In today’s world, with energy costs on the rise, it makes sense for homeowners to make their homes as energy efficient as possible. Here are some simple tips that can help lower your home’s energy usage and keep your energy costs down throughout the year.

Use smart home technology

It seems like there’s a smart version of almost every appliance now. And that’s a win for people who want to save money. While you might think more technology means more electricity usage, that’s not always the case.

Smart lighting, for example, saves money because you can control lights from anywhere. If you’ve left one on during the day, you can turn it off remotely using a smartphone. Lighting can even be motion-sensor controlled, so the lights are never on unless they need to be (i.e. when someone walks into the room). The same goes for all types of smart appliances.

You can even control the heating in your home with smart technology, such as only turning your heater on a short time before arriving home. Being able to control electronic devices and appliances remotely certainly saves you money.

 Install a solar energy system

Installing a solar energy system is an investment in the long term. While there is a significant upfront cost, a solar power system can lead to massive energy savings. All of your energy needs during daylight hours can come from free solar energy, reducing energy bills each month.

If you choose to purchase a solar battery too, then you can store excess energy and use it at night. With free energy from the sun, and the ability to store it, you can almost break completely free of energy retailers and be more self-sufficient.

 Insulate your ceiling and walls

Adding insulation to your home is easier than you think. Your roof cavity is quite easily accessible, and therefore it’s not hard to add insulation batts up there to prevent heat from escaping through the roof. With proper ventilation, you can also prevent moisture buildup in the roof cavity.

Insulating walls in an existing home is a little more complicated. However, you can now purchase sprayable foam insulation that only requires a small hole in the wall. By keeping heat inside during winter, and conversely keeping heat outside in summer, your heating and cooling system doesn’t need to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. As a result, you save money on electricity.

Weatherstrip your doors and windows

Weatherstripping is a great way to save energy. It’s easy to add, and it can be removed without damaging your doors or windows. This keeps drafts from coming into your home through cracks between the door frame and its surrounding trim. But it also stops warm air from escaping your home. As we mentioned above regarding insulation, when your heating and cooling system doesn’t need to work as hard, it costs much less to run.

Use natural light

Natural light is an excellent way to brighten up your home and save money. Sunlight streaming in through your windows helps warm your house in winter, therefore saving money. Plus, you won’t need artificial lighting during the day, so there are more savings. Skylights are a great way to bring natural light into your home. They can be installed in almost any room of the house, and they’re an efficient way to bring natural light into your home by using less electricity than other types of lighting. 

Run costly appliances during off-peak energy times

Even if you don’t have a solar installation, you can still be smart about energy use. Washing machines, dryers and dishwashers are notoriously expensive to run. Check with your energy retailer to find out when the peak and off-peak times are. Electricity is cheaper in off-peak periods, so this is the perfect time to run your expensive appliances.

If you do have solar energy, you can save even more by following the same principle. Set your costly appliances to operate during daylight hours when they can be powered by free energy from the sun. This will help you maximise solar savings, or simply cut your electricity costs.

Want to consider a solar installation for your home?

Solar is an excellent way to save money and help the environment. It’s a win-win, so if you’d like to know how much money you can save with a solar power system at your home, contact the team at SolarBright today.

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