When it comes to your home’s utilities, you know how to save on energy costs here and there. But sometimes the energy vampires around your home aren’t where you’d expect them to be. Have a look at five of these unexpected things that could be driving your energy bills up so you can deal with them and save money.
Your Windows and Doors Weren’t Installed Correctly
Your home’s doors and windows may be leaking valuable energy in terms of letting treated air escape and allowing outside air in. This makes you have to crank up your AC a lot more than would have been necessary, and this will translate to more energy being used. Have a professional inspect your doors and windows to make sure they have been installed the right way and have no gaps between the frames and windows themselves.
About 50% of the homes that were listed in the DC Metro market failed to sell the first time they were put up for sale and this may be due to not being up to standard. With 83% of Government contractors being out of compliance, you may be surprised to find that your house has a few issues that need to be fixed as well, so take the time to make sure your home is in the best state.
You Have Hard Water
Hard water is water that’s high in calcium and magnesium, which can build up in your pipes over time and lead to clogs, breaks, and corrosion. Hard water can make it more difficult to wash clothes and dishes, which hikes up your water bill. A water softener or water filter can help fight back against hard water. The expense of getting one set up will pay for itself in the long term as you will save money you would have had to spend trying to overcome the issues brought about by hard water.
This is a major issue given the fact that pipeline corrosion in the U.S. costs the economy over $9 billion every year. A solution that’s used often is continuous electrodeionization as a major part of a more comprehensive ultrapure water system. Because your home’s plumbing is of a much smaller scale, you can get a professional plumber to fix any leaks or corrosion you may have within your home and you will enjoy efficiency while making savings.
Your Old Treadmill Is Using More Electricity
According to Slate, as a treadmill ages, it can consume 30% more energy than it did in its younger days. You can put a stop to this by upgrading to a newer model which will be more energy-efficient and disposing of your old one. Alternatively, you can find a different option for exercising, either walking around the block or signing up for a gym membership so you can use their treadmill if the sign-up cost is not high enough to defeat the purpose.
It’s good to get exercise because it’s recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services that people aged between 18 and 64 years should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity. Get your required exercise levels in an energy-saving manner by upgrading any exercise equipment you need to keep at home.
These three issues may be the reason you have a hard time keeping up with your energy bills. Have a look at them to make sure you’re not paying more than you need to be. Over time, you will notice an improvement and you may start to look at other things you can do to make even more savings, so start with the three outlined above.