As summer starts turning into fall, now is the perfect time to adjust your home’s energy usage for the cooler season. Energy expenses are one of the largest drains on your finances as a homeowner, and keeping up with the changing seasons for your home’s energy use can help you save a shocking amount of money. If you want to save money on your utility bills just in time for back to school, use some of these hot tips to reduce your spending.
Major Renovations
While it might seem counterproductive to spend money on energy-saving items for your home, you’ll actually end up saving more by spending larger amounts now. Many homes have appliances or utilities that are outdated and wasting energy, particularly if you use these appliances often. In many cases, homeowners may not even realize they’re wasting energy. The bathroom, for example, is one area of the home with many potential savings in store, especially if you’re willing to renovate. Remodeling your bathroom can expect a return on investment of 70%, so it’s well worth the purchase.
If you’ve been avoiding certain renovations and fixes on your home, doing so now will not only prepare you for the new season, but it can also cut down on energy spending. Roofing is one of the many major components in a home that can improve your energy usage. A metal roof, for example, can easily help save as much as 25% off of your annual home energy bill. Consider changing up the material in order to save some energy.
Small Adjustments
Not all energy saving fixes are going to necessarily take as much effort as renovation requires. Even small adjustments to your daily life can help cut down on energy costs as we move into a cooler season. Try switching out your lights from incandescent to LED, or moving to a programmable thermostat. These are small adjustments that decrease the overall amount of energy required to keep your home in good condition. You’ll hardly notice the changes to your routine, but you’ll certainly recognize how much you’re saving as a result.
Work With Your Company
If your main concern when it comes to saving energy is environmental, it’s important to get in touch with your energy company. Not all electricity sources are the same, and many are more renewable than others. Additionally, it’s possible that your provider has switched your source of energy without you realizing that it’s happened. This impacts both your bills and your carbon footprint. The average American home consumes 40% less natural gas than it did 40 years ago. Energy companies will often shift to alternative fuel sources when they find a cheaper option, like carbon.
While not all providers will offer renewable source options, many smaller providers will offer unique services like these. There are nearly 28 million small businesses in the U.S., and many are created with environmentally-friendly values in mind. Check out local energy providers near you to see if you can adjust your energy source to something more affordable and renewable.
Reducing your energy use and cutting down on your utility spending doesn’t have to be complicated. The right energy company can work with you to help you reduce your consumption. Additionally, taking some extra steps at home, both through major steps like renovation and minor steps like routine changes, can cut down on the energy you use. What sort of changes can you see yourself making to reduce your energy spending this fall? Will you keep things the same as they were over the summer, or will you adjust for the season?
