Taking care of your home can be very expensive. It can get even more costly during cold weather when you have to find ways to keep the interior of your house warm. If you’re looking for ways to lower your energy, there are some immediate and long-term plans you can make. Here are some ways to save energy in your home this winter.
1. Update Your HVAC System
If your HVAC isn’t running as well as it used to, it might be time to update it. Machinery has a particular lifespan and once you reach the end of it, it can cause your systems to work poorly. This results in them needing to use extra energy to make the same amount of impact they used to. Look into updating your HVAC before the weather gets cold. 33% of the worldwide HVAC market in 2019 belonged to the private sector. This means there are many options available to you. Look for a good contractor and repair your system. This will allow it to use less energy, saving you money on your home.
2. Improve Your Insulation
A good heating system can be impacted by a lack of insulation in your home. All the energy is going to go out of your house through these weak points, meaning your system will have to make up the difference. This uses extra energy, which costs you more money. Insulate your home before the winter arrives. Find places where your insulation is lacking, then focus on repairing those. It could be your walls or it could be your roof. A metal roof reflects the sun’s UV and infrared rays, resulting in a reduction of cooling costs of about 10% to 25% in the summer. If you make similar changes for the winter, it will also reduce your energy costs then.
3. Turn the Heat Down
The simplest way to save money on your energy bills at home this winter is to turn the heat down. You don’t want to turn it off entirely since this could be dangerous for your family’s health. It can also cause your pipes to freeze and potentially burst, which would result in expensive damage. If you turn your heat down just a little, you can save a lot of money on your energy bills. Set it to a cool but comfortable temperature and keep it there.
4. Find Creative Ways to Stay Warm
If your house still feels too cold after you turn the heat down, you can find other ways to get warm. Wear comfortable sweaters, curl up with a cozy blanket, or take a hot bath. While you will still need to heat the water, it might be cheaper than heating your home. Keep this in mind as you look for ways to save money. Unfortunately, 13.7% of water use is the result of leaks. If you leak hot water, then you’re wasting water and energy. However, an occasional hot bath can help you warm your body without boosting the temperature of your home.
5. Get New Windows
If you’re investing in home upgrades, consider buying more energy-efficient windows as part of your renovation. Since your home loses heat through the windows, getting some that are specifically designed to prevent this can keep you from wasting your money. While this is an investment, it is one that will pay off in the future.
Energy costs can get very expensive, so you want to find ways to lower them in your home. Consider these tips and apply them to your situation to save energy in your home this winter.
