Handling a house budget is not an easy task. Once you put it all on paper and add everything up, the total costs you need to cover might turn out to be extremely high. Worrying about bills you have to pay is nerve-wracking, time-consuming, and exhausting. But there is a way to go around this so you can, just like it has been said in the Josco Energy’s brand commercial – “save your energy for what matters the most”. Just by adjusting your habits a bit or turning to eco-solutions, you can lower your energy bills and make your house both cost- and energy-efficient. Read on to find out how.
Be Mindful About How You Spend
How many times has it happened to you to leave the lights on and go out? Or to forget to turn your computer off over the night? This little thing might seem insignificant, but they gradually add up, and by the beginning of next month – you’re left with an unpleasant surprise when you see the bill. In addition, it today’s digital era, we’re plugging in all sorts of devices – phones, tablets, laptops. The convenience we’re used to, as well as the fast-paced every day, make us forget to unplug the appliances we’re not currently using. These continue using energy even if they are not charging.
Investing More Means Gaining More (In the Long Run)
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2015 – households in the States were spending around $114 per month solely on electricity. One of the ways to permanently cut down the costs is to invest in home renovation and implement energy-efficient solutions. If you choose to replace your windows and opt for the vinyl ones, statistics show that you can save up to 15% annually on your energy bills. Solar panels are a great solution, but since this is a source of energy that is fairly new when it comes to the accessibility for the public – it’s still rather expensive. Depending on the size and strength, the price range is between $13.000 and $23.000 for an average household.
Seal Air Leaks to Save Up
If you’re looking for a way to keep the energy you use inside of your home, think about the option of adding insulation and weather strips. By doing so, you will kill two birds with one stone: not only will this lower your energy bills, but it will also create temperature consistency within your home, as well as the optimal air quality. The average costs for these works are between $250 and $300, and these save over $60 per year on your energy bills. Seal attics, plumbing lines, and electric wires for the best efficiency.
Switch to LED Bulbs
Light emitting diode bulbs are probably the most common way of saving up energy within your home, a true long-term investment. They are more expensive than regular bulbs, but there is a fairly good reason for that: they are proven to be more efficient, they save money in the long run, plus they have a bigger lifespan. If you replace all the incandescent bulbs with LED ones, you can expect to save a minimum of $60 per year.
Mind the Water Temperature
Most of the freshly bought water heaters have set temperatures to 140 degrees. To save up, put it to 120 degrees. Fun fact: for every 10 degrees you turn it down, you save up to 5% on your bill. In addition, use insulating materials to wrap the hot water pipes and prevent heat loss. This way, the water arriving at the faucet will be up to 4 degrees warmer. This saves you both your money and energy. Same can be done with insulating blankets, in case you have an old water tank. It has proven to save up to 9% when it comes to the monthly energy bill.
A little bit of effort goes long way and the already mentioned mindful approach is definitely an ally to your wallet.
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