Want to know how to save money on utilities?
The right combination of strategies will result in lowering the overall expense and keeping it within reason for years. Here are some simple changes that anyone can make and enjoy the benefits of a more energy efficient property.
Replace the Heating and Cooling System Filters on Time
It’s easy to forget about those filters and leave them in place for too long.
Along with adversely impacting the air quality inside the home, those clogged filters also cause the system to work harder. The result is wasted energy with no additional benefits to show for the effort.
Replace the filters at least as often as the manufacturer recommends, or even more often if there is a pet that spends most of the time indoors.
Think About Installing Artificial Turf
Consider the amount of time and energy it takes to maintain a traditional lawn.
Along with the energy needed to edge the lawn, there’s the fuel for the mower and the watering that becomes essential when there’s been no rain for a while. Over time, the energy involved with the upkeep can create quite an expense.
Choosing to install artificial grass helps on more than one front; there is no longer the need to operate a sprinkler system or spend time spraying down the lawn with a hose. The savings on the water bill alone will make the change worth the initial cost.
The fact that the lawn always looks great without having to spend a lot of time on upkeep is another major plus.
Check the Windows and Exterior Doors
Is air seeping in between the window sashes or underneath the exterior doors?
If so, rest assured that the heating and cooling system is running more often in an effort to keep the indoor temperature comfortable. Adding weather stripping to the sashes and at the base of the exterior doors will slow the flow of air from outdoors and make it easier to control the temperature inside.
The reduced energy consumption will have a positive impact on the amount of natural gas and electricity needed to heat and cool the home.
Make the Most of Ceiling Fans
Using ceiling fans year-round is another way to reduce heating and cooling costs.
During the warmer months, set the fans so the blades turn counterclockwise. This helps to pull warm air upward and keep things cooler below. When cold weather arrives, run the fans on a low setting, but make sure the blades turn clockwise.
Doing so helps to push the warmer air around the ceiling lower and keep the room more comfortable.
Check the Insulation
When was the last time anyone looked at the attic insulation or had a professional inspect the insulation in the exterior walls?
Even the highest quality product will deteriorate over time. Choosing to replace older insulation, such as foam, helps to seal tiny cracks that develop in the frame as your home ages. Thanks to this effort, it will take less energy to heat and cool the home.
Take a look around the house and see what other changes would reduce energy consumption and keep the utility costs within reason. After making a few minor adjustments inside and outside, the homeowner will begin to reap the rewards with the next billing period and enjoy them for many years to come.
