You’ve heard how solar panels can make your home more efficient while saving you money in the long run.
Or how low flow water fixtures can bring your water bill way down, but what’s considered “low flow”?
While being green is one appeal of how to make your home more energy efficient let’s be honest. Being energy efficient saves you money.
Energy star certified homes use up to 10% less power than a traditional home the same size. Think about what you could do with 10% of your power bill back every year.
It doesn’t have to be a dream. If you’ve been wondering how to be more energy efficient this article will show you some of the most cost-effective and easiest ways to make it happen.
The average American household spends about $70 a month on water. So what are energy efficient homes doing differently?
They’re saving water. You’re probably wasting gallons every day by not using efficient appliances and watering methods.
You can save almost half the water you use daily by replacing your old toilets and shower heads with their low flow counterparts.
When looking for new bathroom fixtures look for toilets that use less than 1.6 gallons per flush and a showerhead that uses no more than 2.5 gallons per minute.
While some areas offer discounts for replacing your high maintenance lawn with drought-resistant landscaping, that’s not an option for everyone.
If you love your lawn but need or want to save water one of the easiest ways to do this is by watering early in the morning. You’ll be able to get the same effect with less water because you aren’t losing a bunch of it to evaporation.
Soaker hoses that bring water directly to where it’s needed also help avoid the waste a normal hose creates.
If you think water is expensive, electricity typically runs the average American 30% more than their water bill.
Before you start shutting off all the lights and unplugging all the appliances let’s go over some easy ways to slash your power bill:
While it might be nice to come home to a perfectly chilled house in the summer or a cozy 75? in the dead of winter, it takes a toll on your electricity bill.
Turning your thermostat down while you’re at work can save you up to 15% on your power bill every year. If you must have your house a certain temperature when you get home try getting a smart thermostat. You can get one for under $40 and turn on your A/C from anywhere using your phone.
Older windows and even modern windows can get drafty over time. If you feel a lot of air coming in from your windows make sure to use weatherstripping and some caulking to seal in the air you just paid to heat or cool.
Your home can actually lose up to 25% of its warmth right out the windows.
Space heaters are tempting in the colder months because they bring the heat right to you. There’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee while you warm your toes up on the hot air blasting out of the space heater.
But the average space heater uses around 1,500 watts and can run up your energy bill fast.
Now that we’ve covered some simple ways to reduce your energy bill let’s take a look at some big changes you can make that’ll save you a lot in the long run. Some of these, like solar panels, will take up to 20 years before you see all the money you’ve saved.
While the cost of solar panels might seem hefty, they continue to go down in price. And as electricity prices continue to rise you’ll keep saving with your solar panels.
But let’s get real. Solar panels aren’t cheap. The average installation after tax credits is over $12,000. So how much can you expect to save after installation?
Depending on how much sun you get you can save anywhere from $15,000-$25,000 over the next 20 years. So if you’re planning on staying in your current home solar panels are a great way to cut down on electricity.
Insulation plays a big role in your power bill. Just like a drafty window can be a drain on your electrical usage not having enough insulation or if it’s not installed right can be money out the window.
Attics tend to lack proper insulation and can often be fixed for just over $1,000. While not cheap this is still a much more affordable option for the average homeowner than installing solar panels.
It will also make your home much more attractive to buyers if you plan on moving in the future.
Going green doesn’t mean having to give up your comfort. With the tips in this article, you’re on your way to cutting your energy and water bills in half.
And if you need to dispose of some big-ticket items like old window A/C units or old insulation you’re going to need to rent a dumpster.
But why pay more for less? Some dumpster rental companies leave moving that heavy thing up to you.
It scratches up your driveway as they carelessly drop it off and pick it up.
Don’t burn up more time than you need to making arrangements to transport a dirty dumpster around town. In just a few minutes, you could have an appointment with Bin There Dump That and have your weekend back to enjoy!
Just call us and in a few minutes, we’ll have everything set for you. All you have to do is fill up your dumpster and we take care of the rest. We even lay down boards so your driveway is protected from any damage.
Take your weekend back. Work with the best dumpster rental company in town!
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