With average monthly utility bills of around $600, reducing your household’s energy use is a great (and mostly painless) way to save money. There are several ways to make your home more energy efficient without breaking the bank. You can start by making small changes before upgrading to new appliances.
Start saving money and the planet by learning how to reduce your family’s energy consumption.
How to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
Energy-conscious habits and technology can make it easy to reduce energy use at home. Minor changes can lead to substantial savings on the average household energy bill. Here are five ways to improve your home's energy efficiency.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Adjusting the thermostat settings is the most effective way to reduce energy waste, as home heating and cooling account for over 40% of average utility costs. You can save 10% or more yearly on heating and cooling by adjusting your thermostat by 7-10 degrees at night. Consider adding a smart thermostat to make temperature adjustments a breeze!
2. Unplug unused electronics.
Even when turned off, plugged-in electronics draw a small amount of electricity. Sometimes referred to as “phantom load” or “vampire power,” unused electronics add up; the average US household spends about $165 annually powering devices that aren’t in use.
3. Turn down your water heater thermostat.
The default setting for many water heaters is 140 degrees F, and most homeowners never change it. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees reduces scalding risk and can save 4% to 22% on energy bills, which could add up to as much as $400 annually.
4. Use natural light and home ventilation.
Use age-old techniques to boost your home's energy efficiency. By strategically opening and closing your curtains and windows, you can naturally regulate your home's temperature and lessen your reliance on your HVAC system. In winter, open your curtains on sunny days to capture the sun's warmth. In summer, close them to block out the sun's heat. Open and close windows as needed to capitalize on natural airflow for cooling and ventilation.
5. Turn off the lights.
It’s really that simple! Make it a habit to turn off lights when leaving a room, and try to use natural light from outside as much as possible. Calculating exactly how much you’ll save by doing this depends on the type of light bulb installed and how long it's left on. If you commit to turning off the lights diligently, you’ll notice the impact on your energy bill over a year.
More Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
When it’s time to replace HVAC equipment or aging appliances, always choose ENERGY STAR-approved products.ENERGY STAR certifies a whole host of furnaces, air conditioning units, heat pumps, appliances, and more based on strict energy specifications.
Your local Yellow Dot Heating & Air Conditioning technician can help you determine when it makes financial sense to replace your old gas furnace with a newer model or a heat pump. Heat pumps can be up to three times more energy-efficient and significantly lower energy costs.
Read more: Three Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality.
How Much Energy Does the Average Home Use?
The average US household uses 10,800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, or about 899 kWh per month. Energy consumption in the US has been steadily increasing for decades and varies depending on home size, age, appliance usage, climate, and the number of occupants.
We focus on electricity usage as an industry because natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity. Therefore, reducing electricity consumption from air conditioning and lighting offers immediate financial benefits. Ultimately, saving electricity saves money and helps to protect the environment.
Trust Raleigh’s Energy-efficiency Pros!
Put your family’s financial well-being first with innovative, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. The professionals at Yellow Dot Heating & Air Conditioning will ensure your energy upgrades are safe and effective so you save monthly money!
Call 919-925-4235 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding areas.