In addition to the real estate market being hot, we’re in the middle of summer and the power bills are high due to the AC running constantly. As real estate agents we get asked a lot of questions from buyers about what are the average monthly utility bills for a home. During today’s show, Stephen and Brad discuss ways you can improve on energy efficiencies in your home in order to save on your monthly bills!
- Your HVAC unit uses about 40% of your electricity bill, so be sure to clean the HVAC unit serviced and cleaned between summer and winter each year.
- Change your air filters. This is something simple but can make a huge difference for you. Stephen recommends having y our filters set up on a reoccurring schedule so that you will automatically receive the filters when they need to be changed.
- Replace your light bulbs to LED light bulbs – these are 25% more efficient than your average light bulb.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Setting your home up on a program will help save up to $200/year as a homeowner. We aren’t home for several hours during the day, you can set the thermostat to cool down or warm up while you’re away so that you save money when you’re not at home.
- Turn the thermostat down on your hot water heater when you’re on vacation OR install a tank-less water heater. The tank-less system is more money upfront can last a lifetime and it only heats water when you need it.
- Weatherizing your home – these are the sealants around your doors and windows. If you can see light, there is air passing through there so add some weather stripping or hire a handy man to come out and install it for you.
- Energy efficient windows being installed can really help save you money. If this is out of the budget, get some good shades or curtains that will reduce the heat pouring into your home.
- Have your insulation checked by a professional, this helps to ensure that you are up to code on your insulation in the home.
- Strategic landscaping that will cast shade on the home during the hot or cooler parts of the day.
Want to work with Brad? Give him a call, 704-775-9957.