Three Ways Your House Is Driving Up Your Energy Bill
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You forget to turn off the lights when you leave the room. You run the AC when you’re not at home. You use your dishwasher and laundry machines during the day. These are behaviors you can control that can make a dent in saving energy use at home. But what about the bigger things jacking up your bill, like the home itself? Here are three big but simple changes you can make at home that will make a difference on that energy bill.
Tighten Up Your Attic
Two things: ventilation and insulation.
First, if your attic doesn’t have sufficient ventilation, it’s like there’s a giant oven on top of your house while you’re trying to cool it down. It’s going to make that AC work harder, which uses more energy. Ventilation keeps air moving in the attic, keeping it cooler up there.
Second, plenty of insulation keeps that warm air from seeping into the conditioned space below. Current standards are 13-15 inches, but they’re about to change to 18 inches in our area. It’s important to keep up with your insulation level and maintain it from time to time. You can add to existing insulation as long as what’s already there is in good condition. Insulation typically lasts 15-20 years.
Replace Window Seals
If you have this tell-tale fog that you can’t rub off on your windows, it’s a sign that you have broken window seals, and that means your windows are leaking energy. As Inspector Sean explains, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace the window — professionals can often replace the seal by applying a special gas.
However, if you have older windows with single-pane glass, it really is worthwhile to upgrade to new windows. Not only will you save on energy bills, but the upgrade will add to the value of your home.
Replace ‘Dumb’ Appliances
Energy Star reports that homeowners save 8-15% on their energy bill by switching to smart thermostats, and that’s accounting for the learning curve when it comes to working the thing. So if you’re tech savvy, just think how much you could save.
Using smart technology in this way curbs a lot of energy loss. Many new home builders are opting to build with smart electrical panels, saving homeowners even more by affording them control over their entire home at the click of a button. No more “Oops, I left the iron on!”
If you have questions about how you can make your home more energy efficient, you can schedule a home energy assessment. This month, the service is 10% off as a stand-alone assessment or 25% off with a home inspection.
