Living in a house instead of an apartment has many advantages, but unfortunately, the economy is not one of them. The reality is that the sheer size of such a place is going to have a negative impact on your billing, especially the sum you’re being charged for electricity. To put it simply, the bigger the house, the more power-hungry it gets. Luckily, with a little bit of effort, there are ways to make your energy bills more bearable.
What you need to do is essentially prioritize the energy efficiency of your appliances and devices. It might be a good idea first to replace the biggest offenders, such as an old water heater and AC unit. Next, you should insulate your house properly, invest in LED lighting and start using your fireplace as the primary means of heating the house. With these covered, the sums necessary for your electricity bills are going to get much smaller.
Read on, and see just how much your home budget has improved!
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Replace Your Inefficient Water Heater and Old AC Unit
It’s no secret that some of the biggest energy hogs in the house are the water heater and the AC unit. These appliances are constantly on, using your electricity for a very long time. If you have a water heater over 10 years old, it might be time to consider replacing it with an efficient model. Often, the new water heater cost is offset by the energy savings that you’re going to get. With an AC unit, the same applies. You could consider getting a smaller, more efficient unit that will work much better with your home’s temperature.
Before you buy anything, however, you should get some estimates. There are many websites that allow you to compare the prices of different models and choose the one that suits your needs best. The bottom line is, if you have dozen-year-old devices, they’re probably outdated and already costing you a lot of money. Replacing them with something more modern will be highly beneficial, both for the energy bills and for the comfort of your family, since there will be no more problems with maintaining the temperature of water and air.
Insulate Your House Properly
Insulating the house is another major factor in making your energy bills smaller. If your house isn’t properly insulated, then it’s very likely that you’re paying a lot for heating and cooling. The reason is simple: heat from the inside is easily escaping the house during colder months, and cooler temperatures quickly go up when it’s hot outside.
On the other hand, if your energy-expensive home is well insulated, the temperature your family is used to will be maintained, without the need of constantly running your AC or heater. You could use spray foam insulation to fill the gaps and make your place more energy-efficient. However, there are numerous other methods of insulation that cost less and are just as effective. You should also make sure that your attic, basement, and walls are adequately insulated. This is fairly easy to do on your own, and it’s really worth the effort. Once again, it’s best to get some estimates first, so you know how much money you’re going to be able to save with this.
Install LED Lighting Solutions
One often-overlooked method of making your energy bills smaller is replacing your old lighting solutions with LED ones. This is a very simple process that doesn’t require you to hire any extra help, but it can save you a significant amount of money. With these new solutions, the electricity consumption is significantly lower. The same light output is achieved with the use of less power.
What’s more, the light produced by LEDs can often be brighter and warmer. If you have an older home, this can be a great way to improve its interior. Moreover, there are numerous other benefits such as increased safety, better brightness, and a longer lifespan compared to other types of light bulbs. The time has come for you to invest in these solutions and enjoy them for many years ahead.
Use Your Fireplace as Your Primary Heating Source
A fireplace is an absolute must if you want not just to heat your house but also enjoy the atmosphere of a fire. You should know that there are numerous types of fireplaces and which one is suitable for your needs depends on the size of your place and what kind of fuel you prefer.
These days, most people opt for firewood, which can be bought cheaply at local hardware stores and petrol stations. If you decide to go with this option, make sure that you’ve got a good supply of firewood and a plan for moving it inside. Then, when the weather gets chilly, you can start a fire and relax in front of it while keeping your family warm. Not only will it help keep your house heated and cozy, but it will also give it a rustic look and help you save some money on energy bills.
Conclusion
There are so many things that you can do with your house to make it more energy-efficient and, ultimately, save money. The changes that we’ve listed above are the most important ones that you should definitely make. The good news is that most of these are doable without investing in expensive equipment or hiring a professional. Moreover, if you choose to do the work yourself, it will also give you a sense of accomplishment and even some extra skills for your next home improvement project. Happy heating!