(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s a lot you can do to save money on your energy bills. You can switch to a tankless water heater, install a programmable thermostat, and replace all the light bulbs in your home with LEDs. Those are all great ideas, but there’s a lot more you can do!
If you’re still finding that your utility bills are a bit higher than you’d like, you need to turn to the way you decorate your home. There are quick and simple home decorating tips you can try that are surprisingly good at lowing your energy bills.
Install and Use Window Coverings
One of the best things you can do to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter is to use window coverings. That doesn’t mean you have to hang out in the dark either.
Roller shades from Just Blinds are a great way to prevent the hottest rays of the sun from entering a space while letting in a little natural light at the same time. In the winter, when it gets dark and cold, insulating curtains can keep the cold out and the heat in, which means you’ll use your HVAC system a lot less.
If you want to bump it up a notch, why not think about turning your window coverings smart. If you have a smart home system, or have been thinking about installing one, you can connect your blinds, shutters, and so on, to your devices. There are many material and color options for window coverings that you can choose from so you aren’t limited when you go smart.
Install Stylish Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can keep a space cool in the summer, and running a fan is always going to be less expensive than running the air conditioner all day and night!
However, your fan isn’t just effective during the hot summer months. By switching your fan’s direction, you can keep a space warmer too. A ceiling fan that moves clockwise creates an updraft that pulls cold air up to the ceiling and evenly distributes warmth through the room.
To ensure that your fan is functioning at its best and isn’t working too hard, which can result in more energy being used up, you will want to speak with a Pompano Beach electrician (or one similar) to have it checked out and fixed if an issue is found.
Keep Plenty of Blankets Around
There’s only so many layers you can take off in the summer, but in the winter, you can always put another layer on! Turn down your heater and put on a sweatshirt and a pair of warm socks. Throw blankets can help too.
Not only are cozy blankets a great way to accessorize a room, they are functional as well. Drape one on the couch or an armchair so you can cover up the next time you’re tempted to crank up the heat.
Play Temperature Tricks with Color
Color can easily change the feeling of a room, and that includes its temperature. For example, colors that can make a room seem cooler include:
- Blue
- Green
- Violet
These kinds of colors can also reflect the rays of the sun, cooling a space by at least a few degrees in the summer.
Color can make a room seem warmer too! If you have a room in your home that doesn’t get any direct sunlight in the winter, consider painting it a dark red or brown.
You may only save a few bucks here and there with these tips, but at the end of the year, that can add up to tens or even hundreds of dollars! Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of a more beautiful space.
Staff Writer; Reggie Barnes
