When trying to save a bit of cash, they say all the little things add up. This holds true on energy costs as well. Have you ever considered how much energy we waste without even knowing it? Here are 20 simple things home owners can do to lower their monthly energy bills.
1. In the summer use fans to cool a room. Localized fans can make you feel about 15 degrees cooler without having to cool your whole home. A perfect example would be a fan in your bedroom.
2. Consider the season. In the winter open your curtains to allow the sun to warm your home. In the summer keep doors, windows and curtains closed during the day to reduce heat from entering your home.
3. Invest in a programmable thermostat. A digital, programmable thermostat will allow you to adjust the temperature to your schedule. While you are away, your home can afford to use less energy.
4. Adjust temperature in small increments. Try adjusting your thermostat by 1 degree at a time, rather than 5 or 6 degree jumps. Your home won't heat or cool any quicker, it just makes your heating or cooling unit work overtime to adapt, which uses more energy.
5. Allow proper airflow. Clean or replace your furnace filter on a regular basis as a plugged air filter will reduce airflow and force your furnace to work harder.
6. Stay sealed. Seal cracks and gaps in doors, windows and insulation. This alone could save up to 20% in monthly energy costs.
7. Home upgrades. Upgrade your windows from single-pane to a more energy efficient option. Also consider solar shade or window tinting.
8. Wash cloths in cold water. Did you know that about 90% of the energy used by a washing machine is from heating the water? Cost savings are available by using cold water whenever possible.
9. Use a microwave instead of a stove. From an energy point of view, a microwave uses a third of the energy that a stove uses.
10. Keep the oven door shut. While baking, keep the oven door shut for as long as you can. Each time you open the door, the interior temperature can drop 25F and will use more energy to recover the heat it lost.
11. Turn your oven off 10 minutes early. About 10 minutes before your cooking project is done, turn the oven off. The trapped heat will continue to cook the food before it cools off.
12. Stay stocked. Keep your fridge and freezer as full as possible to operate efficiently.
13. Timing. Use dishwashers and dryers during the evening to keep your home from heating up.
14. Run bathroom ventilation and kitchen exhaust fans only when needed.
15. Turn off you computer, printer and other office electronics while they are not in use.
16. Don’t let your phone charge overnight. It only takes a couple of hours to charge your phone.
17. Avoid placing electronics, lights, TVs, computers etc. near your thermostat. Anything that gives off heat will be tricking your thermostat into thinking it is warmer than it really is.
18. Use desktop lamps with energy-efficient light bulbs.
19. Use a timer on your outdoor lights for dusk to dawn only lighting.
20. When you leave a room, turn off the lights. This alone can result in a 15% savings on your monthly energy bill.
We know that with a little forward-thinking energy costs can be reduced significantly. We also have a wide variety of energy-efficient options for heating, cooling and hot water applications. If you would like to discuss which of our products would save you the most on monthly energy bills, contact us 24/7 at (204) 953-5700 or book a free, in-home, no-obligation consultation online by clicking here.
