Energy Savings: Tips for Your Home

Reducing your household energy use can entail anything from small changes in your day-to-day behavior to making wise investments in your home for a more sustainable future. Conserving energy will save your household money on utility bills and protect the environment from the harsh effects of excess energy usage, making these changes smart choices for any homeowner. Read on to learn ways to generate energy savings for your home. 

How to Produce More Energy Savings For Your Home

Kick Your Energy-Draining Habits to the Curb

Going green without putting your budgets in the red may sound like a challenge, but you can start making energy-saving choices today that will not only cost you anything but will actually save you money. 

Changing your daily behavior is one of the simplest ways to control your energy consumption. From turning lights off when you leave a room to turning up your thermostat while you’re away from home, small changes in your daily routine can make big improvements in your energy usage. For example, the energy required to keep the lights on in the average household makes up 12% of utility bills. So, the next time you go to walk out the door, make the simple, conscious choice to turn off the light behind you. 

There are various other steps you can take to make smarter choices throughout your home to leave any old energy-wasting habits in the past, including:

• Regularly cleaning or replacing air filters
• Using blinds, shades, and drapes in the warmer months to block out excess heat
• Using cold water to wash your clothes
• Opting to air-dry your clothes rather than relying on a dryer
• Turning off your bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans whenever they’re no longer necessary
• Allowing your dishes to air dry after a dishwasher cycle rather than using the heated dryer
• Using ceiling fans to help keep your home comfortable. Doing so can allow you to raise your thermostat up to 4 degrees without sacrificing comfort

Enjoy a Greener View with Energy-Efficient Windows

Windows tend to be a significant source of energy waste for most homes, with losses stacking up to about 10-25% of your total heating bill. Installing double-pane windows in place of any remaining single-pane windows is a great way to reduce the loss of heated and conditioned air throughout your home. 

Regardless of whether you’re looking to keep your home warmer in the winter or cooler in the summer, low-emittance, or Low-E, windows can help. These gas-filled windows help block infrared light from passing through the glass to minimize sunlight’s effects and reduce excess heat from building up indoors. So, the next time a baseball comes flying through one of your windows, make it a home run by taking the opportunity for an energy-efficient upgrade. 

Weatherize Your Home

Weatherizing your home refers to successfully sealing off any places where air can leak out around the house. The most significant sources of air leaks that could contribute to your high energy consumption include your vents, windows, and doors. To seal these areas, ensure that there are no cracks between the walls and the vents, window frames, and doorframes. Caulking and weather strips are inexpensive ways to adequately seal off areas in your home that will return your investment year after year.

Your duct system can also be a significant source of unwanted air leaks. According to Energy Star, many homes have improperly installed or sealed ductwork, which can lead to up to 30 percent of heated or cooled air to be lost through cracks, leaks, and poorly connected ducts. If your ducts aren’t properly sealed, your household can experience higher utility costs and be at risk of poor indoor air quality. Schedule a duct sealing service to protect your home and start saving energy.

Insulate Your Home, Insulate Your Wallet

Insulation plays an important role in retaining heat in the colder seasons and cool air in the warmer ones. By properly insulating your home, you can decrease the flow of heat into and out of your home by providing adequate resistance. Consider adding insulation to your attic, walls, floors, basement, and crawl space to help reduce any wasted energy expenditures. 

Get Smart About Your Energy Usage with a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats significantly reduce the use of heating and cooling systems without sacrificing your family’s comfort by adjusting to your household’s patterns and precisely regulating the temperatures throughout your home. With simple controls, savings on your utility bills, and a lighter environmental impact, smart thermostats are among the wisest changes you can make to invest your home.

When setting the thermostat, trying to balance reasonable utility costs with minimal family squabbles can be tricky. However, smart thermostats allow you to keep your indoor temperatures cool without raising your bills. Plus, by starting to use these energy-saving tips that can help keep your home cool without relying on your air conditioner, you can increase your thermostat without anyone noticing. Keep in mind that for every degree you raise your thermostat’s set temperature, you can save up to almost 3% on your utility bill.

Upgrade Your HVAC Unit

If your central air conditioning unit is on its last leg or has been working to keep your family comfortable for over a decade, it’s most likely time for an upgrade. Older HVAC units use more energy than is required to keep your home comfortable while also struggling to keep your home as cool as you’d like. A new air conditioner and heating system will save you money in the long run while avoiding costly repairs and inconvenient breakdowns, and you will cut back your energy usage with updated technology and optimized performance. 

Count On Gator Air & Energy for More Energy Savings

Gator Air & Energy is committed to providing energy-efficient HVAC services to the families we serve in Gainesville, FL and the surrounding area. We know that with each sustainable choice comes a generational impact of improved environmental conditions. That’s why we combine the most effective and affordable heating and cooling solutions with energy savings to give your family comfort and peace of mind.

Reach out to our team for energy-efficient HVAC services and home solutions today for a better tomorrow.