Utility bills are often the greatest expenses you’ll have to pay each month after rent or mortgage. So it’s not surprising that you would be curious about how you can save back on your energy bill.
The federal government’s Energy Star program reports that, on average, a household in the United States spends more than $2,000 each year on utility bills. That’s upwards of $167 monthly!
To help you keep your head above water, we have compiled a list of 4 ways you can save back on your energy cost. This comprises the significant portion of your utility bills. Clamping down on this can help you avoid feeling the utility-bills-pinch in the summer and winter months. So, these are the 4 ways you can save back on your energy bills:
1. Switch to LED Bulbs
What our grandmothers used to say about turning the lights off before leaving a room, turns out it was totally on-point! An old-fashioned, 100-watt incandescent light bulb running for a full year uses 876 kWh of energy, costing around $131 dollars.
On the other hand, a modern LED bulb uses only 16watts to produce as much brightness as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. This amounts to only 140 kWh of energy use for running a full year, costing just $21!
Not to mention, LED bulbs last for a long, long time, so you won’t need to change them frequently, unlike other bulbs.
2. Install a Smart Thermostat
By far, the highest costs in your energy bill will be related to heating and cooling. By installing a smart or programmable thermostat, you can reduce energy wastage whenever you and your family are away from the house.
A smart thermostat learns your temperature preferences to turn on or increase cooling or heating (depending on the season), for instance, 5 minutes before you cross the threshold or adjusting for the temperature while you’re asleep.
According to Energy Star, a programmable thermostat can save you around $180 per year in energy costs. Plus, they sell for as low as $40 plus the installation cost. This can help you save up to 30% on your energy bill.
3. Weatherproof Exterior Doors and Windows
An added tip for maintaining heating and cooling without spending more on your energy bill is to ensure that your exterior doors and windows are not letting in hot or cold air.
This can significantly reduce your air conditioner or heater’s efficiency level. Even though the spillover is lesser, the same thing can happen with slits between doors or windows and their frames.
Weatherstripping on external doors and caulking around windows will work best. Energy Star states that you can save up to 10% on your energy bill just by performing these simple fixes.
4. Switch to Solar Power
A longer-lasting and decisive solution for all your energy bill worries is switching to solar energy. Installing solar panels on your home can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Not to mention, it is an investment on your property, which can dramatically increase your home value.
The US federal government currently offers a 26% tax credit for the purchase of the solar energy system. In addition, New York state also offers a $5,000 tax credit and grants for leases and purchases of solar energy systems. If that didn’t catch your attention, consider the fact that your power supplier will end up owing you for a change!
Yes, you heard us correct. It’s called net metering. What this essentially means is that whenever your solar system generates more energy than you use on sunny days, this gets credited for night-time or rainy-day use. In essence, the power company will pay you back for the extra electricity that you generate for the power grid.
Save back on your energy bills through solar power
We hope these 4 essential tips for saving on your energy bills were useful for you. If you want to save a lot of money for the long haul, get our expert guidance on solar installation for your home through a free consultation today!
New York State Solar Farm | Solar Installer in Modena, NY
New York State Solar Farm is proudly 1 of only 4 SunPower Master Dealers & 1 of only 12 NYSERDA Gold Status Installers in NY State.
Contact us today to get a free quote and consultation!