For many families, homeownership offers great stability and flexibility that renting simply can’t provide, but the rising electric bill and energy costs can become a burden quickly.
If you’re losing money on your home, there are four likely culprits that the roughly 80 million home-owning Americans think about: energy bills, property taxes, mortgage interest, and repairs and maintenance.
So today we want to cover some simple steps to help you reduce your electric bill and other energy costs!
Keep reading to learn about four of the most common ways homeowners waste money on their homes by cutting electricity usage.
1. Cut your electric bill by Adding More Shade
Many homeowners enjoy working in their yards, but they’re not landscaping experts. That means you may not know how much shade your home is getting and how much that shade is saving or costing you.
On the next sunny day in your area, go outside and study how much shade your home gets. A few properly placed trees around your home could save you up to 30 percent on air conditioning costs.
And if you already have trees, or can’t plant any, then consider shading your outdoor areas and windows instead. Reflective awnings, curtains, or shades can save you up to 45 percent on your energy costs
2. Improper Plumbing Can Lead To A Higher Water and Electric Bill
Houses need proper plumbing in order to function and keep you comfortable. You may think your house has the proper plumbing because you’re comfortable and everything functions. But if you’re experiencing small problems like a running toilet or a leaky water hose faucet, then your water bill will be more expensive than it should be.
Check everything in your house that uses water to make sure it’s functioning properly. If possible, take advantage of options that will help you save additional water too, like apps that check water usage and showerheads that use less water.
3. Insulating Correctly Can Cut Down Your Electic Bill In Winter
The biggest electric bill increase is usually due to your home having poor insulation. Insulation should cover your entire house and keep you comfortable, but if it wasn’t properly installed or needs to be replaced, then it’s costing you tons of extra money.
You can do a quick inspection of the insulation in your attic by yourself, but it’s best to call a professional who can use better equipment to examine the insulation all over your home and tell you how to fix it.
Attic Before Insulation
| Attic After Spray Foam Insulation
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4. Unplug Electricity Hogs When Not In Use
Even if you are the most eco-friendly person you know, you must eventually use energy in your home, whether it’s charging your computer as you work from home or baking a birthday cake.
But if your home is using energy when it’s not necessary, then you’re spending more money than you need to, and hurting the environment by demanding more fossil fuels. Make a habit of turning off lights and unplugging electronic devices when you don’t need them. Switch out lightbulbs for newer energy-saving options like LEDs. Upgrade to appliances that use natural gas and are energy efficient.
Insufficient shade, improper plumbing, unnecessary energy, and poor insulation are the four ways your home is losing you money.
A home energy audit is the best place to start if you’re looking for ways to save money on your energy bill while keeping your home comfortable. A professional home energy audit can help you examine and fix all these costly problems, one of the best ways to do this is by scheduling a home energy audit.
Greenlink Energy Solutions can help you identify all the ways your home is losing money and provide solutions that will improve your home’s efficiency and reduce your monthly energy costs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Are you interested in a free home energy assessment?
With the temperatures getting lower and the utility bills going up, it’s important to keep your home energy efficient! We can help with a free energy assessment and give you tips on how to save money this winter through our exclusive 360 home performance program.
Serving Southern Wisconsin and the Greater Rockford Illinois Area.