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You don’t have to make it hard to lower your bills and carbon footprint. Just a few small changes in your home and you’ll see big savings and a healthier planet. Imagine opening your next bill and it’s lower than expected – nice!

Your Usage

Knowing how you use electricity at home is key to lowering your bills and carbon footprint. Look at your bill and see what’s the main energy users in your home and you can change.

Your Bill

Look at your bill. Go beyond the total amount due. Look at the usage patterns.

• Kilowatt-Hours (kWh): This shows how much you used over a period. Look for high points during the day or month.
• Rate Plan: Are you on a fixed or variable rate plan? Variable rates can jump through the roof during peak hours.
• Usage Comparisons: Some bills have a comparison to previous months or years. This helps you see trends.

Now you can use energy smarter.

Energy Guzzlers in Your Home

Some appliances and devices are big energy users. Find these energy guzzlers and you can focus on where to cut back.

• Heating and Cooling: HVAC systems use the most electricity. Schedule regular maintenance and set the thermostat wisely.
• Water Heating: Water heaters are also big users. Lower the temp or use less hot water and you’ll save.
• Appliances and Electronics: Fridges, washing machines and entertainment systems add up. Energy efficient models and unplug when not in use.

By focusing on these you’ll make it easier to manage your usage and save.

Energy Efficient Appliances & Lighting

Invest in energy efficient appliances and LED lighting and you’ll lower your bills and carbon footprint.

Energy Star Products

Energy Star products use less energy than non-Energy Star ones.

For example an Energy Star fridge uses 15% less energy and costs less to run per year. Plus these appliances often come with extra features like better insulation and more efficient compressors. They may be a bit more expensive upfront but the savings on your bill and the appliance’s lifespan will make up for it.

LED Lighting

Switch to LED and you’ll see a big decrease in your energy usage. LEDs use up to 90% less power than incandescent bulbs. They last 15 to 25 times longer.

LEDs produce less heat so they’re safer and won’t add to your cooling bill in summer. You can use LEDs in any fixture and application, dimmable lights outdoors.

Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat will make your home more energy efficient. They learn your schedule and adjust the temperature for you so you’re not wasting energy when you’re not home.

Features like smartphone apps and voice control make them more convenient. Smart thermostats can turn down the heat at night or turn up the cooling during the day so you can fine tune the heating and cooling patterns to save energy. They give you reports so you can optimise more.

Renewable Energy & Solar Solutions

Go solar and lower your bills and carbon footprint. Nervous about making the transition? Let’s learn more about what installation looks like. Oh! And if you’re worried about the upfront cost, we’ll talk about incentives and rebates, too.

Solar Panel Installation

Installing solar panels on your home is a big step to energy independence. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity so you’ll be less dependent on the grid.

Consider the position and size of your roof as these will affect the performance of the solar panels. South facing roof with no shade is ideal.

Professional installation ensures the panels are properly mounted and connected to your home’s electrical system. For a stress free and efficient installation talk to an expert at Effective Home.

Government Incentives for Renewable Energy

The government has various incentives for homeowners to go renewable. These can be tax credits, rebates and grants to offset the cost of solar panel installation.

For example the UK government’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme lets you earn money for the excess electricity you generate and export back to the grid.

More may apply depending on your location so do research local programs. These incentives will make the investment in solar energy more worthwhile and eco-friendly.

Behavioural Changes & Home Improvements

It may be hard to believe, but making little changes and home improvements can lead to some big savings and reduce your carbon footprint.

Energy Saving Habits

Remember when your dad would always be yelling about leaving the lights on? Well, he was right. Turn those lights off when you’re not using them! You should also unplug devices and use energy efficient appliances – it all adds up!

Go for LED bulbs over incandescent ones – they use less power and last longer.

Use power strips for electronics and turn them off when not in use. Little habits like washing clothes in cold water and air drying dishes make a big difference.

Insulation and Seal Gaps

Insulation and seal gaps in your home and you’ll heat and cool less. Attics, walls and floors to focus on.

Weatherstrip around doors and windows to stop drafts. Insulate attic and basement to keep your home at a consistent temperature—that will warm your home and reduce heating and cooling.

Water Heating Efficiency

Water heating is a big energy saver. Lower your water heater thermostat to 49°C (120°F) and still have plenty of hot water.

Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to use less hot water. Consider a water heater blanket to stop heat from escaping. An energy-efficient water heater is a long-term benefit.

Maintenance and Services

Maintenance and services can make a big impact on your energy usage. By keeping your appliances and systems in good condition they will run better, use less energy and last longer.

HVAC Maintenance

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a big energy eater. Regular maintenance can make it run better and prevent costly repairs.

• Schedule Annual Tune Ups: Have a pro inspect and service your HVAC system at least once a year. They can clean coils, check refrigerant levels and make sure everything is working right.
• Replace Filters: Dirty filters restrict airflow, making your system work harder and use more energy. Replace or clean filters every 1-3 months depending on usage and filter type.
• Seal Ductwork: Leaky ducts can lose a lot of energy. Make sure all ductwork is sealed and insulated to be efficient.

Appliance Maintenance

Appliance maintenance can also make them run better.

• Clean Refrigerator Coils: Dust and dirt on refrigerator coils makes the appliance work harder. Clean the coils every 6 months to be efficient.
• Check Washing Machine Hoses: Check hoses for leaks or cracks and replace if necessary. This prevents water damage and runs efficiently.
• Service Water Heaters: Flush your water heater every year to remove sediment buildup. This will run more efficient and last longer.

Professional Energy Audits

Have a professional energy audit done in your home. An energy auditor will find areas in your home where energy is being wasted and give you recommendations to fix.

• Blower Door Test: This will find air leaks in your home so you can seal them and add insulation.
• Thermal Imaging: Thermal cameras will find heat loss in your home’s structure and show you where to add insulation.

By doing maintenance and services regularly you’ll be running your home at its best and reducing your bills and carbon footprint even more.

Summary

Reducing your bills and carbon footprint is a no brainer and easy to do. By making small changes like using energy efficient appliances, switching to LED lights and smart thermostats you can save energy.

And adding renewable energy sources like solar panels will reduce your reliance on the grid and towards a more eco friendly future.

Knowing your energy usage and where the main energy users in your home are will allow you to make informed decisions and target where you can save the most. Simple behavioural changes like turning off unused lights and appliances and home improvements like insulation and sealing leaks will help you save even more.

By doing this you’ll not only see big savings on your bills but also help combat climate change. Go for it and join the movement towards a greener energy efficient future.