is at 140 degrees. If you lower the temperature to 120 degrees, it can reduce water heating costs by up to 10%.
Purchase energy efficient appliances. If you buy a new appliance, check the label and ask for professional help to determine the appliances that are energy efficient.
3) Power and lighting
It is roughly 12% of the home energy usage are accounted to lights and electronics
- Swap out your light bulbs. It is better to use LED bulbs that bear the Energy Star label.
- Install a dimmer switch. The use of dimmers can control the flow of electricity in your room and goes to saving energy.
- Use smart power strips. Buy and set up power strips so that devices that are on standby mode when not in use will turn-off.
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