As a homeowner in the current economy, there’s no doubt about the fact that one of your priorities is to save money. This may seem hard to do when you’re also trying to keep your home attractive and your family comfortable. While there are unavoidable costs, you can make some savings, especially as far as hearing and cooling goes. Here’s how you can do this and make sure that you get the best of both savings and comfort.
1. Service Your HVAC Regularly
The best way for you to keep your home energy bills reasonable is to service your HVAC on a regular basis. Doing this is going to keep the system running optimally. It will need less energy to keep the house at a comfortable temperature throughout. Keep in mind that experts agree that a home HVAC system ought to be serviced twice a year, according to Review Home Warranties. Following this advice can help you keep your home energy bills low and also ensure that you stay within the stipulations of your warranty.
2. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
Another way for you to lower your home’s energy bills is by upgrading your thermostat to a programmable one that will change temperatures automatically. This way, there won’t be a chance that you might forget to change it and waste energy heating an empty house. Based on an estimate by ENERGY STAR, homeowners who use programmable thermostats the right way can save about $180 annually. When you combine this with other changes, the amount that you save can add up to an impressive figure. You’ll also be able to control your home’s temperatures from the office or elsewhere via your phone based on the model you choose.
3. Replace Your Roof
If your roof has reached the end of its lifespan or is seriously damaged, you should think about replacing it. Making an upgrade to a roofing material that’s known to be energy-saving can help you keep your home within a comfortable temperature range with less effort from your HVAC. On this note, cool roofs can lower the peak cooling demand of a home by between 10% and 15% as a result of better insulation from the heat, according to Home365. Talk to a professional roofer and find out the roofs that they recommend for energy savings. While this project may cost you a tidy sum upfront, it’s going to pay for itself well in a number of ways.
4. Seal Air Leaks
Last but not least, inspect your home from the roof to the basement. If you find any leaks, seal them immediately. This is because air leaks around the home cost you energy when the treated indoor air leaks outside your home and gets replaced with cold drafts from the outdoors. In a bid to keep the temperature comfortable for your family, you’ll have to crank your air conditioner higher than is necessary.
You can take things a step further by replacing single-pane drafty windows with double-pane ones that will do an amazing job of insulating your home. The fact that they’ll also boost your home’s curb appeal is a definite plus for you. When you get to the basement, make sure that you seal it well enough to keep water out as well. This will keep your home safe from water damage.
These tips can help you manage your home’s energy bills. In the process of doing so, you’ll also be making your home more sustainable. Remember that it may seem to be an expensive endeavor in the beginning, but by the time you’re done, you’ll see the results of your hard work.
