As a new homeowner, you are learning many new things and taking on new responsibilities. You are now responsible for your mortgage as well as other large expenses such as utilities. Often new homeowners don’t realize how expensive their energy bills can become each month if they are not careful. Here are some helpful energy savings tips and pieces of advice for new homeowners.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs throughout the house. These light bulbs are a little more expensive than regular bulbs, however they are worth the money and the initial investment. Energy efficient bulbs last significantly longer, so you won’t have to buy more bulbs for a long time. In addition, they use less energy to provide your home and rooms with the same amount of light and illumination, helping you to cut down on waste and reduce your monthly energy bill costs.
- Consider investing in a programmable thermostat. Technology has come a long way. Instead of manually setting or adjusting your thermostat, choose a more efficient, simple option. Programmable thermostats allow you to pre-set specific temperatures for certain times of the day. If you are out at work during the week from 9-5, your thermostat will know to lower during these hours to conserve energy. The thermostat will also kick back on about 10 minutes before you arrive home, allowing you to come home to a comfortable house at the end of your day!
- Make sure that your new home is properly insulated. Check that your walls have enough insulation. Also, check out your attic and basement spaces since these are often areas where most energy loss occurs. You may even want an insulation professional to come in and inspect or assess your home’s insulation so you can make sure it is up to standards.
- Check to see that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to reduce drafts and energy loss. Look around your home windows and doors to check for gaps, leaks, cracks or holes. Even the smallest spaces can let air in from the outside and allow comfortable air out. This means your heating and cooling systems have to work extra hard, wasting unnecessary energy, to keep your home at a desirable, comfortable temperature. Seal the edges with an indoor caulk that you can purchase at a local hardware store. Also, consider adding a door sweep under any exterior facing doors in your home.
- Turn off appliances when they are not in use and be diligent about shutting off unnecessary lights in your home. Be mindful of shutting off lights when you leave a room. Consider using work lighting to only illuminate the area where you are working instead of completely lighting the entire space with overhead lights. When it comes to appliances and technology, think about plugging these in to a surge protector. This allows you to plugin multiple devise on one strip, making it easier to turn them all off with just one switch instead of many.
As a new homeowner, utilizing these energy saving tips can make a huge difference when it comes to your monthly bills and can help you to feel better about your carbon footprint. Making these changes will ensure positive results from a Denislam Ambit Energy Review since it will help in reducing energy use.