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WorldExecutivesDigest | What Are The Biggest Problems When It Comes To Energy In Your Home? | When you have your own place to live, it’s going to come with bills. This isn’t a fun thing to consider, but if you want the freedom of owning or renting your own space, bills are an inevitable and important part of the process. So it’s important to understand what you’ll need to pay and how to pay it.
It’s also important to understand where the problem areas within your home might be and what you can do to reduce your energy will where possible. Read on for some ideas on where to start looking.
Windows
Your windows could be the biggest issue in your home when it comes to your energy usage. This can come as a surprise because you don’t have to plug them in or use any energy to enjoy a view. So how can your windows be a problem?
The problem is that windows leak – or they can leak. Older windows will often have gaps around the edges that form over time, and sometimes they might also be single panes of glass rather than the modern double or even triple panes. This means warm air from your home can leak out, and cold air can leak in, and that means your heating and cooling has to work harder, using more energy and costing you more money.
If you have older windows, replacing them is often the best solution. If that’s not in your budget, a cheaper option is to re-seal them to stop the drafts.
Air Conditioning
In a lot of cases, we just couldn’t manage without our air conditioning. It helps us stay more comfortable and even more productive (especially if we work from home), but it could be costing a lot more than it needs to and using far too much energy.
As we mentioned above, if your windows (and doors) aren’t sealed properly, your air conditioning unit will be costing you more than it should. However, as well as that, having the wrong kind of unit can be costly too. If you live in an apartment, for example, you’ll be better off having flat air conditioning rather than something designed for a house. Not only will it cost less to buy, but it will also cost less to run.
No matter what air conditioning you have, it’s ideal to have it serviced once a year to keep it running well and ensure you’re not using too much energy.
Insulation
Insulation is very important in a home. It’s what helps to keep the property warm or cool, depending on the time of year. In any case, good insulation means you won’t have to pay so much for heating or cooling bills and energy.
Check to see what the insulation is like in your home. Is it even there (sometimes it can be missing – perhaps it was removed for renovations and never restored)? If it is there, it should be replaced if it is old. The older the insulation, the less efficient it will be.
