When your electricity bill keeps getting higher, you start to wonder what you can do to save money. Here are four ways on how to make your home more energy efficient.
Lights
Lighting takes up about 12% of your utility bill every month. An easy fix to high electricity bills is to find a more cost-effective light bulb. If possible, change your light bulbs to LED bulbs. You can save around $75 a year with this swap by using bulbs that have the Energy Star label on them.
Next, be sure to turn off the lights in rooms that aren’t being used. If possible, open your blinds and use as much natural light as you can during the day. Making this a habit will slowly but surely lower your electricity bill.
Heat/Cooling
Your air conditioner is the biggest user of energy in the home. Consider raising the temperature 5-10 degrees when you are not in the house to save on energy. If this is done for eight hours or more, it can lower your annual heating and cooling costs by 10%.
Make sure the door to your refrigerator and freezer are sealed and closed tightly so that the cool air stays inside the refrigerator. The same goes for your oven during bake time. Peaking to see if your food is ready increases the temperature in your house by 25℉.
Water
Turn off any water that has no use in running. Be sure to turn off the sink when shaving or brushing your teeth. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average homeowner can save around $170 a year by making these small changes to their water usage. Taking shorter showers or cooler showers can help with energy efficiency.
The same goes for washing your clothes. it is better to use cold or cool water rather than warm. It is estimated that around 10% of energy is used to run the machine, while 90% of energy is used to heat the water in your washer.
Electrical Repairs
Never be afraid to call an electrician to learn more ways about how you can be aware of your energy usage. Call Arnold Electric today to speak to a professional about how to update your electrical components of your home for an easier and energy efficient lifestyle.
