There are a number of creative solutions homeowners can implement to combat high energy consumption throughout a home. Consider the following measures to cut energy consumption, leaving your energy bills a bit lighter. Many of them also improve home comfort.
- Improve the efficiency of your home’s envelope by sealing air leaks. This action reduces energy consumption in both seasons, stopping the movement of heat into the home during summer, and limiting heat that escapes the home during winter.
- Upgrade the insulation in your attic to achieve better home efficiency. Improving attic insulation helps to reduce the temperature in the space during the summer, as well as preventing heated air from escaping your home through the home’s ceiling in winter.
- Ensure that you schedule maintenance for your heating system. The service generally involves removing dirt buildup that’s nestled within the system’s internal components, as well as checking the unit’s overall efficiency and safety.
- When you schedule maintenance, ask the heating technician to check the condition of your ductwork too, as leaks in the ducts cause conditioned air to escape, before it can reach your living spaces.
- Use passive heating, enlisting the help of the sun. On south-facing windows, keep the drapes open during daylight hours to allow heat from the sun to warm your home. Close drapes at night, however, to keep heated air inside.
- Use your programmable thermostat to lower energy consumption. By scheduling your furnace or heat pump to run only when you need it, and reducing the home’s temperature when you’re asleep or away from the home, you’ll save more energy.
- Check the heating system’s air filter regularly, and change it out when it appears full or dingy. A filter that’s too full will not only restrict necessary airflow to the heating system, but it may impact indoor air quality too.
