<p>Maintaining the comforts of home can often be a balance of priorities, especially when money is tight. While downsizing may seem to be the most logical option, it’s natural to want to avoid the stress of relocation at all costs. Luckily, there are often ways to considerably decrease the amount of money spent on your home without the need to call a moving van. This article will explore different ways in which you can make your home more energy efficient, thereby keeping your house warm, your costs down, and your bank account happy.<br />
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<strong>Make sure your equipment is optimized</strong><br />
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Before you think about relying on your weekly lotto ticket to cover your energy costs, consider whether you are throwing money away with faulty equipment. Like any other machine, heating and air conditioning systems need regular maintenance, a task that is often ignored until a device malfunctions. By arranging for a certified technician to check your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system you can ensure that the system is not leaking heat, air or energy that can needlessly increase your monthly bill.<br />
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<strong>Smarten up your home</strong><br />
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Ever forget to turn off the heat when you are out for the day? Do you leave your air conditioning on during a quick run to the store? While having a cold blast of air when you walk in the door is enjoyable on a hot summer day, these moments of pleasure can lead to expensive energy bills over time. In order to ensure you’re getting the most for your money, optimize your home heating and cooling system by programming your thermostat to you daily schedule. For instance, if you hate crawling out a warm bed into a cold room, set your heat to turn on an hour before the alarm blares, as opposed to running all night. Granted, not everyone’s home has a programmable thermostat. Investing in a digital thermostat however, which can be found for less than $100 at the hardware store, will allow you to save up to 10 to 15 percent on your heating and cooling bill, according to a US Department of Energy Study.<br />
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<strong>See energy in a new light</strong><br />
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Saving on your energy bill can be implemented in small and manageable ways. Corny jokes aside, it does not take too many people or too much effort to change a light bulb. Changing the light bulbs in your house from traditional incandescent bulbs to energy efficient florescent bulbs you can save on energy consumption. Not only will florescent bulbs save you money, but they also last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Of course, remember to turn off your lights when leaving a room for extra savings.<br />
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<strong>Let the sun shine through</strong><br />
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If you are serious about changing your energy costs, consider investing in solar panels for an ethical environmental impact that will greatly decrease your energy bills by making you less reliant on oil and gas. Solar panels for home use, also known as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, could help reduce your energy bills anywhere from 25 to 50 percent. Depending on where you live, you may be able to receive government subsidies for your solar panels, such as the UK government’s Feed-in Tariffs scheme, and tax rebates in the US. Once you pay for the initial installation, your solar panels will last up to 40 years, providing you with free energy and minimizing your electricity bill.<br />
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Though thinner wallets and tightened belts are a sign of the times, there is a lot homeowners can do to reduce wasting money. From changing your light bulbs to installing a solar energy system, the more you do to transform your home into an energy-efficient entity, the more money you will save along the way.<br />
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The Best Ways to Save on your Energy Bill: A Guide for Homeowners
