Green Energy Tips to Save You Money on Home Insurance
Your home insurance policy covers the house’s structure. It protects the walls, roof, floor siding and even insulation. Your energy use can affect all these portions of the structure, and working to improve energy use can help you reduce your home’s normal wear and tear. To your insurer, this is a plus, as a well-maintained home has a lower chance of facing insurance claims. In the end, that can help you save a lot of money on insurance.
Check out these five tips to conserve the electricity, insulate the home, keep the walls fortified and keep your premiums low.
Tip One: Check the Attic Insulation
If you have an unfinished attic, then take a look around. There should be insulation between the beams—about six inches worth of it. If the insulation is missing, damaged or deteriorating, then you might wind up paying extra costs on your utility bills. Many states offer up to a 75% refund rate for insulation installations, too.
Tip Two: Install Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are low-energy life-savers which keep your home’s air moving. In essence: They keep the mold away. If you can prevent mold development, you might be able to avoid damage that your homeowners coverage won't insure.
Ceiling fans are also a green solution. They reduce the need for constant air conditioning use and can prevent the home’s A/C unit from becoming overburdened in a way that could start a fire. During the summer, make sure your fans blow counterclockwise (which helps blow air onto you and creates a breeze) and don’t forget to reverse them at the start of each season.
Tip Three: Replace the Air Filters
If you’ve ever faced frozen air conditioner coils, then you know how damaging an unchecked AC unit can be. The replacement process takes 10 seconds, and the low-cost swap-out is well worth it. Otherwise, you might be facing an outdated filter, a hard-working HVAC system and extra premiums from your unit’s depreciation.
Tip Four: Get Energy Efficient Appliances
If you’re going appliance shopping, focus on energy efficiency and reliability. An energy-efficient fridge can do wonders for your kitchen’s longevity, and it can prevent your electrical system from being overburdened. The reduced strain of removal might also protect your area from unnecessary damages. In general, try to purchase appliances with 20-year lifespans.
Tip Five: Sign Up for Time-of-Day Utilities
These programs offer low-energy alternatives to constant utility services. They even offer overnight services. You might learn how much your home's altered energy flow will reduce its damages to the house over time.
If you’re ready to save big bucks on your insurance, start outfitting your home’s energy consumption standards from the ground up. Your utility bill will thank you, and so will your home insurance premiums.