Rising utility costs make it more expensive to heat and cool your home every year. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to cut down on waste. Here are a few ways to have lower energy bills.
- Install Solar Panels
A home solar installation is a great way to cut back or even eliminate your electric bill. Installing solar panels on your roof is an upfront cost that you’ll be able to recover in a few years through lower bills and maybe tax incentives. Make sure your roof is sturdy enough to handle solar panels. Also, make sure you live in an area that gets enough sun every year to make this cost worthwhile.
- Add Insulation to Your Attic and Other Areas
Don’t let that cool or warm air escape through your roof. Insulate your attic to reduce your utility bills. When your home doesn’t have sufficient insulation, the temperature in your house fluctuates. Your rooms upstairs will be hotter than your downstairs area. Insulating the attic ensures your home stays at a consistent temperature throughout. Insulation will also keep air pollutants out and increase the value of your home. Also, think about adding insulation to your walls so that your home stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
- Replace Your Windows
Cool or warm air can escape through your windows, especially if they are single-paned. Replace your windows with more energy-efficient ones. Your utility bills will be lower, and you’ll stay more comfortable throughout the year. Newer models of windows are also easier to keep clean as well. They’re more durable and will last longer.
- Landscape Your Home
Add fir trees to the north side of your home to block the cold air from getting into your house. Also, add good shade trees, such as elm or oak to the west side to block the summer sun. Finally, plant bushes in front of your home. They’ll block the heat radiating off the sidewalks.
- Replace Your Bulbs With LED Lights
LED bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. They also don’t give off heat the way the old bulbs did, so replace all of your lights with LED bulbs. Not only is LED lighting more efficient but it also lasts longer. LED bulbs can be run continuously for up to seven years before they need to be replaced. They’re cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about being burned by LED bulbs.
- Add a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat will turn down your heat or air conditioning during the day while you’re gone and then turn it back up half an hour before your return home at night. It cuts down on your electricity usage and saves you money.
By following these tips and cutting back on energy use, you’ll not only help your budget but you’ll also save the environment. That way, your children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy clean air and water for years to come.
