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If you’re a Vancouver home owner, you’ll know that gas and electricity are expensive! And while these are necessities of life, there are lots of ways to reduce your usage in order to save some money on your bills. Below, you’ll find some tips on how to save energy in five major areas of your home. Need any of the mentioned items in this article installed our repaired in your home? Check out my list of handyman services!

Heating

To save on your heating bills, try some of the following tips and tricks:

• Cover hardwood with area rugs to help retain heat
• Keep air and heating vents clear of debris and not blocked by furniture or other items
• Keep your blinds, shades and curtains open on sunny days to heat your home naturally
• Change the filters in your heating system on a regular basis for optimal performance

Hot Water

Heating water is just as expensive as heating air! So try these tips and tricks to save:

• Ensure there are no leaks in your hot water system
• Have regular maintenance performed on your hot water tank to ensure optimal performance
• Always do laundry on the cold water cycle, and never do just a partial load – a full load will ensure that you are not wasting water and electricity
• Install an eco-friendly shower head

Cooling

If you live in an area where it is super-hot, air conditioning is pretty much a must-have. But there are ways you can help keep your home cool without breaking the bank:

• Keep all windows and doors closed when running AC
• Keep blinds and drapes closed on hot days to help keep the heat out and prevent it from warning your air conditioned air
• Ensure you change any filters in your AC unit, and give it a good cleaning at least once a year for optimal performance
• Plant trees outside your windows to provide shade

Lighting

Lighting is one of the biggest ways people actually waste energy, but there are really simple fixes that can help reduce your electricity bill:

• Turn off the lights! This is a no brainer – don’t burn lights in rooms that are vacant!
• Invest in energy-efficient light bulbs – they use less energy and last much longer than standard light bulbs
• Use timers to turn lights on and off if your home is frequently vacant due to travel
• Use motion detectors for outdoor lighting so that it’s only used when you actually need it, not simply on all the time

Electronics

These days, electronics are our life! But they also use a TON of energy. Use these handy tips to save on your electricity bill while still enjoying your favorite electronics:

• If you must plug in, use a power bar and charge all your devices at once, then turn the power bar OFF when not in use
• The same goes for wired electronics – use a power bar vs. wall outlets. A good example is a home theater – ensure to use power bars for all your components, then when not in use, simply turn the power bars off.
• Always look for the Energy Star logo when you buy new electronics – Energy Star means the component uses up to thirty percent less energy than non-Energy Star devices

As you can see, there are lots of little changes you can make around your home to save energy, and in almost every case, you won’t experience any change in your quality of life other than feeling great when you see how much energy AND money you’ve saved!

Read more great tips from your Vancouver Handyman on the handyman blog.