DIY: Home Energy Efficiency Hacks

Every month you pay your electric bill, and every month you wish it was lower. Even if you think you are remembering to turn off the lights and put your ceiling fans to use, there are still plenty of ways that you can reduce your home energy costs that you may not have thought about. Here are six home energy efficiency hacks that you should be implementing today if you want to see a smaller electric bill next month:

Remember to Close the Damper in Your Fireplace

If you are not using your fireplace, then it is important to remember to close the damper. You pay good money for your HVAC system to heat or cool your inside air, and you don’t want this air escaping.

Integrate LED Light Bulbs Throughout Your Home

Not that long ago, CFL light bulbs were the way to make your home energy efficient, but these spiral lightbulbs are old news. Now, you will want to replace all of the light bulbs in your home with LED light bulbs. Not only do they use substantially less energy than both incandescent and CFL bulbs, they can last up to 25 times as long.

Seal All Doors and Windows

Again, you are spending your hard-earned money to keep the air inside your home a comfortable temperature, so the last thing you want is for this perfectly regulated air to escape through leaks in your doors or windows. On average, a third of the heat from your home is lost this way, resulting in an average of $350 a year in energy bills.

Put a Power Strip to Work

Did you realize that your electronics all use electricity when they are plugged in, even if the device itself is turned off? It’s true. In fact, if you can remember to actually unplug your electronics when you are done using them, you can save up to $100 per year. Clearly, going around and unplugging everything can be daunting, so it often gets skipped. However, you can achieve the same effect by using a power strip. With the click of a switch, the devices are as good as unplugged.

Add Insulation to Your Hot Water Heater

Whether your home uses gas or electric energy to heat the water supply, it is likely one of the biggest expenses on your utility bill. It takes a lot of work to keep such a large amount of water warm and ready for use. You can cut back on some of this work by insulating the hot water heater.

Change Your Energy Provider

If you are simply using the utility company you were told about when you moved in, there is chance you are spending too much money. In most states, you now legally have the option to choose who supplies your energy. By comparing third-party energy suppliers, you can take away the monopoly your utility company wants you to think they have and save some money on the cost of your energy supply.

By taking a few simple steps, you can make a big difference in your energy usage. It doesn’t take very much effort on your part, but once implemented, it can result in substantial savings on your energy bill.