If you’re like many homeowners, you may feel at least a bit intimidated when the bills arrive each month. Whether you’re trying to put money away for a big trip or a move or simply seeking to keep more dollars in the bank, consider home upgrades you can make to reduce energy bills.
Solar Panels
In addition to being stylish additions to a home, solar panels also help you to reduce energy bills by decreasing the amount of electricity your household uses. Installing solar panels has another financial benefit, too. If you’re planning to sell the house in the future, you could make more money on the sale because of the solar panels.
Better Insulation
During the chilly winter months, you might notice that despite regularly raising the temperature on the thermostat, the house still feels drafty. The problem might be poor insulation that simply isn’t giving your home’s heating system the ability to protect against the chilly outdoor temperatures. Upgrading your insulation can keep warmth in the house, thereby reducing the amount of work the home’s heating system has to do and lowering the bills as a result.
Opt for New Windows
Installing energy-efficient windows is another way to lower the bills and keep your home at a more comfortable temperature. In addition to paying a reduced amount of money on your energy bills, you might also be eligible for tax credits after making this upgrade. Getting new windows is another move that could increase the sales price of your home.
Install Programmable Lighting
When you go out at night, you might like to leave lights on outdoors to guide you when you return home. When you go on vacation, you may prefer to keep a light on in the front room so that the house doesn’t appear vacant. However, in addition to potential safety concerns associated with leaving lights on constantly, these actions also use up energy and increase your bills. Instead of keeping the lights on all of the time, opt for programmable lighting. You can set a light to go on at different times each day when you’re on vacation, or you can schedule the exterior lights to turn on shortly before you return home.
Smart Thermostat
Even if your house is already properly insulated, you could be wasting money by having the thermostat set too high or low at unnecessary times. For example, you might want the temperature to be a certain degree when you get home from work. As a result, you may leave the heat on high all day or set the temperature to rise too early. With a smart thermostat, you can remotely control the temperature. Also, if the weather changes and is suddenly warmer or colder while you’re out of the house, you can use the smart thermostat to adjust the climate at home from a distance, thereby allowing you to save money on your bills.
Oil to Gas Conversion
While converting from oil to gas heating might seem like a major expense at the start, consider the long-term benefits of this change. Typically, heating a house with gas is less expensive than warming the home with oil. You can save on having to regularly purchase oil as well. Our team of experts can let you know if your home is a candidate for the conversion and what the specific cost benefits might be.
Central Air Conditioning
Upgrading to central air conditioning can also save you money in the long term. With a central air conditioning unit, you can have more control over the temperature in your house. The installation may come with a large price tag, but calculating the long-term savings can support the validity of this upgrade. Instead of having to run multiple window or wall units to keep the house at a pleasant temperature, the central unit can comfortably control the climate.
Upgraded Air Conditioning
An older air conditioning unit may have issues that are causing the system to run inefficiently. If the system needs to work harder to run to account for these inefficiencies, you could see increases in your bills. Our team members can inspect your current system to see if there are energy-draining issues at play. You can then get recommendations for repairs or a replacement that may lead to reduced bills. You can look into air conditioning systems that are specifically designed for energy efficiency as well.
Get a New Hot Water Heater
Your water heater might be using up too much energy. A malfunctioning water heater can be more than just a financial nuisance, too. If you continue to ignore problems with the home’s water heater, the issue might eventually lead to flooding. Speak to the professionals about energy-efficient water heaters. A new hot water heater is also an attractive selling point on a real estate listing that could bring more prospective buyers to your property.
Upgraded Appliances
Other appliances in your home, such as the oven or the washing machine, could be putting stress on your energy bills as well. Schedule an appointment with a professional to have the appliances in your home examined for potential issues. You can talk with the technician about whether repairs or replacements are the smartest choice for your home’s needs.
Weatherize Systems
During the cold winter months, for example, your air conditioning unit could get damaged from intense weather conditions if you don’t take the necessary steps to protect the system. This damage could mean that the system has to work harder to cool down the house when the summer arrives. Instead of leaving your home’s system prone to damage and decay, book weatherizing services. These services can protect your home’s systems from energy-draining damage and keep the units safer and more reliable overall.
Book a Home Evaluation
There are plenty of upgrades you can make to your home to save energy, but without a professional evaluation, you might not know what specific changes can be made to your particular house. One of our team members can examine your home’s systems and appliances to identify specific sources of excessive energy drainage and to offer recommendations for your living space.
At Environmental Heating & Air Solutions, we provide a vast array of services to residents in Northern California. Specifically, we offer cooling, heating, air quality control and plumbing services. Our team members can inspect, repair, install and maintain your home’s heating and cooling systems. Furthermore, we can install ductless mini splits and heat pumps. You can book an indoor air quality check or carbon monoxide detection services as well to keep your home clean and safe.
Our plumbing services include water leak protection, work on tankless water heaters and hybrid heat water heaters and more. If you’re interested in home automation or blower door testing, we have you covered in these areas as well. Make sure to ask about financing arrangements for our services, too. Contact Environmental Heating & Air Solutions today to learn more and to schedule an appointment.
