3 Simple Tips to Increase Your Home's Energy Efficiency

Many homeowners are perfectly content to pay their home’s energy bill each month without batting an eyelash. “It is what it is,” that line of thinking goes. But spending more than necessary every month can really add up; if you spend decades overpaying, you could lose several thousands of dollars.

The good news is that improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t involve a lot of time or effort. You just need to know what to do. Here are three simple tips.

Lower Your Home’s Temperature

Lowering your home’s temperature even slightly can have a big impact on your energy bill. By turning it down at night when everyone is sound asleep, and during the day when everyone is away, you can save big bucks. Of course, the opposite is true in the summer when you’re running the A/C.

Natural sunlight can be a big help with heating your home. Open the curtains during the wintertime to let sunlight into heat your home. Close the curtains during the summertime to keep the sunlight out and your home cool. You might also want to consider planting trees outside to bring your home some much-needed shade in the summertime.

Unplug Electronics When You’re Not Using Them

You know that video game system and stereo that’s collecting dust underneath your TV? Don’t just turn them off – unplug them. It’ll help you save on energy costs because electronics still use energy when they’re plugged in, even when switched off. They consume what is known as “phantom energy.”

Unplugging just one not-in-use item can save you big bucks over the years. For example, by unplugging a seldom used refrigerator in your basement, you could save yourself about $10 a month. That’s $120 over year. Not bad for just for one appliance.

Even unplugging your phone charger can make a difference. By leaving it plugged in, you’re needlessly using energy. A simple solution is to purchase a power bar. A power bar is money well spent and literally pays for itself. When electronics aren’t in use, turn off the power bar to save on energy. It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

Replace Your Lightbulbs With Newer Models

Are you using older lightbulbs in your home? By switching to fluorescent bulbs, your home’s energy efficiency will increase tremendously. Fluorescent bulbs may cost you more initially, but the long-term savings are well worth it. Fluorescent bulbs have been proven to last up to 12 times longer than regular lightbulbs and they use less energy to light your home, saving you even more money over the long-run.