Purchasing a home comes with many types of expenses. You’ll need to pay lots of bills to ensure your home is a comfortable space. However, you might not realize that there are ways to lower what you’re spending on these bills. Implementing a few changes in your home might end up saving you lots of money each month. Here are five ways to live in a more efficient home.
1. Purchase Solar Panels
One of the best ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home is to install solar panels. Solar energy is the most abundant energy source on the planet. It’s best to avoid installing these panels on your own. Instead, you’ll want to contact a solar panel installation company. Solar panels allow you to have over 30 years of continuous renewable energy production.
By utilizing solar energy, you’ll avoid spending as much money on electricity. In turn, this makes your home more energy efficient while lowering your electricity bills. Also, you don’t have to worry about solar panels costing you lots of money. Research shows that the cost of these panels has fallen 99% since the year 1977. Therefore, having solar panels are an affordable way to avoid spending lots of money on energy bills.
2. Use a Low Flow Shower Head
Many homeowners find themselves using lots of water. The average showerhead generates about five gallons of water per minute. This type of water use adds up, especially for homes with lots of inhabitants. If you’re wanting to begin enjoying lower waters, it’s unlikely you want to cut down your shower time. For an easier remedy to this problem, install low flow showerheads in your bathrooms. Low flow showerheads have a flow rate of less than two and a half gallons per minute. By using these types of showerheads, you’ll be using about 50% less water.
3. Unplug Items You’re Not Using
Not all types of energy efficient techniques require lots of time and effort. Considering that, unplugging items you’re not using can provide lots of savings. This is such a problem that experts refer to unused, plugged in items as energy vampires. Of course, having a single item plugged in regularly won’t make much of a difference. However, these costs accumulate when you have lots of unused items that are plugged in. Therefore, it’s wise to keep a close eye on your home’s electrical outlets. If you see items that are plugged in while not in use, unplug them.
4. Check for Leaks Throughout Your Home
It’s understandable to have air leaks you’re unaware of. Unfortunately, these leaks might be difficult to see. Considering that, you might consider hiring a professional to check for leaks in your home. While this might cost more than doing it yourself, it’s beneficial to have a professional check this out. Common locations for air leaks include areas around windows, fireplaces, and doors.
5. Consider Replacing Your HVAC System
Throughout the year, many people depend on HVAC systems to keep their homes at optimal temperatures. However, you might have outdated heating and cooling equipment in your home. This can cause you to spend lots of money on heating and cooling your residence. To solve this problem, it’s time to think about purchase an energy efficient HVAC system.
To summarize, it’s a good idea to learn how to make your home more efficient. After utilizing these methods, you’ll likely be in amazement regarding how much money you’re saving each month. You’re also doing your part to keep our planet safe for future generations.
