8 Effective Ways to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient
The average amount of money homeowners spend on energy expenses will naturally vary from one household to another. However, one thing is certain – most Americans are spending too much of their hard-earned money on energy-related bills each year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration stated that the average household was spending a little more than $115 per month on electricity in 2019 alone. But, of course, the monthly total has likely increased since then due to inflation.
If you feel like you’re throwing money out the window, you’re not the only one, and you’ll be glad to know there are ways to lower your energy bills in no time. Check out these eight simple yet effective ways to conserve energy, spend less, and save more in the long run while keeping your home comfortable.
#1. Get New Windows Installed
Although installing new windows may seem like another expense, energy-efficient options will help you get back what you’ve spent and more. So, why is it a good idea to get new windows? Those older, drafty windows are causing your bills to be higher as the air from outside quickly works its way inside your property. It’ll be harder for you to keep the temperature under control and at a decent number without blasting your air conditioner on the lowest setting when it’s hot outside. And, when it’s cold outside, you’ll have to turn your heat up even higher to stay warm because that cold air will seep through the poorly insulated windows. If you install new windows, go for double glazed or triple glazed options that offer added insulation, helping you retain heat in your home when the temperature is cold outside. You’ll waste less energy and feel more comfortable in your home with high-quality, energy-efficient windows installed.
#2. Get Window Film Installed
If you can’t afford to replace the windows right now, you can still make them more energy-efficient by installing tinted window film on them. The great thing about window film is that it’s affordable, easy to install, and works wonders at reducing the heat that works its way into your home, helping you conserve more energy. In addition, you can choose the level of tint you’d like the film to have, with the most incredible level of tint offering more protection against the sun and its UV rays while providing you with added privacy.
#3. Use Blackout Curtains
Don’t sleep on the power of blackout curtains. These darker, thick curtains block out the sun to prevent heat from baking through your windows and making your home feel too hot and uncomfortable. The average set of blackout curtains will reduce heating-related expenses by around 24%, which will help you save a few extra dollars on your bill each month. They’re yet another affordable way to effectively make the home more energy-efficient.
#4. Use Weatherstrip Seals for Your Doors
Although windows are one of the biggest causes of wasted energy, they’re not the only thing in the home that you need to be concerned about because air can seep through doors, too! If you stand by the front door or back door of your home and feel some air coming through from the bottom of it, it’s causing you to waste more energy than you need to. Does this mean you need to go out and get an entirely new door installed? No, not exactly. It does mean that it’s an excellent time to purchase a weatherstrip seal kit that you can place at the bottom of each door to block out the excess air. You may also want to install a door sweep to stop drafts. The great thing about door sweeps is that they prevent drafts and keep unwanted pests out of the home, such as roaches and ants!
#5. Hang Your Clothes to Dry
Having a dryer is convenient, but it can waste a lot of energy. If you don’t need to dry something within a few hours, ditch the dryer and hang your wet clothes on a clothesline. If you have a garage or basement, consider setting up a clothesline in one of those spots to hang your clothes to dry as soon as you pull them out of the washing machine. You might even want to install a clothesline in the backyard. The fresh breeze will dry the clothes in no time, leaving them with an incredibly clean, refreshing scent. If you start using a clothesline instead of the dryer, you’ll notice a difference in your energy bills!
#6. Replace Old Bulbs with LED Options
If you have incandescent light bulbs at home, remove and replace them with LED bulbs. You might have found a good deal on them when you were shopping at the store, but that instant saving isn’t worth it when you get your costly electricity bill in the mail. LED light bulbs waste 90% less energy and keep your home well-lit even longer, making them the better choice.
#7. Get a Smart Programmable Thermostat
Gone are the days of adjusting your thermostat in the morning before work and then not being able to change it until you get home. If you install a smart, programmable thermostat, you can adjust the settings as often as you’d like from anywhere, whether at home, at work, or on the go. For example, you may want to turn the heat off in your home on a cold day until you have an hour left at work, giving it plenty of time to work and heat the house without wasting more energy than necessary.
#8. Install a Storm Door
If you don’t already have a storm door installed on your front or back door, it’s one investment worth considering. These doors offer an extra insulation layer to improve energy efficiency throughout the property. They’re available in different materials and styles and can even enhance curb appeal, making your home more valuable and helping you save extra money.
If you’re ready to renovate your home to make it more energy-efficient and save money, choose which project you’d like to start first, such as installing a programmable thermostat or getting new windows. When you need a safe place to put some of your belongings while completing these upgrades in your home, Space Shop Self Storage is here to help!