Many families spent more time at home in 2020, which led to higher energy bills for most households. It’s time to take control of your energy use, look for ways to reduce your bills and diminish your carbon footprint.
The following tips will help you lower your energy consumption in 2021.
Stop air leaks in their tracks
Air leakage can be a costly problem. Doors, windows and roof joists are common culprits. Small leaks and openings can let air out, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
It’s possible to seal these cracks and see a reduction of 5-40% on your heating and cooling bills. A contractor can perform a leak inspection to find the different sources of air leakage in your home and seal them.
Rethink and reduce appliance use
Adopting a few simple habits can decrease how much energy your appliances use:
- Select a colder cycle on your washer to reduce its power consumption by up to 90%.
- Replace worn-out seals on your fridge and freezer.
- Don’t open the oven door when cooking.
- Use natural light instead of turning the lights on.
- Keep your home a few degrees cooler.
- Use an electricity usage monitor to identify the appliances and electronics that use the most power.
- Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models.
Rely on smart homes to save the day (and the energy)
Some smart home products can reduce your energy use. Because heating and cooling tend to cost more than other appliances, you can save the most by investing in a smart thermostat.
You can also reduce your energy bills by using smart light bulbs that you can dim or put on a timer. Smart power strips can cut off power to reduce standby consumption too.
Ready, set, go solar!
Even though some energy providers have been investing in clean solutions, many still rely on fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases during their production and distribution processes.
Investing in solar panels is one of the most drastic measures you can take to slash your energy bills. You can either power your appliances with the energy you produce and store in a battery system or sell the energy to your local provider.
Dive in with Dividend
You can reduce your energy use and save money on your monthly bills by being more mindful of how you use your appliances, addressing air leakage in your home, and investing in products like smart appliances or solar panels.
Dividend Finance offers financing solutions for your solar and home improvement projects. We work with contractors to make financing affordable and easy to access for all your projects. Interested in learning more? Ask your contractor about financing through Dividend today!
