Here in Plainfield, IL, we know that saving money is one of the most important goals at the forefront of homeowners’ minds, and that every penny you can save is a penny closer to your dreams.
One of the easiest and most environmentally friendly ways to save money is by making your home more efficient and using less energy, because this will result in lower energy bills. And to get you started, here are three steps you can take right away to start seeing the results on your power bills.
1. Seal Air Leaks in Your Home’s Duct System
Air leaks in your ducts are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to energy inefficiency problems in the home. As much as 20 to 30 percent of the air pushed through the ducts gets lost, and this mean your furnace or air conditioner must work 20 to 30 percent harder to keep your home as comfortable as you like it.
Not sure if your duct system has leaks? Here are some symptoms to look for:
- Rooms that are difficult to heat or cool
- There are kinks or tangles in the ducts
- Your energy bills are suspiciously high during the cooling and heating seasons
- Some rooms are stuffy and uncomfortable even though air should be circulating
There are two ways you can address duct leaks: you can either go around and inspect visible ducts yourself, wrapping them with insulation and metal tape when you find problems, or you can call in a professional who will make sure the job is done thoroughly, and that all leaks, joints, and seams are properly sealed.
2. Use Drapes to Control the Temperature in Your Home
Did you know that curtains and drapes serve a purpose much beyond simple decoration, and that you can actually use these wonderful window coverings to help control the temperature in your house?
In summer, the summer sun will beat into your windows and drastically increase the temperature in your home, forcing your air conditioner to work harder. Thick drapes with a light-colored back lining can help reduce this extra heat in your house.
Conversely, come wintertime, thick drapes can keep excess cold out of your house by protecting the windows when the sun is down, and then you can open the curtains during the day to let the sun and heat in. For the best results, buy energy-efficient floor-length drapes, and seal the drapes to the wall with magnetic tape.
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can make your home more energy efficient by giving you control over the temperature inside when nobody is home.
Unlike a traditional thermostat that you set to one temperature and have to change manually, a programmable one can be set to change temperatures throughout the day, even when you’re not there.
That way, the house will automatically become hotter or cooler during the day and at night when nobody is home or everybody is asleep.
When it comes to saving money around the house, reducing energy use and making your home more efficient are the easiest, most affordable, and most effective ways to accomplish this task. Not only will these steps cost you very little to implement, but they’ll also result in lower energy bills, and that means both a healthier planet and more money in your bank account at the end of each month.
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