5 Effective Tips to Make your House more Energy Efficient

Home energy costs have been on the rise for years. The reason for this jump has been the increase in fuel costs. Energy efficiency takes on a whole new necessity when costs get higher. Here are five ways to make a home more efficient and save money in the long term.

Service the Air Conditioner

Most experts recommend getting an air conditioning unit serviced on an annual basis. This will make sure that the unit is operating at peak efficiency and cut down on the cost of energy for a home. The best time to get an air conditioner serviced is at the beginning of the warm season so that it works well for as much of the hot period of the year as possible. Getting a reputable HVAC specialist that provides air conditioning service Chandler AZ and the surrounding area needs is important.

Fix Windows

Old single-pane windows are energy drains. While it might be expensive to get new windows, they will pay for themselves over time in terms of cost savings. Those who cannot pay for an upgrade immediately can add window tinting that will keep out the sunlight that makes a home hotter. Keeping shades closed during the summer and open during the winter can help as well.

Use Ceiling Fans

It might be counter-intuitive, but using ceiling fans year-round can save on energy costs. Most fans allow homeowners to flip a switch and change the direction of the airflow coming from a fan. In the winter, the desire is to force the warm air that rises down toward the floor level. In the summer, switching the rotation of the blades will circulate cool air upward. Both tricks can make a home feel more comfortable and cut on heating and cooling costs.

Insulate Heavily

Many older condos do not have much in the way of insulation. These houses seep out cold air during the summer and warm air during the winter. The result is having heat pumps and air conditioning units that work much harder than they have to. Buying some additional insulation for the attic and the basement or crawlspace can make keeping the intended temperature in a home much more easily.

Get New Energy-Efficient Lights

There has been quite a bit of talk about the phasing out of old incandescent light bulbs. From an energy standpoint, the newer florescent bulbs are much more efficient. In most cases, the cost savings in terms of electric bills will more than offset the higher cost associated with getting the bulbs. These bulbs can save money in the long term.

Those who want to save money on energy costs will find that these tips are really effective. Some will cost quite a bit of money. Others will be quite cheap. Regardless of the initial cost, they will all save money in the long term.