January 10th is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day! What better way to kick off the New Year than implementing habits into your life to reduce your energy bills? In celebration of this day, there are plenty of ways you can reduce energy usage to cut costs, and one of the easiest ways to do so is with window film! In addition to window film, there are a variety of other steps you can take to save some money this year by lowering energy costs.
Install Window Film
Heating and cooling your home makes up a large percentage of your energy bill. Heat escapes and enters through your home’s windows, making it more difficult for your heating and cooling systems to regulate interior temperatures. During chilly winters, it’s easy for the warm air in your home to escape through the windows. On the other hand, in the heat of summer, the rays of the sun shining through windows can heat up the space that you’re trying to keep cool.
By installing window film in your home or office, you receive up to 30% energy savings year-round. Insulating window film, like 3M Thinsulate, can be applied to windows and acts as a barrier — keeping heat out in the summer, and trapping heat inside in the winter. Maintain a comfortable temperature in your home year-round, and reduce the energy used by your heating and cooling systems. For more information on how window film can help reduce energy costs, read our blog.
Earn LEED Credits with Window Film
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a world-wide rating system that grades how eco-friendly buildings are. This helps reduce the carbon footprint of virtually any kind of building, leading them to become more cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly. In order to receive a LEED certification, you must add environmentally-friendly features to your space, be it your home or office. By installing window film, you can earn a LEED certification. To learn more about how window film can help earn LEED certifications, read our blog.
Other Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs
Unplug It!
Most people leave everything plugged in, like printers, TVs, toasters, and much more even when they aren’t in use. However, just because they aren’t being used, doesn’t mean they aren’t using energy! In fact, leaving your toaster plugged in can use up to 876 watts of energy. A simple way to cut back on wasteful energy usage is by unplugging the items in your home that you aren’t using. An easy way to implement this energy-saving habit is to use power strips! When you aren’t home or using the items, simply turn off the power strip.
Wash Large Loads on Cold
When washing dishes or a load of laundry, Energy Star recommends using cold water and a large load. When you use a dishwasher or washing machine even on a small load, they can use just as much water as a large load. According to Energy Star, washing large loads can save you up to 3,400 gallons of water a year. Additionally, hot water uses up to 90% of the energy your washing machine uses. By using cold water, you can save both money and energy.
Take Shorter Showers
Everyone enjoys a long, hot shower, but doing so can add up, especially in a family home. To cut back on water usage, you can install a low-flow showerhead. A traditional showerhead uses about five to eight gallons a minute, while a low-flow showerhead uses about 2.5 gallons per minute. Using one a low-flow showerhead to take a 10-minute shower can actually save you five gallons of water compared to taking a bath and up to $145 each year on electricity.
Hit the Lights
One of the easiest ways to cut back on energy is to cut off the lights! Before leaving for the workday, be sure to turn lights off that would otherwise burn for the next 8 to 9 hours. Additionally, you can replace the lights you most frequently use with Energy Star-qualified light bulbs. In fact, these lights use 75% less energy and last 6 to 10 times longer than a standard light bulb. By making a simple switch, you can easily save money and energy.
With these simple changes, you can cut your energy costs. By implementing new habits into your daily life, you will save extra money and energy in your home or office. To learn more about high electric bills and how window film can help, read our blog here.
PA Window Tint Inc. began serving central Pennsylvania in 1993. Over the years, we have extended service to New York, Maryland, and New Jersey. Today, PA Window Tint is a 3M Prestige dealer, which identifies our company as a member of the elite network of dealers in the country which are entrusted with offering 3M’s highest quality products and providing impeccable installations. Give us a call at 1-866-329-0064 or fill out a form online.