The cost of living has been rising steadily in Florida, so homeowners should look for savings wherever they can. Reducing your monthly energy usage is a great way to lower your household expenses, and becoming more energy efficient is going to help you live more sustainably. Here are a few ways that you can use less electricity at home.
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Maintain Your HVAC System
In warm weather regions, cooling your house can comprise the bulk of your household energy usage. While it’s normal to see a moderate increase in your electric bill when temperatures climb, a huge spike could be an indication that your HVAC system isn’t running efficiently. When air conditioners begin to perform poorly, they may be running almost all of the time trying to reach the temperature that you’ve set your thermostat to.
One of the most common issues that make cooling such a big power drain stems from forgoing maintenance. Over time, the evaporator coil in an air handler becomes clogged with dust and debris. When this happens, it is difficult for air to pass through and a system has to work harder than necessary. Skipping preventive maintenance can also lead to mechanical issues that might make your air conditioning stop working altogether.
Make it a point to arrange for preventive maintenance on a regular basis with a local company that provides residential AC services and cleaning. Regular upkeep is going to keep your HVAC unit operating well and help it meet its projected lifespan.
If you have a fairly old system and getting it running in its peak condition will entail a sizable expenditure, consider an upgrade. Newer HVAC units use significantly less energy than their predecessors. Replacing an old unit is a value-adding home improvement that can lower your electric bills and make your home more comfortable.
Insulate Your Home
Insulation is another essential part of cooling your home efficiently. There’s a general tendency to associate insulation with heating a home, but insulation has the same utility for keeping a house cool. It keeps the warm air outside of your home and makes a house better able to retain cool air.
It’s especially important to insulate the top level of your home where you have an attic or crawlspace. Cool air rises to the top, and insulating that area creates a protective barrier that prevents air from escaping. Also, it fortifies your house against the warmth of the sun’s rays that are making the most contact with the top of it during the hottest part of each day.
Use an eco-friendly insulation material. To fill small gaps tightly, a foam material may be a good choice.
Seal Doors and Windows
Worn-down seals on a house’s doors and windows will make your home less resistant to the elements than it should be. You can use caulk to seal small gaps in windows. However, if a window can’t close properly because the frame is warped or it has sustained water damage, it may make sense to replace it.
To form a tight seal and stop drafts, attach a door sweep to the bottom of your door. Line the sides and tops of doorways with a foam or rubber weatherstrip. By closing off gaps, there is going to be less cool air flowing out and less warm air streaming in.
Install an Energy Efficient Ceiling Fan
When the weather is warm but not stifling hot, try giving your air conditioning a break. Open your windows and switch on your ceiling fan to keep the fresh air circulating. If you already have a ceiling fan but you don’t use it often because it doesn’t work well, a replacement is a smart idea. Energy-efficient ceiling fans could make your living room and bedrooms a lot more comfortable.
Handling a replacement yourself may be doable if all of the wiring that you need is already in place and you just have to swap out the fan. Nevertheless, be sure to reach out to a professional if your city or county requires pulling a permit to replace this type of fixture. Furthermore, getting assistance from a contractor will help ensure that the work is performed safely and correctly.
The money that you spend on home improvements and maintenance geared towards energy efficiency is a worthwhile investment. The savings that you could get on your electric bill will offset some of the cost, so some of these types of projects can pay for themselves. Furthermore, taking care of home maintenance needs proactively can spare you from having to contend with costly repairs.