If you recently became a homeowner or are going to become one for the first time, congratulations! Owning a home gives you a great deal of independence and autonomy, but it is also a great deal of responsibility. There are many ways you can keep your home in good condition, but one of the most important ways we’re going to talk about today is energy-efficiency. An energy-efficient home costs less to run and maintain, is more comfortable to live in, is better for the environment AND has a higher resale value! If you don’t know what you can do to up the energy savings in your home, don’t worry. The pros at Roman Electric are here to help you out with some great spring efficiency tips for first-time homeowners.

1. Save Up on Heating and Cooling

Your heating and cooling system is one of the heaviest consumers of energy in your home. So, if you want to save up on your energy bill, start with your HVAC unit! There are multiple ways you can save up on cooling this spring:

• Set Your Thermostat a Few Degrees Higher

According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% on heating and cooling bills by setting your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher for 8 hours a day. Try out this energy-saving method and see if you notice a change in your energy bill. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, this might be fairly easy to try out.

• Use Fans

Instead of relying entirely on your HVAC unit to provide cooling, set your thermostat at a bit of a higher temperature and use fans instead. Fans create a wind-chill effect, cooling the person instead of the room.

• Change Your Air Filter

One of the easiest ways to maintain your HVAC unit is by changing the air filter. Not only will it improve your AC’s efficiency as well as your home’s indoor air quality, it will also reduce your unit’s consumption by 5 to 15%!

2. Use Low-Flow Fixtures

Water conservation comes under the umbrella of energy-efficiency and spring efficiency. So, if you want to save up a little bit on your water bill, try installing low-flow fixtures. A lot of toilets, showerheads and faucets are on the more wasteful side and low-flow fixtures get the same job done without wasting too much water. According to the DOE, low-flow faucets and showerheads can cost up to $20 a piece while saving water by up to 60%.

3. Choose LED Lights

Consider switching to LED lights in your new home. These lights last 25 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and use at least 75% less energy. By simply replacing 5 of your home’s most frequently used lights with LEDs, you could save $75 a year in energy costs.

Want more energy-efficiency tips for your new home? Get in touch with the pros at Roman Electric! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website!