Invest in your Utility Savings
Don’t get stuck in a rut! Utility bills are NOT a car payment. There are ways to lower them each month!
Go Green while investing in your utility bill. Most homeowners will settle into the bill like a car payment. Utilities are a necessity, and most of us will pay without thinking twice. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could save on utility costs and invest that savings into something more worthwhile?
Let’s say you could save close to $50 per month after some home improvements. That would be a savings of $600 a year or $3,000 over 5 years. For some that may not be much, but for most homeowners $3,000 is a huge savings. The savings could be more each month depending on the specific improvements to your home.
The average home has energy issues that are not always obvious to an owner’s untrained eye. MyGreenKC wants to educate you about some ways to make your home more energy-efficient while saving money.
Here is a list of improvements to help make your home more energy-efficient:
Insulation
Having a home that is properly insulated will keep the conditioned air in your home from leaking to the outside. Properly insulating the attic, exterior walls and exposed framed flooring are the main areas of concern. Insulation acts like a blanket for your home, keeping living spaces at desired temperatures.
Air Sealing
Gaps in the home will cause unwanted drafts while the heating or air-conditioning system is running. MyGreenKC can identify these gaps, and seal them to prevent conditioned or warm air from escaping. Spray foam insulation and weather-striping are some of methods we use for air sealing these gaps.
Appliances
Increasing energy efficiency for appliances that run constantly, like a refrigerator, can yield substantial savings over the years. Home appliances should meet current Energy Star ratings for efficiency. Appliances that do not meet these standards should be replaced.
HVAC
The air conditioner and heating units also have a big impact on the monthly bills. Having a correct size and servicing these units will help ensure optimal efficiency. A certified professional can help you find the proper size unit for your home.
Light Bulbs
Upgrading your home’s light bulbs from traditional incandescent to LEDs can save money on your electricity utility bill each month. LED bulbs have a longer life span and use up to 80% percent less energy.
These improvements can help you save money each month to put towards an investment other than the energy use in your home. If you are unsure of which improvements your home needs, consider having an Energy Audit preformed on the home. This audit will help identify and prioritize improvements.
Remember not to treat your energy bill like a standard monthly payment for your home or a vehicle. You can make many of the improvements as a homeowner yourself.
Contact us, or visit MyGreenKC.com to learn more about the services we provide
