Lower Your Energy Bills in 2018 with these 3 Easy Steps

We only just finished ringing in the new year, and that means homeowners still have their minds attuned to resolutions for 2018, including how they can save more money around the house.

Well, we have some good news for you: we have three simple ways that you can save yourself some money every month, and it all has to do with making your home more efficient, reducing the amount of energy you use, and cutting your energy bills.

1. Learn How to Use Curtains and Drapes to Your Advantage

Even though most people just think of drapes and curtains in terms of decoration and privacy, these home accents can also go a long way for helping to make your home more efficient.

One of the factors that affects home efficiency is drafts, and heavy drapes can help to reduce this in winter and keep your home warmer.

Just remember that when you do use heavy drapes in winter, make sure you open them up during the day when the sun is shining on the window to let in the rays and the heat.

Another factor that can make your home less efficient is the hot summer sun, because when this beats through your windows during the cooling season, it means your air conditioner has to work harder. Here, thick drapes with a light-colored liner can reflect these rays and make your house more efficient.

2. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Another great way to reap the benefits of a more energy-efficient house is with a programmable thermostat. Heating and cooling needs account for nearly 50 percent of your energy use, and you can reduce this by up to 30 percent with a simple thermostat upgrade.

These devices help to reduce your energy use and costs by dropping the amount that your furnace and air conditioner work during the day when nobody is home and at night when the family is asleep, and this translates to less energy use.

In the morning and in the evening when everybody is home and awake, set your thermostat to 78 F in the summer and 68 F in winter (if this is comfortable), and then use the programmable thermostat to increase the temperature in summer and drop it in winter during the day and at night.

3. Address Air Duct Leaks

One of the most common themes that comes up during energy audits is leaky ductwork, because these can make your heating and cooling systems highly inefficient.

If there are any holes, leaks, or cracks in your ducks, then air will escape on route from your furnace or A/C to your vents, and this means your heating and cooling devices have to work harder.

In fact, typical homes lose between 20 and 30 percent of the air blowing through their ducts, so sealing these leaks can make your home more efficient, lighten the load on your heating and cooling systems, and reduce your energy bills.

We’ve been serving valued customers in the Annapolis, MD area for many years, and we know how important it is for you to find ways to save money. Reducing your energy use and lowering your energy bills is a great way to end up with more money in your pocket at the end of the month, and this also means you’ll be contributing to a greener planet at the same time, and that’s something everyone can benefit from.