Every month, homeowners spend a small fortune on utility bills. The average homeowner spends about $400 a month on utilities, the most expensive of which is almost invariably the electric bill.
But you don’t have to live with astronomical utility bills! Simply by using a few energy-efficient home products, you can make them a thing of the past.
In addition to having a lower electric bill, you’ll be doing your part to go green and lessen the burden your home places on the environment. Going green will also help you avoid a hefty power bill in the event of a power outage. To be prepared, visit the Oncor power outage website.
To help you do this, we’ve put together a list of 7 of the best products to invest in to boost your home’s energy efficiency today. Let’s get started!
1. Smart Thermostats
One of the biggest portions of your monthly electric bill comes from heating and cooling your home. A smart thermostat can change that!
Smart thermostats give you greater control over the temperature of your home and learn your habits to prevent unnecessary use of the air conditioning.
Now, it’s important to note that you can’t rely solely on your thermostat to reduce your energy bill. For maximum savings, you’ll also need to be mindful of the temperature of your home and ensure that your windows and doors are well-insulated.
2. Power Strips
Did you know that many electronics use electricity even when you’re not using them? It’s true! They’re known as “energy vampires” because they consume power when they’re plugged in, even if they’re turned off.
These devices include phone and laptop chargers, televisions, and other devices that go into “standby mode” rather than completely turning off. You always have the option of unplugging these devices when you’re not using them, but you’ll quickly find that both a hassle and a waste of time.
Instead, just use power strips! You can plug all of your energy vampires into a power strip and hit the off button when they’re not in use. No more phantom energy drain!
You can even find smart power strips that connect to your Alexa or Google Home, allowing you to turn them on and off with voice commands.
3. Smart Lights
Installing smart lighting in your home is an investment that will pay for itself. Using smart lights, you can program the lighting in your home to turn off when you aren’t using it. You’ll be able to see exactly how much energy you’re consuming, as well as turn the lights on and off, right from an app on your phone.
Check with your insurance company before you make the switch! Many providers are now offering incentives for installing smart home devices such as lighting.
Don’t forget to put LED lightbulbs in your fixtures as well! On top of being just as bright as traditional bulbs, they’re safer, sturdier, far longer-lasting, and will save you a bundle on your electric bill.
4. Smart Sprinklers
Cultivating a beautiful green lawn not only takes a great deal of time and attention but quite a bit of energy and water as well. To save money on your water bill while maintaining your yard, consider installing smart sprinklers!
Smart sprinklers come with a control system that provides extra customization and control, allowing you to only run your sprinklers when you need to. You’ll be able to program your sprinklers depending on the weather, moisture, and various plants specific to your yard and region.
5. Window Coverings
Curtains and blinds can be a hassle, but you can make insulating your home easier with smart window treatments. With these systems, you’ll be able to open and close your window coverings with a voice command or the touch of a button.
You can also program your curtains and blinds to respond to the environment and close on their own! This will save you money on both the lighting and temperature of your home. In fact, by using smart window coverings, you can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs!
6. Security Systems
For those looking for a luxury home feel, install an all-in-one smart home security system. You’ll receive monitored home security, of course, but that’s just the start! You can connect every smart device in your home, from your lighting to your thermostats.
These systems will make your home ultra-modern, giving you the capability to control any and everything from your phone or a central screen in your home. Once again, don’t forget to contact your insurance company before you make the leap. You could be eligible for some major discounts!
7. A Remote Energy Monitor
Have you ever received your utility bills and been shocked by what you saw? Certain issues can cause a spike in electricity and water bills and go under the radar until it’s too late.
Maybe your children have a bad habit of leaving lights on when they aren’t using them, or something went wrong with an appliance, causing it to run for days on end. Before you know it the month ends and you have a massive bill on your hands.
You can check the power meter, but that won’t really help, as you would have to watch it constantly to pick up on patterns and abnormalities. Instead, get a smart energy monitor! You can track your home’s energy usage from an app on your phone and stop potential problems before they start.
Try These Energy Efficient Home Products to Upgrade Your Life
Your home is one of the places you spend the most time, why not give it an upgrade by installing some of these energy-efficient home products?
Not only will you save money on your utility bills but you’ll feel great knowing that you’re doing your part to save the planet. Plus, many of them can be installed in an afternoon – taking steps toward energy efficiency is a no-brainer!
Looking for more ways to improve your home and your life? Check out our blog!
