As inflation rises and paychecks stay stagnant, we’re all looking for ways to budget and cut down costs. One area people are looking at is their home energy breakdown and how they can be more efficient and save money. In this article, we will lay out some tips and tricks that will help you keep track of your energy efficiency and keep a little extra cash in your bank account.
Keep Your Energy Bills Organized
We suggest setting up a place where you can keep your bills organized so you can easily refer to them to see how much you’re spending every month. This can be a drawer in your home or you can put them in a folder on the shelf. Nowadays, however, a lot of energy companies also allow you to view your bill online. You can take this information and put it into an organized spreadsheet on your computer and completely do away with the papers.
Pay Attention to Energy Efficiency Rates
Many devices like your HVAC unit have an energy efficiency rate. Simply put, this is the amount of energy that needs to go into the machine versus the amount of work that’s put out. To help customers make informed choices, the government gives products ENERGY STAR ratings which lets you know how much energy they will use under normal conditions. This allows customers to compare devices when shopping around.
Make Your Home SMART
Another way to keep track of your home’s energy use is by installing smart devices. For instance, a smart thermostat can monitor energy output and adjust accordingly. It can learn when you and your family are away from the house so the AC isn’t running when no one is there. And they can even use local weather information to make those energy-saving adjustments automatically.
Use Energy Tracking Tools
There are a number of apps available to help keep track of your home’s energy usage. They can monitor everything from the HVAC unit and refrigerator to your gaming consoles and computer. Once all the data is crunched, the app will be able to show you your current output and expected costs. We suggest you explore all of the different app options, both on smartphones and on your home computer. Leave the energy calculation to the machines!
Upgrade Your AC Unit
Heating and cooling are the largest energy gobblers in your home– even when working in peak condition. However, if your system is old, needs repair, or hasn’t been serviced in a while, then it can become incredibly inefficient and cause you to spend more on those monthly energy bills. Upgrading and installing a newer model can help save you money and is a great investment for the future.
We hope these tips and tricks help you become more energy-efficient and sustainable.
Are you in need of heating repairs? Looking for a world-class air conditioning installation in Montgomery County? For better AC efficiency and results, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.