Maintaining a comfortable home is important. No one wants to freeze in the wintertime or melt in the summertime. Yet, the cost — both for your bank account and the environment — of heating and cooling a home can be high.
Luckily, there are simple ways to limit energy usage without giving up your comfort. One way to do this is by using an energy-tracking app. These apps hook up to your house’s utility lines and analyze your usage. This can help you pinpoint where you’re wasting energy so you can make changes to reduce your energy consumption and save money.
There are also lifestyle changes you can make to be more sustainable. Switching to LED lightbulbs, investing in insulating window coverings, and upgrading to smart home appliances are relatively easy changes that can help you use less energy and reduce your energy bills.
Some additional ways you can reduce energy usage:
- Line dry your laundry when possible
- Open the windows instead of cranking the air conditioning
- Use standing fans and space heaters
- Seal cracks in windows, doors, and foundation
To learn about some great energy apps as well as more sustainable home tips, check out the following infographic.
This article was originally published on February 16, 2021. We updated some links in January 2023.