Common Homeowner Mistakes That Drive Up Energy Costs in Your Home

Posted April 1, 2019

Paige A. Mitchell

If you’re trying to save money by reducing power and gas bills in your home, you may want to consider taking a look at your habits. You may not realize how much a few simple changes can save you. Try to think about if and how you strive to conserve energy in your home. Here are a few mistakes that may be driving up your energy bill.

1. Heating or cooling when you’re away

Consider what’s being used in your home when you’re not there. Simply installing a smart thermostat in your home is a great start to saving energy. It allows you to automatically change the temperature of your home at certain times of the day. This is a great way to save on cooling and heating costs when you’re at work or sleeping.

2. Trying to instantly cool or warm up the house

When you’re hot or cold, do you find yourself trying to force the thermostat up by putting the heat or air conditioning way up or way down? It’s easy to think that it will make the process faster, however, it really only makes a difference on your energy bill. Try to limit how drastically you change the temperature of your home.

3. Forgetting to change the air filters

Not changing your air filter regularly can lead to numerous issues. Dirty filters contain pollutants and increase your electric bill due to the extra work needed from your furnace. Dirty filters are also harmful to your health, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Be sure to change your filter once a month to reduce the amount of energy it uses.

Make sure to check your home warranty plan, especially if your HVAC system is towards the end of its life. According to House Method, providers will pay between $1,500 and $2,000 for HVAC. You can save on replacement and service costs. and can send a technician to inspect the filters and replace as needed.

4. Not considering the windows and doors

Making sure that your doors and windows are sealed properly is crucial for saving energy. If you open your windows during a nice day, make sure to lock them shut. Failing to do so may result in cold air getting in or warm air getting out.

Additionally, make sure that all of your exterior doors are weatherstripped. This ensures that the space between the door and your home is sealed. Conservation Mart states that around 11% of all residential heat loss comes from doors. Examining the effectiveness of your doors and windows is a great start.

5. Having a poorly insulated home

Many homeowners fail to realize the power of insulation. The foam insulation company, Great Stuff, notes that the typical home has gaps and cracks that stretch a half-mile long. Take a look around your home and look for problem areas.

If you’re unsure of what a problem area might look like, call a professional to get a home energy audit. Hiring a consultant who understands best practices is ultimately the quickest and most effective way to start preserving energy and saving money.