When you own a home, you want to avoid wasting money. Even if you aren’t on a tight budget, there is no reason to be throwing away your money on unnecessary expenses. One of the best ways to do so is to learn how to conserve energy. Your energy bill can often be a major part of your budget, so you can save a lot of money by making changes there. If you’re unsure where to start, here are four ways to save money by saving energy with your house.
Consider Energy Efficiency When Purchasing a House
If you haven’t bought your house yet, make energy efficiency part of your plan. Certain houses naturally take more energy to heat and cool. Old houses can be very leaky, so look into newer construction. The larger the house, the more energy it will need to run. Buying a mobile home can save you 40% on energy costs. Consider all of these things and determine how realistic they are for your needs and budget. If you base your purchasing decision partially on your home’s energy needs, this will give you a head start when trying to save money later on.
Get an Energy Audit
If you already own your home and want to save on energy costs, an energy audit is a great first step. By bringing in professionals to inspect your home, you’ll be able to find problems that you didn’t even know existed. An energy audit checks everything from your windows and doors to the insulation in your attic. It finds all the leaks in your home that can cause your energy bill to skyrocket. Many audit programs can also offer you free materials or discounts on tools you’ll need to repair these problems. So take the time to schedule an energy audit. It can make a significant difference in your energy bills.
Maintain Your Home
As systems in your home get older, they are more likely to leak and consume more energy and resources. If they are neglected, these problems will come on sooner, and you’ll spend more money on both utilities and repairs. To avoid this for as long as possible, you need to stay on top of your home’s maintenance. This includes both your house and your yard. If you use an irrigation system, make sure it is working properly. If your system is well-maintained, you can reduce its water usage by 15% each year. This comes to 7,600 gallons of water. Small changes like this in all of your systems can lead to major savings.
Convert to Solar
Solar energy is the most popular clean energy source, and it can be very doable for homes. While you might need to pay some upfront costs, solar will significantly bring your energy bill down. Plus, it is perfect for the environment. American solar power offsets more than 70 million metric tons of carbon each year. This is the equivalent of planting about 1.2 billion trees. Depending on your immediate budget, you can buy solar equipment, lease it, or rent it. No matter which you choose, solar will eventually save you a lot of money on your electricity bill.
If you want to save money on your home, the best way to do so is by focusing on saving energy. Saving energy will reduce your expenses while also helping the environment. So take these tips and apply them to your own home. Whether you’re shopping for a new place to live or you’re trying to make your current home cheaper and more eco-friendly, there are many ways to save money and energy.
