Saving Money by Increasing Efficiency
Boost energy efficiency at home to make your living spaces more comfortable and save money on the heating and cooling bills. Fortunately, making your home more efficient doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. By changing your habits and tackling a few do-it-yourself projects, you can improve your home’s efficiency.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Today’s manufacturers are focused on energy efficiency to appeal to homeowners. Modern home appliances boast better energy savings than older models and most come with an efficiency rating to help you make an informed choice.
When buying appliances, look for an ENERGY STAR rating, as these have been certified to meet EPA standards. While a new appliance is an upfront expense, it requires less power and resources to operate, thus saving money over time.
Refrigerators, TVs, washing machines, and ovens are the most used appliances in any home. When making a purchase, opt for energy-efficient models.
Seal Windows and Doors to Boost Energy Efficiency at Home
The biggest percentage of your utility bill goes towards heating and cooling your house. However, if your home’s doors and windows don’t have airtight seals, chances are you’re using more energy to heat and cool your home than you should.
Door sweeps, caulking around your window and door frames, and adding weatherstripping are excellent ways to make your home more energy-efficient. Hire a professional energy auditor to identify the vulnerable areas of your home. You can also check for drafts by lighting a candle and holding it near window and door frames. If the flame flickers, there’s a draft and the gap should be sealed.
Boost Energy-Efficiency at Home by Automating the HVAC System
A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature accordingly based on the time of day. For instance, if you leave for work at 8 a.m, you can set the thermostat to adjust the heating or cooling accordingly. Similarly, you can program the thermostat to set your heating or cooling to a specific temperature just before you return from work.
Along with your thermostat, consider installing smart lighting. You can remotely control lighting from an app on your phone and even install motion sensors to turn lights on and off as you walk in and out of a room. This will reduce help to reduce your home’s power consumption and your utility bills.
Appalachian Inspection Services offers home inspections to customers in Western North Carolina. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to request our services.