By making a few upgrades to your home or office, you can save money on your utility bills and improve energy efficiency. As a business owner or homeowner, it is important to keep your office or home running efficiently. Energy efficiency will help you save money on your utility bills and help the environment thrive.
Earlier this month was Energy Efficiency Day, a time to think about making some key upgrades that will improve the efficiency of your home or office. According to Wallet Hub, “In the United States, energy costs eat between 5 and 22 percent of families’ total after-tax income.” Money Management states, “If you’re working with a budget, and trust me, you should be, your utility costs should be no more than 8-10 percent of your monthly income.”
How to Make Your Home or Office Energy Efficient
Switch to LED Lighting
LED lighting is a great example of how innovation and technology can make your life easier. LED lighting lasts at least 25 times longer and consumes up to 90 percent less electricity than incandescent lightbulbs. By switching five of your most frequently used lightbulbs with ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs, it’s possible to save $75 on energy costs annually.
Seal Leaks in Your Home or Office
On average, heating and cooling account for almost half of a home’s or office’s energy consumption. In fact, little leaks can be equivalent to leaving a 3-foot-by-3-foot window open. Take simple steps like caulking windows, replacing windows, sealing leaks around recessed lighting, and sliding draft guards under your doors to save up to 20% on heating costs.
Heating and Cooling Efficiency
Don’t waste money heating or cooling an empty office. Install a programmable thermostat. During the fall and winter months schedule your office to lower temperatures when the office is closed and increase the temperature when your employees arrive in the morning. In warm weather, schedule the thermostat to raise the temperature when you are away, and lower it at other times. Follow the U.S. Department of Energy recommended temperatures and be energy-efficient all year.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Make sure to maintain your HVAC system. Clean or change your furnace filters regularly. A dirty furnace filter will slow down airflow, making the system work harder to keep you warm (or cool) and costing you more money. Consider getting a winter tune-up for your HVAC system. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a semi-annual or yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can be vital to improve efficiency and save you money.
By making a few key upgrades to your home or office, you will save money on your utility bills and improve energy efficiency. When you’re ready to make energy efficiency upgrades to your home or office, contact Albrite Building at 630.655.9436. Let’s discuss energy efficiency options for your home or office.
Albrite Building is a General Contractor company located at 777 Oakmont Lane, Suite #50, Westmont, Illinois 60559. We specialize in commercial building projects as well as residential projects.