Home heating is typically one of the most significant utility expenses that homeowners face, especially those who live in colder climates. It often makes up more than 40 percent of the whole utility bill. The good news is that you really don’t have to worry about choosing between shivering all night or turning up the heating but being left with an empty pocket when it’s time to pay the bills.
Smart solutions are here to help you – there are plenty of ideas, from smart thermostats, blinds with time-switch function, and showerheads that help save the hot water to taking advantage of solar energy. Lowering your energy consumption will not only allow you to take more control over the amount of money that you spend on heating, but it will also be an environmentally friendly move, which is a particularly important factor in the age of climate change.
That being said, if you feel ready to start paying less on your heating bills, continue reading below and learn more about smart home solutions that will help you achieve this goal.
Install Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters allow you to take a hot shower even if your storage tank runs low on hot water because they heat water on demand only when it’s needed for. So, if you don’t own a tankless water heater yet, but would like to see your heating costs go lower, consider looking for local businesses such as plumbing and heating services in Nottingham. Let the professionals take care of your water heating situation – initially, it might seem like a big cost, but it will definitely pay you back in the future.
Use a Smart Thermostat
In order to find out the temperature that you need the most, there are great products out there on the market, such as those made by Nest or Hive, which you can use as a smart thermostat for your home.
It learns your habits and automates itself so that you can save money by not heating or cooling an empty room. Purchasing a programmable thermostat that allows you to preheat or cool your home before you get home or go to bed so that when it’s time for your return or sleep, it will be nice and comfortable inside your house.
These devices also allow you to raise or lower the temperature while you are away and thus eliminate the risk of overcooling or heating while no one is home and spending unnecessary money on energy bills.
Take Advantage of a Time-Switch Blind
If you have a heat-recovery ventilator, a time-switch blind allows you to set it up to be closed during the day and open automatically at night. This will cool your home without having to run the air conditioner all night long. In addition, you can raise your blind during the hottest hours of the day to keep the hot sun rays out or set them to open at the time you wake up and close automatically when you leave for work.
Think About Using Solar-Powered Fans
Ceiling fans are great tools for heating control – they push down the warm air and create a draft, making the whole space feel cooler. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, think about installing one.
If you already have one, but it’s not solar-powered, consider purchasing a solar-powered fan instead. It costs less than air conditioning, saves energy, and is more environmentally friendly. Solar-powered fans can be installed both inside and outside, for example, if you have an outdoor patio or a gazebo.
Use Showerheads with Water-Saving Function
A lot of hot water is used when you take a shower or bath. If you want to make sure that you save water and lower your bills simultaneously, you should consider buying a showerhead with a water-saving function.
For example, if you choose one of these showerheads, you will be able to enjoy the warm water while using only 2 gallons of water per minute, which is just half of what an average showerhead uses.
Close Off Unused Rooms
One of the easiest ways to reduce heating expenses is by closing off unused rooms such as spare bedrooms or finished basements that aren’t used during the winter season and thus don’t require any heating. Open-floor plans used to be a great rage just a few years ago, but now more and more homeowners lean towards closing the vast open spaces to save on heating costs.
So if there is such a room in your house, close off its door and consider using another space instead – it will pay off in the long run!
Install Solar Panels
Solar panels could be an excellent choice for heating your water or even powering your home with solar electricity if you have the appropriate roof space. Of course, this approach might not be very affordable for all homeowners, but it can be a good starting point for those who want to try out solar energy without making too big of a commitment at first.
It’s another significant investment that comes with a pretty big initial cost, but they will pay you back in a way over time. To figure out whether you should get the solar panels installed for your home, it’s best to consult a professional company in your area and have them take a look at your situation.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many smart solutions for the home that can help you lower your heating bills and control your household environment. Whether you want to adjust the temperature of a single room or schedule a reminder to turn off lights or other appliances, smart home devices can come in handy.
Our tips prove that reducing your energy and heat consumption will not only have a positive impact on your wallet but also on the environment, so don’t wait up and try to figure out which of the smart solutions mentioned above could work for you and your home!
