Six Costly Mistakes Driving Up Your Utility Bills During The Pandemic

With vacations put on hold and COVID-19 cases continuing to rise even as many states work to slowly reopen, it’s safe to say that many of us will be spending more time than usual at home this summer. And that means using more electricity and water than normal. Here are six errors you’ll want to avoid to keep your summer bills in check.

1. Leaving windows unlocked and uncovered: Sure, blasting the AC will keep your place cool this summer. But if all that cold air is just leaking out, all you’ll have is a partly cool space and a huge electric bill.

2. Ignoring draft drain: Another way to quickly lose the cool indoor air this summer is by letting it leak through gaps in your home’s construction. In fact, drafts can waste up to 30% of a home’s energy, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

3. Forgetting to replace AC filters: AC units aren’t just working hard to keep your home cool, they’re also pumping all that cold air through a filter. Dirt in the filter can also cause significant damage to your air conditioner, and even put unnecessary strain on the motor. The best way to avoid this series of unfortunate events is to replace your air filters monthly.

4. Neglecting your pipes: Check your pipes for leaks this summer if you’d like to save on your water bill. Leaks can happen for a variety of reasons—especially when your outdoor hoses and sprinkler systems are frequently running and putting extra stress on the pipes.

5. Leaving devices plugged in: We all do it—run the vacuum, make some toast, or charge our devices—and then just leave everything plugged in. The solution is to get a smart power strip—or several.

6. Not having a smart thermostat: Easily installed smart thermostats will help you regulate your home’s temp, have mobile apps and keep all those pesky electric bills in check.

*Courtesy of Realtor.com


* Specific loan program availability and requirements may vary. Please get in touch with your mortgage advisor for more information.