Decreasing your home's energy use is a great way to save money, especially with average monthly household utility bills hovering around $600 - yikes! At M.E. Flow Inc., we’re dedicated to helping Leesburg homeowners reduce energy costs. Learn what steps you can take to reduce energy costs before it’s time to replace your existing HVAC system.
How to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
Reducing energy use at home can be made easier with technology and energy-minded habits. The average household can substantially lower their average home energy use with minor adjustments. Consider these ways to improve energy efficiency that don’t cost a dime.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Adjusting the thermostat is the most effective way to reduce energy waste. Home heating and cooling account for over 40% of the average energy bill. Adjusting the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees at night can lead to savings of 10% or more on annual heating and cooling costs.
2. Unplug unused electronics.
Even when turned off, plugged-in electronics draw a small amount of electricity. Sometimes referred to as “phantom load” or “vampire power,” unused electronics add up; the average US household spendsabout $165 annually powering devices that aren’t in use.
3. Turn down your water heater.
Many water heaters are set to 140 degrees F by default, and most homeowners never think to adjust them. Lowering your water heater temperature to 120 degrees will reduce the risk of scalding and can also save you between 4% and 22% on your energy bills—up to $400 a year!
4. Use natural heating and cooling.
Try age-old techniques to enhance your home's energy efficiency. For example, by strategically opening curtains during winter days, you welcome the sun's warmth into your home. Keep blinds closed during the head of a summer day to block the sun.
Supplement this with mindful opening and closing of windows to utilize natural ventilation.
5. Shut off the lights.
It’s really that simple. Make it a habit to turn off lights when leaving a room, and try to use natural light from outside as much as possible. Calculating exactly how much you’ll save by doing this depends on factors like light bulb type. Over the course of a year, you’ll notice the impact that turning the lights off has on your energy bill!
More Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
When it’s time to replace HVAC equipment or aging appliances, always choose ENERGY STAR-approved products.ENERGY STAR certifies a whole host of furnaces, air conditioning units, heat pumps, appliances, and more based on strict energy specifications.
Your local M.E. Flow technician can help you determine when it makes financial sense to update an inefficient appliance. For example, a new heat pump may be up to three times more energy efficient than a natural gas-powered furnace. Although replacing a fully functional furnace might seem drastic, owners who choose a proactive upgrade benefit from significantly lower energy costs in the long term.
Read More: How to Improve Home Indoor Air Quality Problems
How Much Energy Does the Average Home Use?
The average US household uses 899 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity monthly, totaling 10,800 kWh annually. Energy consumption varies depending on factors such as home size and geographic location. For example, bigger homes typically consume more energy than smaller homes due to their larger size. This trend partly explains the steady increase in US energy consumption over the past several decades.
The age of your home, the appliances you use, the climate you live in, and the number of people in your household all affect how much energy you use. You can save money and help the environment by building energy-conscious habits and making appliance swaps when the time is right.
Leesburg Trusts M.E. Flow for Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Invest in cost-effective energy efficiency improvements that pay for themselves! M.E. Flow Inc. technicians are northern Virginia’s favorite energy efficiency experts. Our trained teams have the experience and resources to help you make informed decisions about your home’s energy future.
Call 571-350-3183 orcontact us onlineto schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Leesburg, Lorton, Alexandria, and the surrounding areas.