If your energy bills are too high, there are many affordable DIY upgrades you can make to save energy and money. Here are five steps you can take that will help you save money and lower your heating, cooling, and electricity costs.
If your energy bills are too high, there are many affordable DIY upgrades you can make to save energy and money. Here are five steps you can take that will help you save money and lower your heating, cooling, and electricity costs.
One easy DIY tip is to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. LED bulbs use 75% less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 25x longer!
If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to automatically adjust the temperature when you’re not home or when you’re sleeping, which can save you up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs every year.
One of the biggest energy hogs in most homes is the refrigerator. Make sure your fridge is set to between 37-40°F. Also, keep your fridge and freezer as full as possible. Empty fridges lose more cold air every time the door is opened.
Many appliances and electronics in your home are using electricity even when you’re not using them. Combined, this can add to up to 10% of your home’s electricity use. Unplug your appliances when they aren’t in use, and use power strips to make it easy to turn off multiple devices at once.
Use shades to block out sunlight in the summer. This can help keep your home cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning. In the winter, opening your shades during the day can allow sunlight in and help warm your home naturally, reducing the need for heating. Then, you can close your shades at night to keep heat inside.
Now that you’ve tried some DIY energy-saving tips, you may be wondering what else you can do to make a more significant dent in your energy bills. If you’re an income-qualified household, you may be eligible for no-cost weatherization assistance from the Community Action Council of Howard County.
Weatherization services help you save money on your energy bills and stay comfortable in your home. Weatherization can include:
In addition to helping you save money on your energy bills, weatherization upgrades can also make your home more comfortable, improve your home’s indoor air quality, and reduce your carbon footprint.
To qualify, see if you meet the program’s income guidelines. Our team will perform an energy assessment of your home to determine which upgrades will result in the most savings. From there, we’ll work with you to schedule the home upgrades you need with a qualified local contractor. Because we are funded by federal, state, and utility grants, all of these services are provided to you at no cost. Weatherization assistance is open to both homeowners and renters throughout Maryland.
