The Real Reason Your Home’s Energy Bill Is So High
While the reason your home’s energy bill is so high is largely out of your control, you can manage certain factors to reduce your household’s energy consumption. Examining your home is one of the first things you can do to start reducing your utility expenses today.
Your Furnace Filters Need Changing
A furnace requires a clean passageway to pull adequate air to funnel through the system. When the filter is old or clogged, the furnace must work much harder to draw the air supply necessary for performance.
Naturally, furnace filters collect a lot of dust and debris as time goes on, so inspecting the quality of your furnace’s filter and changing it approximately every three months are advantageous. You may notice a significant decrease in your home’s energy bill—and an increase in air quality.
Old Windows With Tattered Weather-Stripping
A relatively common misconception about a home’s windows is that they last forever—or at least for the duration of your occupancy. Unfortunately, this is not true. Several variables play into how long a home’s windows last, but generally, it’s roughly 20 years.
If your home’s windows are near or beyond this age, you’re likely experiencing the effects of overworn insulation and weather-stripping. This can inflate your energy bill because your windows are no longer performing ideally, welcoming unwanted temperature fluctuations into the home. Consider contacting your local window company for replacements, as replacing your windows can lower your energy bill.
Aging Appliances With No Efficiency Ratings
Aging appliances with no energy efficiency ratings can pull a significant amount of power and increase your overall utility expenses. Most of your appliances probably remain plugged in 24 hours a day. You can have your primary utility company perform a usage test on your home’s appliances to diagnose their performance. Or you can simply invest in new appliances if you know they’re outdated.
Duplicate Appliances
Duplicate appliances almost always play a role in high energy bills as well. For example, many people swap their old fridges for newer versions and keep the old ones as spares. This is a surefire way to inflate your bill.
Utility Usage During Peak Hours
Call your utility company to learn about your area’s peak energy hours. Usage rates typically increase during this time, so if you find that your hours of significant use fall into this window, it could be a reason for your home’s high energy bill.
Understandably, paying high energy bills can be difficult. But by taking inventory around your home, you can begin to lower these costs.