Environmental sustainability is becoming more and more critical these years. As threats of irreversible damage from climate change are imminent, we all want to do what we can to reduce our environmental footprint. One of the best ways to lower your footprint is to reduce utility usage in your home. This solution will also reduce your utility bill every month; it sounds cool, right? In this article, we will discuss the best possible ways on how to reduce your utility bill in an environment-friendly style.
Below are some of the most innovative, top insider tips from Utopia Management– a professional property management company currently dealing with property sustainability every day. This article will divide utility bills into three main categories: Water, Air conditioning & Heat, and Power.
Water
Try these tips to lower your water usage each month:
- First, shorten your shower time: Although you’ve probably heard it before, cutting shower time by a couple of minutes can save you gallons of water, so be conscious of your shower time. Additionally, if you shower every day, consider raining every other day instead.
- Install water-efficient showerheads: Upgrading your shower head can significantly reduce the amount of water used per shower.
- Fix leaks promptly: Of course, you shouldn’t wait around to fix a leaky pipe, even if it just a slow drip. It would be best if you replaced or repair leaky faucets immediately because those drips add up.
- Install dual-flush converters: Flush converters can make your toilet more water-efficient without having to replace it.
- Discover discounted utility rates: Contact your utility company and inquire about discounted rates during certain hours of the day. For example, most energy and water companies will charge less for utilities during nighttime hours. Typically, it’s energy-efficient and cost-effective to do power-hungry tasks like laundry and running the dishwasher at night rather than during peak energy hours.
- Rethink your lawn: Standard grass lawns are a considerable water-suck, and there are plenty of other innovative options for a beautiful yard. If you regularly use sprinklers to water your yard, consider some alternative landscaping designs for your outdoor spaces. A professional landscaper can design a yard that utilizes eco-friendly terrain.
Air Conditioning and Heat
Heating and cooling usually take up the most significant percentage of energy usage in a home. Here are some of the most effective ways to reduce your use of heating and cooling systems in your house:
- Install intelligent thermostats: Turning your thermostat hotter than you usually would in the summer and more relaxed than usual in the winter is a great way to reduce the load on your AC system. Installing a programmable thermostat that changes during set hours of the day makes this much more accessible. You can even adjust many smart thermostats like Nest from your phone.
- Check the insulation: Make sure your house insulation is effective and free of leaks. Caulk any air leaks and seal any windows or doors where air may be escaping. Poor insulation can double the strain on your AC system.
- Adjust your fridge and freezer temperature: Set your freezer and fridge a few degrees higher than the default. You can still keep your food fresh while using less energy on cooling.
- Clean your dryer’s exhaust: Use a lint remover kit to clean the exhaust on your dryer once a month to maintain its efficiency.
- Install reflective roofing materials: White paint or other bright roof materials help reflect the sun’s rays and keep your home cooler in the summer.
- Wash your clothes with cold water: Using cold water in the washing machine rather than hot is a great way to save energy.
Power
The rest of your utility bill is on lighting energy and plug-in outlets. So besides trying to limit the amount of energy you use in general, try these tips:
- Switch to LEDs: Trash those incandescent bulbs! Instead, use energy-efficient light bulbs whenever possible.
- Install dimmer switches: Dimming switches not only let you set the mood in the room, but they allow you to use less energy on lighting. Besides, they feel fancy.
- Use smart power strips: Many appliances and electronics still pull energy from the outlet even when they are powered off. Use smart power strips that cut off the flow of energy when devices are not in use. Alternatively, always unplug electronics when they are not in use.
- Invest in solar panels: Although it can be a significant investment at first, solar panels can save you thousands of dollars on your energy bill every year. This solution will also reduce your carbon footprint, which benefits you and our environment in the long term.
You may want to read: Experts’ Tips to Sell House Fast At The Best Price
Final Words
That’s all we have for how to reduce your utility bill this year. Is there anything that we miss out on? Let us know in the comment section below! I hope the article’s helped you a lot in giving ideas on solutions to reduce your monthly bill and go more eco-friendly. Thanks for visiting Greenhouse Center and hope to see you around soon!
