Everyone knows that one of the best possible ways to save money on energy bills is to install home solar power and break free from the grid altogether. Residential solar power is becoming increasingly affordable the world over, and many people are choosing to build their own for even further savings. While this will remain one of the best ways to reduce your energy costs, there are other steps you can take that will help you save on your monthly power bills.
- Cut your hot water usage by washing laundry in cold or warm water. You can save even more by taking shorter showers, by not leaving the water running while washing dishes, and by skipping the pre-rinse when putting dishes in the dishwasher. Since your water heater can account for up to 1/3 of your electricity usage, this can make a tremendous difference in your monthly bill.
- Maintain your comfort zone for less. Shade west-facing windows to prevent excess heat from entering your home. Install shutters, awnings, or a pergola to cut down on the heat without blocking light. You can see even further savings by setting your thermostat a couple of degrees higher in the summer and a couple of degrees lower in the winter.
- Get more from your lighting. Switch all of your indoor incandescent bulbs to energy saving compact fluorescents or LEDs. Since these bulbs have a longer life, they not only save on energy use but also save you money on bulbs. Change all of your outdoor lighting to solar lights for even further savings.
- If you heat your pool, consider installing a solar pool cover to cut on heating costs. This is a simple sheet of vinyl designed to absorb the sun’s heat to warm your pool. It has the added advantage of reducing water loss through evaporation.
- Conduct a home energy audit to see where you can realize even further energy savings. You can do this yourself or you can hire one of the many green companies that specialize in this field to conduct one for you.
Whether you choose to install a home solar energy system, build DIY solar panels for your home, or just take several smaller steps to save energy you will see great savings on your monthly energy bills. Not only will you be saving money, you will also get the satisfaction of knowing that you are reducing your carbon footprint and doing your part to contribute to a more eco-friendly world.