There are multiple ways that you can increase your energy savings. Simple changes in your home to advanced home upgrades could help you save money on energy. The two most important reasons to save energy are to save money on power bills and to help protect the environment. That is why this article will discuss many methods for saving money on your energy expenses. Furthermore, you can always rely on some federal assistance programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for financial assistance with your energy expenses.
How Can the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Help?
LIHEAP promotes family safety and health by assisting low-income households with energy bills. The LIHEAP program provides federally supported aid in managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and basic energy-related home repairs. In other words, the LIHEAP program can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, in order to qualify for the Program, you must meet the income eligibility conditions. One of LIHEAP’s main goals is to reduce the risk associated with harmful cooling and heating practices.
The federal government is in charge of funding the LIHEAP program. However, the funding and scope of the LIHEAP are determined by the state in which you live. In general, this program can assist you with: cooling and heating energy expenses, utility bill assistance for low-income households, small home repairs, and/or emergency support during emergency situations. This includes house weatherization as well. This program provides all of these relief choices to eligible Americans in order to improve their home and financial status. The overall goal is to minimize the consistent energy costs in every American family.
How Can The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Help?
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income Americans lower their energy bills and make their homes more energy-efficient. The federal government offers these funds to help struggling low-income families improve their energy performance. These funds can help those in need by taking advantage of the newest technology and testing techniques available in the housing industry for weatherization.
To be eligible for this program, you must be a resident of the state in which you apply and have a need for assistance with home energy bills. States typically prioritize seniors over the age of 60, families with one or more disabled members, and families with children. Furthermore, if you already receive Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you are immediately eligible for WAP support.
What Else Can You Do to Save Money On Energy Bills?
Energy saving is mainly the practice of using less energy to save money and protect the environment. This could imply that you will consume less power, gas, or any other type of energy from your services and bills. Because our planet’s energy supplies are limited, you should do your best to actively save energy and lower the amount of energy you consume in your home. It’s a win-win for your budget and the planet! Here are some useful tips to start with:
Change Your Daily Routine
Saving energy can be as simple as turning off lights or appliances when they are not in use. You might also consider using less energy-intensive appliances and doing domestic chores on your own. This could include hanging laundry on racks instead of using dryers or hand-washing dishes rather than using a dishwasher.
Switch Your Light Bulbs
Traditional light bulbs take a lot of energy and you need to replace them more frequently than energy-efficient alternatives. Halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use up to 80% less energy. Moreover, halogen bulbs last 3 to 25 times longer than regular light bulbs. It’s possible that it is past time to replace your light bulbs.
Invest in Smart Power Strips
Phantom loads, or electricity consumed by electronics when they are turned off or in standby mode, are a significant source of energy waste. In fact, when household devices are not in use, about 75% of the energy utilized to power them is consumed. You could pay up to $200 each year for this. Smart power strips, also known as advanced power strips, eliminate phantom loads by cutting off the electricity to appliances when they are not in use. The smart power strips can be programmed to turn off at a specific time, during inactivity, via a remote switch, or depending on the status of the “master” device.
Use A Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can be adjusted to turn off or limit heating and cooling while you are sleeping or away. Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to eliminate energy use for heating and cooling. The best part is that you do not need to replace the HVAC system.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances
Appliances frequently account for over 13% of total household energy use. When purchasing equipment, you should consider two factors: the initial purchase price as well as the annual operating expenditures. Although energy-efficient appliances may cost more to buy, their operational costs are typically 9-25% cheaper than conventional models.
Change Your Windows
Windows can be one big source of energy waste. They might increase your total heating expenses by 10 to 25%. Replace single-glazed windows with double-glazed ones to prevent heat loss.
Gas-filled windows with a “Low-E” coating can greatly cut heating costs in colder climates. Additionally, interior or exterior storm windows can prevent wasteful heat loss by up to 20%. If your neighborhood is subject to extreme weather, you should pay careful attention to storm windows.
Turn Down The Temperature in Your Washing Machine
Laundry is a vital task that is part of most American homes’ weekly routine. It also consumes a lot of energy, especially if you tend to use hot water. In fact, the majority of the energy that the washing machine consumes is for heating. Using cold water has several potential economic benefits, with consumers saving more than $50 per year by lowering the wash water temperature by 15 degrees. There are even suggestions that washing your clothes in cold water can increase their life without causing heat damage.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
HVAC systems include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Heating alone accounts for more than 40% of total energy use in the house. Because northern households live in lower temperatures throughout the year, there are gas furnaces designed specifically for the northern and southern regions of the United States.
Replace The Air Filters
Many devices in your home, including your HVAC system, have filters. These systems have always shown a warning that the filters must be replaced on a regular basis. This will not only help you with expensive air conditioner repairs, but it may also save you money. According to a report published by the Department of Energy, replacing dirty filters on a regular basis can lower household energy consumption by up to 15%. This is due to the fact that clean filters are more efficient and less exhausting on your system.
Overall
Finally, there are lots of things you can do in your home to save energy. You might not believe it, but you can save hundreds of dollars on energy consumption each year. There are things you can do at home, as well as programs you can apply for to assist you. The two major programs that can assist with household energy efficiency are the LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). To qualify for these programs, simply ensure that you meet the eligibility conditions.
