Are you interested in making your home more energy efficient? Home owners who take steps to improve their home’s energy efficiency can reduce their monthly utility costs considerably. The benefits don’t stop there. Not only will you save money by taking simple steps to make your home more energy efficient, you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win-win for the planet as well as your personal savings account. Here are four tips that will help you improve the energy efficiency of your home and cut your monthly utility costs.
Seek out Vampire Power Sources
Vampire power isn’t something that’s found in horror movies, but it is something that occurs frequently in most homes. Many small appliances and electronics continue to draw power even when they are switched off. This results in an added cost to homeowners that shows up in your monthly utility bills. Common culprits which continue to use power even when switched off include televisions, DVD players, laptop computers, phone chargers, and small appliances. To minimize vampire power in your home, consider using power strips that can be switched off in order to cut power to appliances and electronics when they aren’t in use. This can help you reduce your overall energy consumption.
Shut Things Off
Do your children frequently leave lights on after they’ve exited a room? Do you notice that the television is still on even when nobody is sitting in front of it? If these scenarios sound familiar, it may be time to talk with your family about energy use and remind them to shut off lights and electronic devices when they aren’t in use. You can even take things a step further and teach your kids about vampire power to help lower your monthly utility costs.
Schedule Maintenance for your Heating or Cooling System
In order to function optimally, your heating and cooling system needs regular maintenance. If you cannot remember the last time you contacted a professional to perform maintenance on your home HVAC system, there is no better time than now to make that call. Having a home heating and cooling contractor look at your system, assess its condition, and tune up its components can help reduce the strain on your furnace or central air conditioner. The result is that your HVAC system will require less energy to operate properly, which translates into a direct cost savings for you.
Close the Blinds
Sometimes something as simple as closing the blinds or opening the windows can have a big impact on your monthly utility costs. When temperatures climb high during the summer months, consider closing the blinds when the sun hits your home in order to keep it cooler and more comfortable for your family. When possible, open the windows as opposed to reaching for the thermostat to crank your air conditioner.
These simple tips can help you help reduce your energy consumption and cut your monthly costs. Whether your goal is to minimize your carbon footprint or save some extra money, minor changes can make a big difference.