With energy bills rising, there’s never been a better time for homeowners to look for ways to reduce their energy-related expenses.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of strategies that property owners can take advantage of, and not all of them require sweeping changes. While large-scale home improvements, such as installing solar panels, can have a big impact, so too can making minor adjustments. In this post, we’ll run through a few of the most underrated strategies for lowering energy bills, which, when put all together, can have a hugely positive impact.
Use Your Appliances Sparingly
Your home’s appliances can make life easier to manage, but they also account for a significant portion of a home’s energy consumption.
Changing how you use your appliances really can make a difference to your monthly outgoings. Mostly, it’s about committing to using them when they’re full. Your washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher will typically use the same amount of energy whether they’re full or only half full. In addition, it’s recommended to use cold water settings when possible, especially when washing clothes, which often works just as well as hot water.
Tint Your Windows
For homeowners looking to reduce the HVAC-related energy costs, there aren’t many options that are better than tinting the property’s windows. This is highly effective at helping prevent excess cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter. Window tinting works by blocking solar heat from entering the property in the summer and reflecting warm air back indoors during the chillier periods of the year. Plus, with most homeowners able to find ‘affordable window tinting near me,’ this is one of the most budget-friendly ways to lower your energy bills. Plus, you’ll also get all the other benefits that window tinting can bring, including enhanced privacy and security at home.
Adjust Your Thermostat
Homeowners often use their thermostat as a way to fight the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer months, but that can lead to excessive energy consumption that can have a big impact on overall energy costs. It’s much more economical to keep the thermostat set at 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer when at home, and as close to the outside temperature when not at home.
In addition, it can be worth checking which spaces within the property are actually benefiting from cooled/heated air. It’s best to focus on the rooms in which people actually gather, rather than trying to heat the entire property.
Spend Less Time In The Shower… Or Switch to Cold Showers
Long showers can be nice, but they require significant energy. Adjusting your average shower time to be shorter really can make a difference to your energy bills. Looking for the most impact? Then consider switching to cold showers, especially during the summer months. They can take a little getting used to, but they require significantly less energy (since no heating is required) and also offer additional benefits, such as boosting energy and helping to improve skin and hair quality.
