Lowering bills is what we do here at WhiteFence. While we usually focus on finding the best deal on services, another easy way to lower bills is to reduce how much you use your services. While you can't really save anything by watching less TV or using your Internet service less, with electricity and natural gas, the less you use, the less you pay. Besides keeping your house warmer in the summer and colder in the winter, there are lots of ways to boost your home's energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort.
Here are some easy ways to start saving now:
- Beef Up Your Insulation - Insulation is your biggest tool to fight heating and cooling costs. Adding additional insulation to your attic will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer for less. If your house is older, it's probably time to upgrade to some modern, more efficient insulation or even the new spray-in insulation. Beyond the traditional attic insulation, you can beef up the insulation in your walls and areas people oftentimes overlook, like the garage door.
- Fix Ducting Leaks - Many times in older homes, the ducting that moves the air from the furnace or air conditioner develops leaks. Most systems lose about 20% of their efficiency due to leaks. Check your ducting leaks, and seal any with good old duct tape.
- Use Curtains - Curtains can help keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter. If you already have curtains, consider switching to thicker versions. To take it a step further, you can plant large trees and bushes in front of windows to cut out even more sunlight.
- Switch to a Programmable Thermostat - Turning off heating and cooling when you are not home is an easy way to cut energy usage, but it can be a hassle to remember and you have to wait when you get home for the house to get back to the desired temperature. A programmable thermostat automates that process.
- Go Tank-Less - To keep a supply of hot water ready 24/7, your water heater has to keep working even if you don't need hot water. A tank-less water heater only heats your water as you use it. This switch can cut your hot water costs in half.
- Improve Weatherstripping - One of the biggest culprits for high electricity bills is outside air getting into the house around doors and windows. Make sure your weatherstripping throughout the house is intact and seal any leaks with caulk. This will neutralize and leaks, keeping cool air from escaping in the summer and preventing drafts in the winter. To take it a step father, you can caulk any gaps around electrical sockets or baseboards.
- Upgrade Appliances to ENERGY STAR Units - Old appliances use way more power than is necessary. Upgrading to new efficient models makes saving energy a snap. The government's ENERGY STAR program makes it easy to identify the most efficiency appliances out there. Just look for the ENERGY STAR label when you're shopping, and you'll be able to get the cold, hard facts on efficient that new fridge or stove really is.
- Clean Your Filters - It's basic maintenance, but neglecting that poor A/C or furnace filter can make those units work much harder.
- Get an A/C Checkup - Air conditioning units slowly lose efficiency every year. If your unit hasn't been check recently, schedule a check up for your air conditioner at the start of the cooling season to ensure it's working at peak efficiency. The same goes for your furnace in the winter.
- Upgrade Your Light-bulbs - If you haven't already, replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs will cut your lighting costs big time. The new bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last years longer than the old bulbs.
- Check Window Unit Placement - If you use window unit A/C units, make sure they are installed in an efficient location. Placing window units on the north or shady side of the home keeps them from running on overtime.
- Kill Energy Vampires - Many household items continue to use up power even when they are not in use. Unplug any appliances or electronics that are not in use to stop wasting money on vampires. You can also switch to smart energy efficient power strips that automatically kill the power when an item is not in use.
Following these simple tips can boost your energy efficiency and slash your energy bills year-round. Of course, for maximum savings on those bills, shop around for the best deal on natural gas and electricity right here on WhiteFence. Just enter your address now to see what awesome deals are waiting!
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