Having an energy-efficient home isn’t just better for the environment. It can also increase your resale value, make your home more attractive to future buyers, and lower your utility bills for as long as you own your property.
If you’re interested in making your home more energy-efficient (and saving some money in the process), here are 15 easy things you can do right now to reduce both your energy consumption and your monthly utility bills without breaking the bank.
1. Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable smart thermostat can cut your heating costs by as much 15 percent by letting you set the temperature a few degrees lower while you’re away at work all day, and still making sure everything is warm and comfy by the time you come home.
2. Switch your incandescent lightbulbs to LEDs
LED lightbulbs aren’t only up to 90 percent more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also last 15 times longer, saving you both money and a few unnecessary trips to the hardware store.
3. Keep your heating system free of clutter
Leave some space free and clear around your furnace as well as the baseboards and forced-air registers to maximize safety while improving energy performance.
4. Upgrade your insulation and air sealing
Air leaks and drafts account for as much as 25 percent of the total amount of heat lost in an average home, and can add up to $600 a year to your annual home heating costs. Upgrading your insulation and caulking or weatherstripping improperly-sealed windows and doors can make a huge difference to both your home’s comfort level and your monthly energy bills.
5. Clean or change your air filters
To keep your furnace operating at maximum efficiency, check and clean the air filter at least once every three months, and get a new one if you see any signs of damage or wear.
6. Vacuum your baseboard heaters
If your home has baseboard heaters, give them a good cleaning with a soft bristle brush in the fall before the start of the heating system, and vacuum them on a regular basis to improve their performance.
7. Don’t heat rooms you don’t use
If you have an attic, storage area or spare room you don’t generally use, turn down the heat or close the heating registers in those spaces to save your energy consumption for those parts of the house your family actually lives in.
8. Get your heating system serviced
Have your furnace, heat pump or HVAC system serviced once a year by a licensed contractor to make sure your home is warm and your family is safe in every season.
9. Keep your hot water tank wrapped up
If you have an electric hot water tank, wrap an insulating blanket around it to keep the heat high and your bills low.
10. Unplug unused devices
If there are any TVs, computers, printers or other electronic devices you only use rarely (or not at all), keep them unplugged until you need them. If you’re going away on vacation, unplug everything that doesn’t need to stay on.
11. Let the (natural) light in
Instead of automatically switching on the lights every time you come home, open your curtains and blinds to let the natural light in, and consider painting your main living spaces in a lighter colour to brighten things up without the need for artificial lighting.
12. Be cool with the laundry
Wash your clothes in cold water, wait until you have a full load before doing the laundry, and consider hanging your clothes to dry rather than using the dryer.
13. Upgrade to high-efficiency appliances
When the time comes to replace your furnace, refrigerator, washer and dryer, or any other large equipment or appliances, upgrade to an ENERGY STAR®-certified high-efficiency model, or switch to a high-efficiency heat pump.
14. Invest in an energy audit
If you really want to find out where and how to save money, consider investing in a professional EnerGuide energy audit to get a clearer picture of exactly how your home uses energy – and where the biggest savings can be found.
15. Take advantage of government incentives
Lastly, take advantage of some of the government incentives that are available to help Canadians make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. In B.C., this includes initiatives like the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program and the provincial Energy Savings Program.
Questions?
Would you like to get some more tips on any other aspect of buying, selling or owning a home? Contact us to schedule your free consultation.
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