Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
4 Easy Ways To Lower Your Energy Bills
Everyone can benefit from knowing how to reduce energy bills at home. The last thing you want to do is spend more money than necessary heating your home and throwing away your hard-earned dollars on excessive bills.
However, not all homes are built the same, and some are more energy-efficient than others. Those homes that do not perform well need to look into ways to improve their homes' energy efficiency and reduce their bills all year round.
With this in mind, what are some practical tips that can help you reduce bills and save money without sacrificing comfort?
Insulating your home with new windows and doors can help lower energy bills
Insulate Your Home
Insulation is one of the best ways to make your home more comfortable all year round. You can insulate any part of your home, from loft insulation and floor and cavity wall insulation to insulating pipes, windows, doors, and even your basement too. An Insulation Contractor can help you determine the correct type of insulation for your home and where it is needed for maximum effect. If you really want to reduce your bills, insulation is the best way to go; the EPA suggests you can save up to 15% on your energy bills by doing this one simple thing.
Seal air leaks so you don’t feel drafts
Seal Air Leaks
Caulking leaks can cost up to $166 per year. That's a lot of money for a simple fix. Go around all of your windows and doors and check for any air leaks. You can use a piece of paper to see if it blows in the breeze or a flame to check for excess air leaks if you wish. Then, once you have identified the leaks, seal them up.
You can hire a company to carry out an energy audit if you wish to help you ensure you find all sources of air leaks and stop up to a third of your energy from leaking from your home via this route.
A cozy home can be energy efficient
Adjust Your Thermostat
Did you know you can save up to 10% on your heating bills by lowering your thermostat overnight by around 10 to 15 degrees? Investing in a smart thermostat can help you adjust your heating and cooling system to the right temperatures to keep your home warm or cool when you're there and avoid wasting energy by maintaining this when you're away from home. Alternatively, you can manually adjust the temperature when you leave home or overnight to get the same effect and save money on your bills each month.
If you like to use lots of blankets to keep your energy bills lower, try our easy blanket storage hack as seen in our 1 minute video below or via our YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
If you have pets, you must change the air filters often
Clean Filters Regularly
Clogged filters don't work as well and put extra pressure on your system, making it work harder for the same results. Some filters can be cleaned and then reused, but others need to be replaced entirely. Always check your system manual and the specific filters to see if you can clean them or if you need to replace them. Doing so can help you avoid undue stress and wear and tear on the system and keep your bills lower, too.
Lowering your energy bills can save you a considerable amount of money over the course of a year. Some tips require an upfront investment, while others can be done with little or no outlay. But all are important options if you want to lower those bills and avoid wasting energy.
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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.