These days, we’re all spending more time at home than ever before. We’re working and attending school from home, on top of the relaxing and unwinding we’re doing there as well. With unprecedented time spent in our living environment, energy costs are rising. To offset this, here are some things you can do to reduce your home energy costs.

Harness Solar Energy

In Nevada and Southern California, it’s no secret that the sun is in abundance. Long, sunny days are perfect for homes looking to make the most out of solar energy systems. While you’re spending the days at home, your solar system is working to offset your increase in electricity costs, whether it’s stored in a small battery or sold back to utility companies for reduced costs on your energy bills. Plus, as solar technologies continue to advance, homeowners will have more options when it comes to the looks of the solar panels used on their homes.

Use Spray Insulation

When insulating your home, using spray insulation is the most energy-efficient insulation you can use. Traditional fiberglass insulation, while often the cheapest, typically allows for 30% of heat or AC to escape from the structure. In contrast, spray insulations fill each crack, keeping more heat or AC inside, lowering the cost to heat or cool the building. Plus, typical spray insulation can last up to 80 years, making it worth the investment and adding value to your home.

Switch to LEDs

According to US Energy Information Association statistics, lighting consumed 8% of residential and commercial electricity used in 2019. In comparison to traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lighting uses 75% less energy, making them both energy efficient and cost effective. While they may be more expensive, they also last 25 times longer, meaning they will be replaced far less frequently.

Install Energy Efficient Windows and Doors

In addition to choosing the right type of insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors can further help insulate a home and reduce energy costs. With Energy Star certified windows installed, energy bills are reduced by an average of 12% nationwide.

Building Material Choice

In warmer climates, using materials such as concrete, brick, or plaster to build your home can help to even out drastic temperature changes. Especially useful to desert climates (like Las Vegas or SoCal), the structure absorbs heat during the day, slowly releasing it back into the home when the nights are cooler. This is called the thermal mass effect and can help the home regulate heat and save on energy costs.

Landscaping

Another way to improve energy efficiency is landscaping, surprisingly. If you’re building a new home, choosing a location that has natural shade can help to reduce cooling costs. If natural, shady areas aren’t available, or you’re looking to improve your existing home, planting trees or shrubs to block the sun can be particularly helpful if there are large open windows that let in a lot of light and heat.