As a homeowner, personal finance should be one of your main concerns. Once you’ve bought the house, you’re responsible for all repairs and renovations, which can get very expensive. One great way to save money is to reduce your home’s energy costs. Here are a few ways you can do that.
Replace Your Roof
Replacing your roof is an investment, but it is one that can save you money in the future. Look into your options for roofing materials. Certain roofing materials can decrease your home’s energy consumption by up to 30%. Since your roof covers all the surface area of your home, it must be properly insulated or you’ll be losing money. If you have a drafty house and your roof is coming up on the end of its lifespan, start making plans to buy a more energy-efficient roof next time. By planning ahead, you can get your new roof for the best possible price, then save even more money in the future by choosing the best materials.
Plant Your Plants Strategically
You probably don’t consider your gardening a financial activity, but planting trees and shrubs strategically can save you a lot of money. You can use these plants to cool the air around your house and decrease your air conditioning bills by up to 25%. A cooler home needs less air conditioning to reach a comfortable level in the hot seasons. Since you’re using less air conditioning, it means you’re using less energy. These savings will show up in your energy bill. As you consider your landscaping, keep this in mind. It can be a fairly inexpensive way to save you money in the future.
Switch to Solar Energy
If you get your electricity from your energy provider, you’re relying on fossil fuels to power your house. This can get expensive and the prices are out of your control. However, if you switch to solar power, you’re getting your electricity free from the sun. This means you don’t have to pay the prices set by the power company. Setting your house up for solar is not free, but there are ways to make it affordable. Government rebates, payment plans, and rental equipment can get you started. Then, in the long run, you’ll save a significant amount on your energy bills. Sometimes you can even sell that solar energy to the power company, allowing you to profit off of your system.
Seal or Replace Your Windows
Your windows are a massive source of heat loss in cold weather. Approximately 30% of your home’s heating energy is lost through the windows. The warm air leaks out, causing your system to work harder in order to keep the house warm. This burns more fuel, resulting in higher energy prices. Take steps to seal up your windows to keep more of that warm air inside your house. If you’re able to do so, replace your windows with a more energy-efficient option. If that is outside of your budget right now, take steps to seal the windows you have more securely. Even a few improvements will help you retain heat.
Making energy-efficient changes to your home might not have visible benefits right away. You’ll likely need to make some investments if you want to see a radical change. However, you’ll find that making your home more energy efficient will reduce your costs significantly in the future. This will not only make up for the initial investments, but it will save you a lot of money over the years to come. So, as you consider ways to save money in your home and improve your personal finance situation, keep these options in mind!
