9 Things to Do When You Have High Energy Bills In Colorado

It’s your least favorite moment of every month – the minute you open your home energy bill.

Why are home energy bills so scary? It’s probably because these bills, for many households, have doubled or even tripled as the years have gone by – and they’re wreaking havoc on personal banking accounts.

You may be asking the all too common question, “Why’s my home energy bill so high?” There are several causes of higher-than-average energy costs. Some include insufficient insulation and vampiric appliances. However, is there anything that you can do to improve the efficiency of your lifestyle and home?

Ascend Construction has extensive experience in insulating homes, helping consumers create comfortable living environments with optimum levels of efficiency. Our insulation services give homeowners an effective way to reduce their monthly energy costs.

That’s more than enough about us and what we do – let’s talk instead about how you can do your part to create an energy-efficient home and get your monthly energy costs down.

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Steps to Take When Your Fort Collins Energy Bill Is Too High

From washing your laundry in cold water to having a programmable thermostat put in, here are a few ways that you can make your life and living environment more efficient and get your energy costs down.

Seal All Leaks Around Your Home’s Windows & Doors

If you’ve got air leaks at your doors and windows, meaning you have a poor thermal envelope, these are costing you quite a bit of cash.

This issue can be resolved with spray foam. Insulation technicians can take the frames around your doors and windows out and then create seals that prevent air from seeping through.

The best insulation method for windows and doors to ensure that the cavity is full is to take the frames out. This process is also a lot easier. After the frame has been taken out by the technician, if there is old insulation remaining, they’ll take this out, too, and then apply spray foam at the gap.

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Use Insulation to Give Your Fort Collins Home an Air Seal

If there are air leaks throughout your home, you probably have to update your insulation.

There are multiple options for insulating a home, including cellulose, fiberglass, and foam. You should choose the best insulation for your house based on your needs and preferences, so take a little time to do some research. Even better, talk to reputable insulation professionals in your area.

If you’re interested in giving your home an air seal, either in your attic or walls, foam insulation is going to be the best choice. Foam insulation has the ability to create an air seal that cellulose and fiberglass cannot.

Have a Programmable Thermostat Installed

Programmable thermostat work wonders in households that are struggling to lower their energy use.

Simply adjusting your thermostat between seven to 10 degrees in either direction in winter or summer can cut your home heating and cooling costs by up to 10 percent, as reported by the United States Dept. of Energy (DOE).

In winter, the DOE suggests setting your home’s thermostat at just 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re awake and in the building. When you leave or when you go to sleep at night, it’s best to reduce your thermostat setting a bit more. In the summertime, try setting your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re at home, and then raising this setting when you step out.

Programmable thermostats make it easy to schedule these temperature changes, and they eliminate the need to make adjustments before exiting.

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Lower Your Water Heater’s Temperature

Without a doubt, your water heater is yet another factor that’s giving your home energy bills a boost. This is because water heaters are both used to store water and keep water warm.

Everyone loves standing under a steaming hot shower, but turning the temperature down just several degrees can lower your monthly energy costs. The ideal setting for your water heater temperature is 120 degrees.

Another helpful strategy is to turn your water heater off when going on vacation or leaving your home for an extended period of time.

Your Electronics Shouldn’t Be Left on Standby

They exist to suck energy.

This may sound overly dramatic, but your gaming system, tablet, personal computer, and countless other devices aren’t actually turning off – they are just sleeping.

While taking their naps, these devices receive updates, download new content, and use tons of energy. Over 10 percent of your monthly energy bill is the result of energy vampires like these, as reported by the U.S. DOE.

Use Cold Water to Wash Your Clothes

It might not seem like a huge amount of energy, but the amount that goes into washing a load of clothes is actually quite large. Simply adjusting the temperature of your wash can make a difference.

It takes a lot of effort on the part of your water heater to supply your washing machine with warm water. This uses a lot of energy all by itself. When you wash your clothes in cold water, you’re reducing the amount of energy it takes to do a load.

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances & Light Bulbs

Were you aware that about one-third of the electricity used in your home each month is for your lights and that appliances like your oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes dryer, and washing machine account for approximately 13%?

LEDs, CFLs, and other energy-efficient bulbs can cut between $30 and $75 from your home energy bill. These light bulbs also last between 10 and 25 times longer than standard light bulbs.

Energy Star-rated appliances are on deck next. These are energy-efficient appliances that will help you save even more cash. If your appliances are ready to be replaced, do yourself a favor and shop for options that have the Energy Star Rating.

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Run Your Appliances & Clean Them for Efficiency

Even when you have Energy Star-rated appliances in your home, if these aren’t run correctly and kept clean, they can wind up costing you quite a bit.

Everyone does it – we all forget to clean out lint traps and change the furnace and AC air filters from time to time. However, when you’re trying to reduce your energy spending, you have to remember to maintain your appliances so that they run all of the time efficiently.

You Cannot Control Extreme Weather

The one thing that you’re completely unable to control in terms of your home energy costs is the weather. Half of your home energy bill can be attributed to your heater and air conditioner.

If there’s a major heat wave or a cold snap rolling through, there really isn’t much that you can do. Try to keep your thermostat set at 78 degrees during the summer months and about 68 degrees during the cold season, and then choose your clothing accordingly.

Creating a Colorado Home That’s Energy-Efficient

Increasing the efficiency of your home will lower your monthly energy costs.

The tips above are a great way to get started on improving your home’s energy efficiency. Think of all that you can accomplish with the month that you’ll save from month to month. Maybe now is a good time to start planning for a long-awaited vacation.

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Energy Efficient Home Fort Collins CO

When it concerns improving your home’s energy efficiency levels, consulting with a professional is the best option. However, not all will offer the same quality of service and pricing. Always work with the best one in your area. Residents of Fort Collins and the neighboring area can call Ascend Construction for superior service.

Ascend Construction specializes in insulation removal and installation, air sealing, energy conservation, energy audits, whole house fan installations, and more! You can count on us to provide you with superior service that outshines the rest!

Contact Ascend Construction for a free consultation today. We can provide you with practical solutions to address the problem areas in your Fort Collins home. All of our services are affordable and our work is guaranteed. Click here to contact us, or click the button below to give Ascend Construction a call. We offer free, no-obligation, in-home consultations.

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Ascend Construction
301 S Howes St #1241
Fort Collins CO, 80521
(970) 420-5495