4 Ways to Keep Your Home Energy Consumption Low in All Seasons

If you are starting to dread your utility bills each month, then it might be time to take a fresh look at your home’s overall efficiency. With a few simple upgrades and some changes to your daily habits, you could potentially reduce your energy bills by hundreds of dollars a year.

Limit Energy Usage During Peak Hours

In many places, energy companies will implement peak usage hours during the hottest months of the year. When you use appliances and other electronics during those hours, you will be charged a premium. To avoid those charges, you might want to do your housework at night. Most modern appliances have timers that will turn them on after you go to bed. You also want to be sure that you turn off all the lights and any unused electronics when no one is home.

Switch to High-Efficiency Appliances

Older appliances are notoriously inefficient, and you could be wasting hundreds a year on those devices. Upgrading to high-efficiency appliances is a major investment, but that decision could end up saving you huge sums of money. At the very least, you should look for appliances that have been certified by Energy Star. Those devices must pass rigorous tests, and many states offer huge rebates when you purchase them.

Keep Your HVAC System Well-Maintained

In the average home, the HVAC system is responsible for most of the energy usage. That is one of the reasons why you need to ensure that your heating and cooling system remains well-maintained at all times. Once or twice a year, you should have an HVAC contractor inspect and tune the entire system. You must also call an air conditioning system repair technician if you ever notice any unusual issues with your HVAC system.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

Smart thermostats can be installed in a matter of minutes, and those devices will greatly improve the efficiency of a home. Once the device has been installed, it is quickly going to learn your family’s habits and preferences. When the house is empty, the smart thermostat will gradually bring the temperature up in order to save you money. Those devices can also be controlled with mobile apps, and you will be able to adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere in the world as long as you have internet access.

While these few tips and upgrades should save you quite a bit on your energy bills, you might want to conduct a home energy audit as well. During that audit, you will be able to find and address any efficiency issues that could be driving your energy bills through the roof. Whether you need an air conditioning system repair or just need a new thermostat, take the time to consider how your home appliances may be affecting your energy use.