8 Ways Houston First Time Home Buyers Can Lower Their Electricity Bill
Hello and welcome. Since heating and cooling cost can account for up to 50% of your home energy budget, taking the steps necessary to lower your utility use, can have a significant effect on your utility bill. That said, here are a few ways you can lower your electric bill.
Keep your air condition vents and unit clean. Why, because clogged and dirty filters can block normal airflow and reduce your system’s efficiency. It is always best to maintain your filters, coils, and fins regularly, which in turn may lower your air condition consumption by up to 15%.
Turn your fan on. Our family keep the fans on because we notice it keep the rooms about 4-5 degrees cooler during the summer months.
Open the windows. This may not be suitable for everyone, but we love to utilize natural ventilation. When the weather permits, we enjoy opening the windows early mornings before the day heats up. And sometimes in the afternoons as well. I have the windows open and fan on, right now as I am writing these lines.
Change your air filter regularly- We check our filters every 3-4 weeks, especially during heavy use, and change them if they look dirty. At the very least, you should change your filters every 3 months. Why, because a dirty filter will cause your system to work harder, thereby costing you more money.
Blockout are window treatments that is used to block out the sun and reduce heat gain by up to 45%. Depending on where the sun is strongest and last the longest. This may be one way to help reduce your energy bill. You can be find blockout at your local store like target or your favorite fabric shop. I found mines at IKEA. If you’re not a brick and mortar type person, just measure your windows and let your mouse do the work.
Install a smart thermostat- Smart thermostat are Wi-Fi enabled that can save you money on your heating and cooling bill.
Have you ever thought of switching to ENERGY STAR appliances? Did you know that an ENERGY STAR certified air conditioner uses about 15% less energy?
Another way to save on your energy bill, is to turn off your utilities when they are not in use. During the Houston summer months, setting your thermostat to 78°F may increase your savings as well. These easy steps should help you to not only save some money, but contribute to a healthier environment as well.
Source: Energy Star.gov