4 Ways to Be More Energy Efficient at Home
Everyone is looking to save on their home's energy costs, but many people do not know where to start or what steps to take to get the most bang for their buck. These four tips can be a great starting point for increasing your home's energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency Tip No. 1: Insulate your walls and attic.
The average homeowner can save over $200 per year by increasing or upgrading the insulation in their home's walls and ceilings. One of the biggest energy costs that homeowners face is keeping their homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Poorly insulated homes — particularly those with poorly insulated attics or lofts — can have much higher energy bills than their well-insulated counterparts.
Experts estimate that nearly one-third of the homes in the United States are under-insulated, so if you have not checked your home's insulation recently, it might be a good idea to check it out this summer. Taking on the one-time cost of adding more insulation to your home can result in years of savings down the road.
Energy Efficiency Tip No. 2: Use heavy curtains.
This upgrade can serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose. Covering your windows with thick curtains can reduce the amount of heat passing through your comparatively thin windowpanes. Choose a fun pattern that you love — this can be an easy way to lower your energy bills while also decorating the space.
Energy Efficiency Tip No. 3: Double-check the edges of doorways.
One of the key factors in lowering energy costs is keeping air from flowing freely in and out of your home. Adding a cheap strip of stick-on foam insulation can be an easy way to seal any gaps where air is escaping around the edges of your doors. For this reason, you will also want to check for leaks in your attic and basement — particularly if the room is unfinished.
Energy Efficiency Tip No. 4: Use a low-flow showerhead and toilet.
One of the most obvious ways to cut down on your water bill is to use less water. Most people will not want to shorten their morning shower, so using a more efficient showerhead can be a relatively painless way to reduce your water consumption. Switching out your home's showerheads can result in a yearly savings of $260. This means that your new showerhead will pay for itself during its first year of use — a great deal for those seeking long-term savings.
Energy Efficiency Tip No. 5 Unplug small appliances (complements of Ann Nguyen)
Unplugging small appliances like toaster ovens, computers, phone chargers, battery charges when not in use will reduce your energy footprint.
These five energy saving tips can be affordable ways to cut down on your long-term energy costs. Many of them will pay for themselves within the first year, so there is no reason why you should wait any longer to increase your home's energy efficiency.
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Contact John Handschuh for "A HANDS ON APPROCH TO REAL ESTATE" john@johnhandschuh.com
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