Reducing the cost of your monthly electricity bill may be easier than you think. And it’s certainly worth your time and effort when your family may be spending over $1,400 each year on energy consumption in the home.
However, wasting energy is not only a concern of costs. Finding every way possible to lower the amount of energy your household uses is more important than ever in the midst of a global energy crisis. There’s no better time to act than now.
Veterans AC & Heat guides you through how you can reduce your utility bills and shrink your home’s carbon footprint. Read on to learn how you and your family can truly make a difference while saving big on monthly bills.
Keep Up with Routine Maintenance
One of the best ways to save energy is to have your home’s systems and appliances regularly inspected and tuned up to prevent inefficiently and catch major repairs early. When any vital part of your home isn’t working correctly, there’s a chance you’re adding cost to your electricity bill.
Especially with your HVAC unit and plumbing system, routine maintenance by a professional team will save you time and money in the long run.
Repair All Cracks and Damages
When your house’s structure is full of cracks and gaps, outdoor air continuously flows inside. So, what’s the problem with a bit of fresh air? The issue is your HVAC will need to work much harder to keep indoor areas cool for you and your family.
When the unit is overworked, you can expect to increase your electricity bill. Plus, there’s a higher chance your HVAC system will need repairs more often and potentially not last as long as it should.
Not to mention, small openings are a welcoming entryway for pests to invade your home. So, it’s clear that ignoring the damage to the structure of your home will invite several problems that can otherwise be easily avoided.
Regularly Change Your Air Filter
An easy method for saving some cash on your electricity bill is to change out the HVAC air filter when needed. It sounds like common sense. However, you may be surprised by how many people either forget to switch out the filter or are entirely unaware of the importance of this task.
A clogged or dirty filter will block the flow of air entering the unit and cause it to operate inefficiently. In turn, the HVAC consumes more energy, and the impact is evident in your monthly electricity bill.
Avoid this common mistake by replacing the air filter when necessary. There are two ways you can keep track of when the filter should be changed. Your first option is to simply mark your calendar. Experts recommend replacing the filter every 30 to 60 days. For the best results, insert a fresh filter each month.
The second way to determine whether your filter needs to be replaced is to look for the signs of a dirty filter. Discoloration and visible clogging or debris are obvious indicators you need a new air filter.
Save on Your Electricity Bill in the Shower
Save on your electricity bill by consuming less energy while showering. When you install an energy-efficient electric water heater, you can expect a 20% decrease in water heating bills.
Additionally, you can start taking shorter showers. If you have multiple people living in your home, getting them all on board with spending less time in the shower can go a long way. Many people have taken on this challenge and have discovered several tricks for reducing shower time.
For instance, you can set an alarm on your phone to limit your time. Also, taking cold showers can save energy by not using the water heater while encouraging yourself not to relax in the steamy heat for too long.
And finally, be sure you aren’t using an unnecessary amount of shampoo or conditioner. You really only need less than a quarter-sized drop of soap to wash your hair. Using too much will lead to longer rinsing time.
Invest in Insulation
Insulation is always a good idea for your home’s attic, basement, crawl space, and ceilings. It reduces drafts and provides comfort for the household. But what’s even better is it will boost efficiency and shave dollars off the electricity bill.
Insulation may be more affordable than you think. After a little research, you’ll find that the investment is well worth the time and effort to install it throughout the home.
Purchase Energy Star Appliances
If you want to truly make a difference for the planet and save big on utility bills, Energy Star appliances are for you. These cutting-edge devices reduce your home’s carbon footprint by meeting energy-consumption requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
They are the leading products in energy efficiency and are sure to reflect on your electricity bills. Energy Star appliances can be more pricey than other models. However, the decrease in energy costs and low environmental impact make them a smart choice for those wanting to consume significantly less energy.
Reduce Energy Bill in the Kitchen
When cooking three meals a day, your kitchen is undoubtedly a hotspot for energy use. Devices like an oven can consume a hefty amount of energy. Try using alternative appliances like a toaster oven, slow cooker, or microwave to reduce your electricity bill.
These smaller kitchen appliances use significantly less energy and are ideal for cooking up quicker meals, like breakfast or lunch.
Use Ceiling Fans Wisely
Constantly running your fans is believed by some people to cool the home and provide the opportunity to set the HVAC thermostat to a higher temperature. Unfortunately, this is not at all true.
In fact, running all the fans throughout your home will only waste energy. That is if several of the rooms are unoccupied. The real reason why people feel cool under a running ceiling fan is credited to the “wind-chill factor.” All this means is that the refreshing and chilling sensation is due to the breeze created by the fan.
Therefore, if there is no one in the room to experience the wind created, the fan is merely consuming unnecessary energy.
On the other hand, if you are in a room with a running fan, feel free to set the AC a few degrees above your preferred temperature. You’ll remain cool and see savings on your electricity bill.
Turn Off the Lights
We all know that turning off the lights when we don’t need them is a fundamental way to save energy and cash. Though, many of us have yet to adopt the habit for whatever reason. But, if you really want to start saving money on your electricity bill, you’ll need to begin turning off the lights while away from home or not occupying the room where the lights are on.
Start by taking frequent walk-throughs to switch off the lights you may have forgotten were on. And before leaving the house, be sure to do the same.
Reduce the Electricity Bill with Routine Maintenance and More and Veterans AC & Heat
A fool-proof method for reducing your home’s energy consumption and saving money is to call on your local HVAC experts, Veterans AC & Heat. We offer services that will increase efficiency and improve your energy waste, including the following and more:
- Routine HVAC Maintenance
- Heating Inspections and Repair
- Duct Repair and Replacement
Count on the team that has served happy and loyal customers for over 50 years. We have seen the gradual change in energy use for the typical household first-hand and are eager to do our part to make a difference in costs and overall global consumption.
Call Veterans AC & Heat today to see what we can do to help you save big on your electricity bill and work our way towards a healthier planet.
