3 Signs Your Home Is Wasting Energy

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3 Signs Your Home Is Wasting Energy

In the United States, homes are rated the third-highest user of electricity and it can be attributed to people spending more time indoors. And according to some reports, 35% of energy in US homes is wasted. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of this. If you’re looking to save money in your home, these are some areas to pay attention to. It’s even better if you want to make your home more energy-efficient. Below are some signs to look out for.

  1. Summer moisture issues.

In the warm and hot months, you will likely notice an increase in humidity. However, as it gets hotter outdoors, your home should be able to keep the heat out and maintain comfortable temperatures indoors. You may have a problem when you notice a buildup of moisture or wet areas on your walls and flooring. It could mean that your home’s interior is holding up excess amounts of water vapor that condenses upon contact with the cold surface. Ideally, your air conditioner should remove excess moisture from the interiors during summer. If it isn’t functioning properly, it may be overworking to compensate for the loss of cool air. In other situations, the AC isn’t the culprit. It may be due to poor insulation or improper air sealing indoors. Until these issues are resolved, you will continue to waste energy at home.

  1. A boiler cannot maintain temperature for long.

Another way your home could be wasting energy is through outdated appliances. For example, an outdated water heater can drain as much as 50% of your home’s energy consumption. On the other hand, a modern one uses up to 31.3%. Even though that is still high, it is more energy-efficient. A new boiler has little to zero issues. However, if you’ve had it for a while, you may need an HVAC contractor to check it. That’s because a compromised HVAC system utilizes more power than it should. Unfortunately, because they don’t have many moving parts, the effects of wear and tear are slower. The only way to ensure it doesn’t fail out of the blue is to have regular checks. A few signs to look out for include frequent breakdown, inability to maintain temperature for long, and, most importantly, high bills. 

  1. Persistent window condensation.

Modern windows are created with insulation in mind. This is a particular feature of double-glazed glass windows designed with thermal barriers. Indeed, a little condensation on glazed windows is not much of a problem. However, when you continue to see a lot of water droplets between the glass, it’s time to evaluate your energy use. It’s likely that your window was poorly installed, accounting for the energy loss.

An ill-fitted window usually has tiny spaces on the sides that become entry and exit points for cool and warm air. Moreover, because air exchange is usually undetected, you will want to evaluate the rate at which water droplets form on the window. You have your answer if they form daily, especially in the mornings and late at night.

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Milo Senalle

Milo Senalle

Managing Editor at Chispa Magazine
As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.

Milo Senalle

As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.