Fall may not require you to jack up your Florida home’s air conditioning or heat, but there are certainly ample areas to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
According to a recent article from NPR,
“Electricity prices have jumped 15.8% in the last year, largely as a result of high-priced natural gas, which is used to generate nearly 40% of the nation's power…
NEADA estimates the average family's cooling costs rose from $450 last summer to about $600 this year…
NEADA predicts the average family will pay $1,202 to heat their home this winter — 17% more than last year. For the six in 10 families whose heat comes from natural gas, the increase in heating costs could be 34%... ‘There's no sign these prices are coming down,’ Wolfe says. ‘All the signs point to more expensive costs of home heating, and they could spike if it's cold.’"
With electricity inflation on the rise, you may be wondering if there are any tricks you can do to help reduce your energy bill this fall—and throughout the winter season.
Try These 5 Tricks to Reduce Your Energy Bill This Fall
Treat your budget this fall by implementing the following tricks to help improve your Florida home’s energy efficiency and reduce your energy bill this season.
#1: Utilize Your Ceiling Fans
By switching your ceiling fans on, even at the lowest speed, you create continuous air circulation in your home which means your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard.
#2: Consider Dimmer Switches
Though it may seem quasi-insignificant, dimmer light switches can help you save energy by only using as much light, or energy as you need.
#3: Conduct an Energy Audit
Chances are your utility company offers a free home energy audit which you can take advantage of to determine what areas of your home you can improve your energy performance. You can also utilize this Home Energy Yardstick tool provided by ENERGY STAR to conduct your own at-home energy audit if you prefer or if your utility company doesn’t offer one.
#4: Eliminate Phantom Energy
Phantom energy is often a big culprit in energy waste and usage. About 75% of a home’s energy use is from electronics, such as TVs, computers, stereos, kitchen appliances, etc., and is consumed when they’re off. You can help reduce or eliminate phantom energy by plugging several electronics into power strips that you can easily turn off when not in use.
#5: Upgrading Your Windows & Doors
Your home may have installations that aren’t doing your home’s energy performance any favors. You may want to consider replacing them with ENERGY STAR, impact glass, or high-performance solutions that can dramatically improve your home’s insulation and energy performance.
If you aren’t able or ready to upgrade your windows there are a few ways you can still help insulate your home for improved energy efficiency, such as:
- Closing your curtains and/or blinds when the sun is beating down on them or when it is extra chilly outside
- Checking your window and door seals to see if there are drafty gaps that may require new weather stripping
How Will You Reduce Your Energy Consumption This Season?
There are several ways to help improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your utility bills this fall. What measures will you take this season to help improve yours?
At Eastern Architectural Systems, we manufacture high-performance windows and doors that help homeowners improve their home’s energy efficiency and more. To get additional information about energy-efficient windows, click the button below and download our guide on them.
