CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA Blog

How to Lower Your Energy Bill in Central PA with Energy Efficiency

If you’re trying to keep your energy bills under control, take comfort in the fact that you could be doing better than many of your neighbors. About a third of households in the U.S. struggle to keep up with their increasing energy prices, according to a recent study from the Energy Information Administration. The problem is that many homeowners aren’t aware of the easy steps they can take to lower energy bills.

The 4 R's for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

1. Replacing Old Appliances

Some of your most important appliances throughout the house are also the culprits of high energy usage. This means amenities like the washer and dryer, dishwasher, and even your refrigerator are affecting your monthly costs. Unfortunately, just trying to reduce frequent usage isn’t always the best option, especially if you live in a large household.

One simple solution is to at least be sure certain appliances are running at full capacity. This means you should avoid half-full washers or dishwashers. Drying your clothes on lower heat and using rack-drying methods can also help to reduce regular utility bills. Sounds like an easy plan, right? There’s one more solution that can reduce the energy usage of regular household appliances.

Instead of significantly changing your habits, investing in smarter electronics can help cut back on spent energy. Koala Insulation of Central Pennsylvania is a certified Energy Star Partner; we help connect our community with organizations that are dedicated to providing energy-efficient services and products. While Energy Star offers rebate programs in certain areas for updating appliances, they also offer energy-efficient choices when you’re looking to reduce expenses with devices that use less energy to run just as effectively.

1. Retrofitting Insulation Materials

The insulation throughout your home is designed to improve temperature regulation and the climate control capabilities of the building. These materials reduce the rate of heat transfer, which is how heat moves through a structure. When the insulation becomes old, damaged, or has been improperly installed, there could be significant heat loss in the winter and heat gain during the summer.

This doesn’t just create an uncomfortable environment. Your HVAC system needs to run more often in order to keep the desired temperature. As it’s continuously replacing air that’s freely moving through your walls and floors, your monthly costs are also increasing. On top of these expenses, you also increase the risk of overworking the unit, resulting in maintenance fees and a shorter lifespan for the machine.

Retrofitting insulation is when your local industry professionals remove old insulation and replace the material with something newer and more suitable for the needs of your home. Although some materials should be able to last up to 15 years, damages like moisture, pests, and other disturbances can significantly reduce the insulation’s lifespan. When the materials deteriorate, it’s significantly less effective in preventing irregular temperatures. This means you’ve lost a key line of defense in maintaining a comfortable environment.

1. Reducing Air Leaks

Updating your air sealing is a crucial counterpart to retrofitting insulation in order to reduce regular energy costs. The gaps and cracks throughout a building envelope are the culprits of problematic air leaks, allowing for a multitude of problems in the house. Leaving these areas unsealed is the equivalent of leaving a door or window open throughout the year.

Arguably, the worst of these problems is seeing an increase in energy bills. If the airflow isn't controlled in the house through the assistance of air sealing, the air can move freely through openings. Conditioned air or heat that's added to your home is lost through the cracks and replaced with outdoor air. This not only contributes to irregular temperatures but also increases the use of your HVAC system.

On top of higher fees, air leaks also pose a significant increase in health risks. Aside from giving you the chills from cold spots and drafts, the air from outside can also carry in dust, allergens, and other outdoor pollutants that reduce your indoor air quality. If you have allergies or asthma, this can worsen symptoms and discomfort. Updated air sealing not only reduces the strain on your wallet but also on your respiratory system.

1. Retiring Old Light Bulbs

Finally, it's important to remember that even small shifts in your home can contribute to an increase in energy savings. Incandescent light bulbs are major money-drainers; these outdated appliances are less efficient, dimmer, and have a shorter lifespan when compared to modern alternatives.

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and LED bulbs are already more widely recommended as builders are phasing incandescent bulbs out of suggested use. These use less energy and produce less heat while providing more light. LED bulbs specifically use an average of 75% less energy than incandescent lighting!

Switching out energy-wasting light bulbs is a great way to save energy, but there are also minor adjustments in your habits that can add up to more savings. While it may seem like a small improvement, turning off the lights when leaving a room actually helps to save every hour; this can add up more than you may think over an entire month. Move lamps to maximize their efficiency, like keeping a standing light near the couch or bed, as they’re more effective than a ceiling light while using less energy. Finally, don’t forget to open the blinds to reduce your need to flip the light switch in the first place!

Lower Your Monthly Costs with Local Assistance

Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they need to make major changes and adjustments to their habits to start saving on their energy bills. Instead, it's important to make sure the materials and appliances throughout the house are up-to-date and use energy efficiently. Everything from light bulbs to new refrigerators can influence how much you're spending each month. To learn more about how you can lower your energy usage and costs, contact Koala Insulation of Central Pennsylvania today and schedule your free evaluation.