How to Cut Your Home Energy Costs

With inflation at an all-time high and the cost of rising energy bills, we all know that keeping the lights on isn't cheap. It costs an average of $1400 each year for a family of four in Virginia to keep all the major systems running including heating, hot water, and air conditioning. Here are some ideas that our agents at Verity Group came up with that could help cut down on your energy costs by 25% or more in 2022.

Heating and Cooling 

It's no secret that home heating and air conditioning are the biggest culprits behind large energy bills. Here are three items to consider when wanting to cut back on usage, which ultimately will cut back on costs. 1. Check seals around doors and windows. Bad seals allow cold air to seep in during the winter making your heater work harder, and cold air to seep out during the summer. You'll drain your wallet, and strain your HVAC system quickly if your windows and doors are not sealed properly.

2. Fix leaky ductwork. Fixing or cleaning your ductwork can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. For maximum efficiency, you'll want to have it cleaned and inspected by a qualified HVAC technician every 6 to 12 months.

3. Set your thermostat. Setting your thermostat back 10-15 degrees when you are sleeping or at work for at least 8 hours can lower your annual energy bill up to 10%. Consider investing in smart thermostat that can be controlled through Alexa, Google, or your smartphone which can help you keep track of your thermostat settings when you're on the go.

Water 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your hot water heater is the second-largest culprit to your energy bill. Cutting back on water usage alone can make a sizeable chunk of your overall energy bill. Here are a few ideas to cut costs when it comes to your hot water heater.

1. Take shorter showers. Cutting down on the time of your shower by just two minutes can cut your water usage by up to 5 gallons a month. If cutting down on a hot shower seems a bit much in the middle of winter, consider investing in a new shower head that controls water usage

2. Wash your clothes in cool water. It may be time for that old washing machine to kick the bucket. If you're in the market for a new washer or dryer, look for one that has the "Energy Star" label that can save up to 3.5 gallons of water per cycle compared to older models that typically use 10+ gallons for a normal cycle.

3. Fix leaky faucets and toilets. Leaky faucets and toilets are just wasting water. Quickly repairing leaks can not only help save on your energy costs but could also prevent further damage to your flooring, walls, trim and more.

Power and Lighting 

Having just the lights on in your home is about 11% of your overall monthly bill. By swapping out your standard bulbs for LED bulbs, you could see a savings of $75 or more on your overall bill. It's also a good idea to install dimmer switches allowing you to control the amount of light you are using.

If you're already implementing all of these techniques, but still want to find ways to cut back on your energy costs, consider asking your energy company to perform an audit on the energy of your home.

Also, you can ask your energy company to do an audit on the energy of your home. The audit is sometimes free, but they will give you other ways to save on energy that is specific to your home or reach out to your Verity Group agent for suggestions on ways to you can save on your energy bill this season.