The cost of living continues to rise. Fortunately, with newer technologies, you can find ways to cut your monthly expenses.
Whether you turn your residence into a smart home or invest in energy-efficient windows, here are eleven tips to help you save money and make your house more efficient.
1. Vinyl Windows
Many homeowners are turning to vinyl windows as a great way to cut costs on monthly energy bills. They also tend to boost your curb appeal, which increases the overall value of your property.
According to KellyWindowandDoor, it’s a solid investment strategy to trade your high utility bills for the lower monthly costs that result from the purchase of vinyl windows; not to mention they add a layer of home security as well.
2. Garage Door Openers
Garage doors are becoming more technologically savvy. New, remotely operated devices empower you to open and close your garage from your phone.
If a friend needs to return something while you’re at work, you can open the garage door right from your app. Through the video feed, you can see what the person is up to and ensure safety as well. Once they’re gone, use the app to close the door.
Amazon now offers a remote garage door opener that gives their delivery workers the ability to open customers’ garages when they’re not at home. That means you won’t have to worry about packages being stolen from your front door.
3. Lighting
Aside from installing energy-efficient light bulbs, automated lighting can enhance your smart house in dozens of ways. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor lighting.
When you come home after working late, automated lights will guide your way and make you feel more safe walking to your front door. Inside, automated lights ensure you save energy and money on your monthly bills.
They offer a bonus as a safety feature. Automated lights can be programmed to turn on in response to outdoor motion sensors, which make it appear as if someone’s home.
4. Thermostats
Did you know that setting your thermostat ten degrees lower during the workday can save up to 15% on your electricity bill every year?
According to Foreign Policy, programmed thermostats are one of the most common ways to automate a home. It’s an effective way to limit your cooling and heating systems from running when you aren’t home or go to sleep.
A programmable thermostat can keep the temperature at the lowest possible level until you choose to change it. Many thermostats can give you access through a remote system or even via your mobile device.
This allows you to monitor your usage when you’re out of town on a vacation or business trip.
5. Window Blinds
What better way to say good morning than with automatic window blinds? Every day you can set the timer to roll up your windows. That way you’ll wake up to sunlight rather than an annoying alarm.
You can also set your automated blinds to close at the same time you set your security system upon leaving the house. This gives you privacy and an element of convenience so you won’t have to shut them yourself.
6. Ditch the Space Heater
Although a space heater might be a comforting appliance, they use more energy than you might realize. Not only are they energy suckers, but they’re also incredibly cost-ineffective. If you’re going to use one, upgrade to a model that is identified as energy-efficient.
7. Start a Compost Pile
You don’t have to employ high tech to make your home more efficient. Starting a compost pile is an excellent way to help the environment and make your household more sustainable.
Your fruits and vegetables will decompose over time. Eventually, they will turn into soil you can use in your garden. That will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.
8. Unplug Unused Electronics
Energy is being consumed through your electronic devices even when they aren’t being operated. After you make your pot of coffee, unplug the coffee maker from the wall.
When you do this, you could save up to 4.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity each week. This, in turn, will reduce your electric bill without your having to do much work.
Or get a smart plug that you can control through an app on your phone wherever you may be. You can plug any device or appliance in it and schedule its on/off times to save you energy and money in the long haul.
Vont Smart Plug features a daily breakdown of your energy use to give you a better idea on how you can make smarter decisions for your home.
9. Watch Your Water Use
According to Quicken Loans, the average homeowner wastes around $170 a year in water alone. Study how much water you use on an average day, then think about ways you can cut back.
You could turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Taking a shower rather than a bath can save as much as 60 gallons a year. Another great way to reduce water usage is by installing low-flow showerheads.
It’s also true that you use more energy by washing your clothes with hot water than with cold. It accomplishes the same thing, so make the change for your next load.
For extra sustainability points, run your washer and dryer loads at night while you’re asleep. This avoids energy consumption during peak hours between 4 PM and 6 PM, when most people are home and using electricity, so you’ll reduce the strain on the power grid.
10. Defrost Your Refrigerator and Freezer
Have you ever opened your freezer to see a build-up of ice around the edges? This indicates that the freezer isn’t working efficiently.
When ice build-up becomes around ¼ inch thick, you should defrost everything. Then check your appliance to see if it’s time for an upgrade that will be less of a drain on your energy bill.
11. Use Bathroom Windows Instead of Vents
After a long shower, you might not have noticed how long you run the vent. Instead of powering the fan, open the windows; they’ll give you the same ventilation you need while saving power.
If you’re using a heater during the colder months, turn it off immediately after you’ve gotten out of the shower. Steam from the water will continue to circulate warm air throughout your bathroom.
Summary
You can find dozens of ways to make your home more energy-efficient. If you want to make a real difference, simple acts across your daily life can make a sustainable impact.
Evaluate your daily habits. See what can be upgraded in your home that’s draining energy and other essential resources for the planet. You’ll be surprised by what you learn!
