Do you feel like you’re spending more money on utilities? Social distancing and quarantining at home may mean higher electricity needs and cooling demands.

According to research reported in Renewable Energy World, energy bills showed an increase of roughly 20 percent in the month of March 2020 as opposed to March 2019. You can help lower these expenses by adopting a few simple lifestyle changes and switching to energy-efficient products. Remember, saving energy at home is a win-win — not only does it mean less money spent each month on power bills, but it also shrinks your energy footprint.

ADJUST INDOOR TEMPERATURES

During warm weather, set your air conditioner at the highest temperature possible for your family to feel comfortable. What’s more, when you’re gone, turn the temperature up. You can save as much as 10 percent a year by making seasonal adjustments to your thermostat of 7-10 degrees for eight or more hours, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

SMART HOME CONTROLS

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Control your smart home products within one central hub with the Brilliant Smart Home Control, which supports LED, CFL, halogen, incandescent bulbs, dimmable and multi-way lighting. The device offers an array of high-tech functionalities including a built-in Amazon Alexa, (also works with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit), an all-in-one mobile app that can be controlled from anywhere, and a built-in camera with privacy shutter, motion sensor and intercom system.

BLOCK NATURAL HEAT SOURCES

Radiant heat from the sun outside can come through windows and heat up your home quickly, making air con ditioning units run harder and longer to maintain a comfortable environment. The Home Decorators Collection Blackout Cordless Cellular Shades energy-efficient fabric insulates and shields a room from the outside heat, helping to lower energy bills while providing room darkening and privacy capabilities.

USE FANS STRATEGICALLY

The breeze from a ceiling or portable fan can help you feel cooler, so use them as you move from room to room, particularly when sleeping at night. Additionally, ventilation fans play an important role in regulating temperatures, as well as eliminating mold and mildew.

TURN OFF LIGHTS

Switching to LED and other environmentally friendly lighting options not only saves energy, but also produces light with less heat output so your home stays cooler. For example, EcoSmart light bulbs use 75 percent less energy than 60-watt incandescent bulbs and meet federal minimum efficiency standards. Make the swap to enjoy lower energy bills without traditional phantom heat output.

KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE

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Being proactive with home maintenance can help you control energy costs all year.

Start by changing your furnace filter regularly to keep air flowing freely so your HVAC system doesn’t work harder than necessary. The minimum requirement is once a season, but you may want to do it more often when in higher use as filters will get dirty faster.

Additionally, seal leaks, repair roofing and monitor insulation and you’ll position your home for energy efficiency and streamline costs.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.

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