By Tim Meredith
With so many people working from home, tempers aren’t the only things flaring … so are our energy bills. We’re doing a lot more streaming, leaving on more lights, and turning up the heat. But with a few simple changes, you can save money — if not your sanity — by making your home more energy-efficient.
Here are some simple ways to cut your utility costs by switching your thermostat, unplugging not-in-use appliances, checking your windows, conserving water, and changing some habits.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow you to control your home’s temperature automatically by setting your heating and cooling around your daily schedule. This saves you money and maintains a comfortable temperature while you’re at home and when you’re away.
Programmable thermostats are affordable. They’re often on sale and utility companies like Pacific Gas and Electric offer rebates on smart thermostats to help lower the cost even further.
Unplug!
Take a look around your home and you’ll likely spot energy vampires. Those electrical monsters that suck up your energy and are partly to blame for those soaring energy bills. We’re talking about televisions, video game consoles, lamps, appliances, and computers.
The biggest energy vampire in your home? Your DVR box. Digital recording boxes waste billions in electricity each year.
When you’re not watching your TV, unplug it. The same goes for the toaster. Also, unplug the phone charger from the wall once the phone is fully charged. And use the laptop while you’re on a Zoom call because it will use less energy than a desktop computer.
Check Windows and Seal Cracks
Inspect your windows and seal any cracks or leaks around your home. It’s a cheap way to lower your energy costs.
Go a step further and add a window film like Thinsulate. The insulated window film not only keeps you cozy in the chilly winter months in Northern California, but cool in the summer as well. And the savings are pretty significant — up to 10% on your energy costs.
Conserve Water
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the average family of four uses 400 gallons of water a day. Turn off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth. That simple tip alone can save you up to 8 gallons of water.
Other ideas to reduce water waste? Wash clothes in cold water, fix any toilet leaks, and water your lawn early in the morning or late at night in the summer.
You also can reduce your water usage by planting native plants such as California fuchsia or milkweed. Native plants practically grow themselves. They’ll thrive and flourish for seasons to come without extra water or maintenance.
Replace Bulbs
Swap out those incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs for LEDs for one of the most affordable and easiest ways to reduce energy costs. The LED bulbs last longer, and by just replacing five bulbs with Energy Star-approved LED bulbs, you can save up to $100 a year on your energy bill.
No Peeking While Baking
Resist the urge to open the oven while that apple pie or casserole is baking. Every time you open the oven door to take a peek, the temperature can drop 25 degrees, causing your oven to use even more energy to bring the temperature back up to the initial setting.
Co$t-Efficient
We’ve focused on the most cost-effective ways to save you energy and money.
Sure, you could add solar panels or install triple-pane windows to cut down on your heating and electricity costs. While those improvements will save you in the long term, you’ll have to own your home for a while to recoup the investment. By insulating your windows with window film, you’ll see the savings immediately.
Call us and we’ll help you make your home more energy-efficient! We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Call Window Works customer care at 415-650-5200 for pricing and more information.
Tim Meredith is an eco-friendly landscaper and freelance writer who started mowing lawns as a teenager to earn extra cash. He uses only organic pest control and fertilizers, solar accent lights, and electric lawn mowers.
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