There are a number of household expenses that likely creep their way into your general expenses on a monthly basis. They may include things such as groceries, toiletries, cable, home maintenance, and also energy bills. It is likely that you’re constantly looking for ways that you can cut down on your bills so that you have a little more to yourself every month. You may want spare cash to save towards a goal or to simply use for your leisure. Regional Energy has the cheapest electricity rates in Alberta so sign up now to start saving. The good news is that there are ways that you can significantly reduce your bills, especially in the energy department. This article is going to give you three tips that should help set you on the path of energy efficiency and save you money as a result.
Perform an Energy Audit
To begin your journey to energy efficiency, you should consider starting with an audit. Just in case you’re not sure exactly what it is, an energy audit can help identify areas in which your home may be vulnerable with the goal of helping you save energy. The cost of an audit can start anywhere from around $300 and some of them charge per the square footage of your house, while others charge by the hour. Guardian Home Insulation offers Orange County insulation and gives free home energy assessments, meaning you could consider that alternative as well. Whether it’s worth the money or not has to be a decision you make on your own. A direct benefit is that a professional can help you identify specific areas in your home that you can save energy, however, if you don’t want to pay for it, you could always do your own research.
One of the things at home that uses the most energy is your HVAC system. Therefore, it is recommended to have regular heating and air conditioning service to maximize their energy-efficiency. When it’s time for a new a/c installation, look for a unit that has the highest energy rating to save more on your utility bills.
Seal Windows
Windows that aren’t adequately sealed can have a direct impact on your energy bill. This is because both cool and hot air can then easily escape through the cracks. You can resolve this issue with a little DIY such as sealing the air leaks in and around the windows. For drafty windows, adding weather-stripping around the frames should help do the trick. Additionally, you can add silicone caulk over cracks in your drywall as a way to help lower your energy costs. You can also try plastic film, draft snakes, and rigid foam, depending on the type of window you’re sealing.
Consider Solar Energy
Solar energy can be a little on the expensive side, but it’s a long-term investment that may produce significant returns in terms of energy saving. Seeing as solar energy is safe, environmentally friendly, and has endless potential for energy supply, residential solar energy systems could be an ideal investment for you to make if you can afford to. Solar panels are an option if you want to supplement your current forms of energy and they could save you up to an average of $84 monthly on your electricity bill.
According to SEM Power: commercial solar companies in Tampa, the main advantage is that it is a renewable, clean source of electricity. Solar power is also scalable. When it’s used on a small scale, extra electricity can be stored in a battery or fed back into the electricity grid. Overall, the sun gives off far more energy than we’ll ever need. The sun has produced energy for billions of years. It is the most important source of energy for life forms, to get a system installed at your business or home, go here. It is a renewable source of energy, unlike non- renewable sources such as fossil fuels. The main benefit of solar energy is that it does not produce any pollutants and is one of the cleanest sources of energy. If you ever decide to install solar panels at home, bear in mind that they need a solar panel cleaning service at least twice a year.
There is so much more to energy efficiency than what has been mentioned in this article. The tips that have been briefly discussed, however, are ways that you can get started and begin saving money. It may take consistency and time before you see significant savings, however, you should try and keep at it. Aside from saving money, energy efficiency can also be a way for you to adopt environmentally friendly energy usage habits.
