Cost efficiency is a term usually connected with organizations and commercial establishments. Have you ever considered making your home cost-efficient? Here are some interesting and practical ways to make every home more cost-efficient. These steps save your utility bills which you can either add to your savings or spend on a beautiful family vacation to remember.
1. Energy Decisions
Energy is what keeps us going and the bills too! One of the biggest expenses that we all face is for power and gas. According to the government surveys, as much as 40% of your energy expenditure is spent on heating and cooling. Next on line is refrigeration and then comes water heaters. Your home’s climate control system is the key to controlling your energy bills. Draught-proofing, sealing your windows and doors, replacing or maintaining better temperature control system etc. can save you a considerable amount on your energy bills.
2. Renewable Energy Solutions
Considering newer and more efficient energy sources such as solar and the wind can also help the homeowners in better energy conservation. Technology has improved considerably, reducing the cost for installation of greener energy solutions such as solar and wind power which are now more affordable to the homeowners. Being self-sufficient in energy requirements can be the best way to reduce energy bills.
3. Utilities – Telephone, Broadband and Television
The next important elements of cost-control are your utility bills. These are sometimes necessary and at other times adding on to your expenses without your knowledge. Almost everyone uses a mobile phone and hence, the need for a land phone can be rethought of.
The internet has become inevitable for households. But there’s a lot of competition among the ISPs and new players like Trust Power are offering better options that can save you some time and money. At homes where everyone is home only at night, the need for a full-time television cable subscription can be rethought.
A faster internet connection with online television channel subscription will be a better option. You can connect your internet to your smart TV if you have one and watch what you want to, online. This way, you pay only for what you are using.
4. Multi-Utility Providers
These are the new-age service providers who understand the users and their usage and offer multiple utilities such as Power, Gas, Internet and Phone. How are they related? Money, of course! These multi-utility providers let you choose a combination plan that’s just right based on your consumption. Power and Gas can be alternatively used for cooling and heating the home and for cooking too.
So based on your requirements, you can choose an energy plan with a certain ratio of power and gas which can save you considerably on the bills. Similarly, if you choose your broadband and phone subscriptions too from them, you stand a chance to get a good discount on these too as all your utilities are managed by a single service provider.
5. Timely Maintenance and Replacement
Surveys have revealed that timely maintenance or replacement of your old home appliances and temperature control system can decrease your energy consumption to a great extent. Newer appliances and gadgets coming in the market are more energy efficient and provide you better outcome too.
For example, the refrigerator is one appliance that tends to consume a lot of energy. With the latest technology, refrigerators have become more energy efficient which can help you save considerably on your energy bills. Periodic maintenance of your electrical appliances will definitely save your energy consumption just like your car’s fuel consumption is optimized if it is serviced on time.
6. Conducting Home Energy Audits
Energy audits can bring to your notice what particular appliance uses more energy and how you can control it. Even though the best way is to engage a professional agency for an efficient energy audit, you can do it yourself, if you are an expert. The professionals would thoroughly check your ducts for air and heat leaks, appliances for energy leaks and performance and the efficacy of the lighting systems. They come up with the results and suggestions on how you can make your homes more energy efficient, making them more cost-efficient.
