For homeowners, it’s a good bet to try to be more energy efficient. Maintaining an energy-efficient household can help you lower your monthly bills, improve indoor air quality, navigate power outages more effectively, help you reduce your carbon footprint and improve your home’s resale value. And when you’re constantly on the lookout for how to improve your home’s energy efficiency, you may stumble across and be able to fix minor repairs before they become major (and costly) ones. Discover tips on how to improve energy efficiency in your Central Florida home.
How To Improve Energy Efficiency in Your Central Florida Home
Conduct an Energy Audit
The first step in running a more energy-efficient household is knowing where you use energy the most. You may be surprised to learn that your biggest sources of energy consumption don’t come from things you’re actively using. Poor insulation and leaks may add completely avoidable charges to your energy bill. You don’t need a contractor to come in and audit your energy usage. Follow these five steps to conduct one yourself.
Use Ceiling Fans
One of the best ways to reduce your electric bills during the summer is to install ceiling fans. They won’t replace your AC unit but will help it work more efficiently by reducing the power it needs to circulate cool air around your home.
Replace Your Roof
Without regular roof inspections, you could be bleeding AC through holes in your roof and losing hundreds of dollars a month. That’s not to mention that you could be more vulnerable to critters sneaking in and damaging your wiring and ventilation. Make sure you have your roof checked regularly and replace it every 20 years.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances, such as refrigerators and washer-dryers, can make a big difference in your utility bills and overall energy efficiency. And today’s energy-efficient appliances are equipped with all kinds of smart features that can make using them more convenient as well.
Unplug Cords When Not In Use
Another straightforward way to be more energy efficient is unplugging cords when they’re not in use. Even if they’re not in use, your plugged-in appliance will consume electricity, driving up your monthly costs.
Wash Laundry in Cold Water
Believe it or not, you can save energy (and money) by washing clothes in cold water. Around 90% of the energy washers use is actually to heat the hot water. Washing in cold water not only helps you save money but also expands the life of your clothes.
Switch to Solar
Going solar is a great way to be more energy efficient. When you solar, your new system will leverage the sun to power your home and electric needs. You’ll save money on heating and electricity while improving your home’s property value. And you can do so by either buying solar panels outright or leasing them with a solar PPA.
Become Energy Efficient With Solar Panels
Start your energy efficiency journey by transitioning to solar today. To ensure you get the most efficient panels, work with an experienced solar provider.
At Solar Optimum, we’ve helped thousands of Central Floridians install the right solar system for their homes. We can help you identify, obtain and install the right panels for you. Contact us to learn more about how going solar in Central Florida can make your home more energy efficient, or download our Ultimate Guide to Going Solar.
