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In todayu2019s world, with energy costs on the rise, it makes sense for homeowners to make their homes as energy efficient as possible. Here are some simple tips that can help lower your homeu2019s energy usage and keep your energy costs down throughout the year.
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USE SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY Smart lighting, for example, saves money because you can control lights from anywhere. If you’ve left one on during the day, you can turn it off remotely using a smartphone. Lighting can even be motion-sensor controlled, so the lights are never on unless they need to be (i.e. when someone walks into the room). The same goes for all types of smart appliances.
INSTALL A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM Installing a solar energy system is an investment in the long term. While there is a significant upfront cost, a solar power system can lead to massive energy savings. All of your energy needs during daylight hours can come from free solar energy, reducing energy bills each month.
INSULATE YOUR CEILING AND WALLS Adding insulation to your home is easier than you think. Your roof cavity is quite easily accessible, and therefore it’s not hard to add insulation batts up there to prevent heat from escaping through the roof. With proper ventilation, you can also prevent moisture buildup in the roof cavity.
WEATHERSTRIP YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS Weatherstripping is a great way to save energy. It’s easy to add, and it can be removed without damaging your doors or windows. This keeps drafts from coming into your home through cracks between the door frame and its surrounding trim. But it also stops warm air from escaping your home. As we mentioned above regarding insulation, when your heating and cooling system doesn’t need to work as hard, it costs much less to run.
USE NATURAL LIGHT Natural light is an excellent way to brighten up your home and save money. Sunlight streaming in through your windows helps warm your house in winter, therefore saving money. Plus, you won’t need artificial lighting during the day, so there are more savings. Skylights are a great way to bring natural light into your home. They can be installed in almost any room of the house, and they’re an efficient way to bring natural light into your home by using less electricity than other types of lighting.
RUN COSTLY APPLIANCES DURING OFF-PEAK ENERGY TIMES Even if you don’t have a solar installation, you can still be smart about energy use. Washing machines, dryers and dishwashers are notoriously expensive to run. Check with your energy retailer to find out when the peak and off-peak times are. Electricity is cheaper in off-peak periods, so this is the perfect time to run your expensive appliances.