There are two ways to approach your home’s energy costs; you can spend more money on energy-saving, or you can spend less money on energy-consuming appliances. Whether you want to lower your monthly bill or make a positive impact on the environment, these seven tips will help you do both.

Install energy-efficient windows and doors

Replacing old windows and doors is a great way to save energy bills. Properly designed doors and windows let in natural light and keep out drafts at night. This means less power is wasted in heating or cooling unused areas of your home.

Properly designed windows and doors also lead to improved insulation compared with older models, so they will maintain a comfortable indoor temperature all year round without using your heating/AC unit.

Replace your water heater with an energy star model

If you are looking at replacing one appliance with another, consider getting an energy star model for your water heater instead of a standard one. You will cut down on both electricity usage and carbon emissions.

As most newer water heater models have timers that turn the machine off after a certain amount of time, usually between 1-6 hours, it is easy to forget you have a water heater at all. When you switch to an energy star model, you will save on energy bills and water heating costs.

Subscribe to a reliable energy provider like AGL electricity to keep your energy bills in check with justified pricing.

Insulate the attic

You can either buy attic insulation yourself or hire an insulation company to do it for you. If you decide to hire a professional, make sure they get all the cracks and gaps in the ceiling sealed up so that those leaky spots aren’t letting heat get away from your home.

Insulate your home’s exterior

Insulating your home’s exterior can help you lock the heat inside the house during winter, considerably lowering your heating and cooling bills. If you are looking for a more cost-effective way to insulate your home, consider spray foam insulation.

Spray foam is sprayed onto your home’s exterior and then expanded with an electric fan, creating a tight seal around the entire house. If you are looking for a more affordable option, consider quilt insulation or cellulose insulation. Both quilt and cellulose insulation are made from recycled paper products that can keep your home warmer during the winter months.

Seal air leaks

Having air leaks in your walls can cause your HVAC system to work harder and use more energy. To seal these leaks, try using caulk or spray foam insulation around door and window frames, baseboards, and where pipes enter your walls. Check any electrical outlets or light fixtures near windows or doors, these areas often have gaps that allow the air to escape.

Have a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust temperatures based on when you will be home versus when you will be away from home for extended periods, such as when you go to work or school.

These thermostats are often able to adjust temperatures for you automatically, so you don’t have to worry. Adjusting temperatures automatically will save money because your system will not be running constantly and will only heat or cool the home when it needs to. You can also set these thermostats manually if desired.

Replace your lightbulbs with LEDs

LED light bulbs use significantly less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs, so swapping old lightbulbs out for LEDs will go a long way toward lowering your power bill.

Final word

Reducing the energy bills in your home may sound like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. As discussed above, if you take the time to make some simple changes in your home, you can save hundreds of dollars each year!