5 Ways to Combat Utility Cost Inflation in 2022

by George Karonis

Rising rates of inflation mean that winter this year may be particularly costly. Retail and grocery stores have already hiked up their prices to match the increasing inflation, and are likely going to continue doing so, at least in the short term.  The next big industries that are believed to increase their prices to match inflation are utility companies. HVAC companies are expected to begin increasing their prices in 2022 as inflation continues to rise, which could mean bigger utility bills for people everywhere.

Luckily, some have seen this coming, and figured out how they can prepare for the incoming winter to reduce bills and save money. Below are 5 simple ways you can combat utility cost inflation in the coming year.

1) Rely less on heating and cooling.
With rising HVAC costs on the way, you can help your home become more energy efficient so that you can potentially break even with increasing costs, or even save money in the long run. The easiest way to do this is to use less energy, and there are a number of ways to go about this.

  • Before turning on your heating or cooling system, decide whether you really need it or if you’d be fine with an extra jacket or a few open windows instead.
  • Other examples include: during the winter consider turning your heat down at night while you’re sleeping and just use extra blankets in bed.
  • Also, make sure you aren’t heating any part of the house or apartment that you aren’t using. For example, when you go downstairs for the day, turn the heat off upstairs.

2) Make sure your home is energy efficient.
Even if you’re doing everything you can to save money on utilities, if your heating system isn’t working properly or you have a poorly insulated home, your utility bills can still be skyhigh. So make sure that everything in your home is running smoothly and that it’s properly insulated.

You can conduct a home energy audit yourself by inspecting your basement and attic for weak points in insulation or you can hire someone to conduct a home energy audit so you can better identify and fix any problems in your home’s energy efficiency.

3) Utilize energy star home upgrades and winter weatherization.
Another great way to make sure that your home isn’t wasting money in the winter is looking towards resources like the Energy Star home upgrades and winter weatherization program, which are available for many low-income households in the U.S.

4) Install a whole house fan.
Whole house fans are one of the most effective ways you can save money and become more energy efficient. In the summer when it’s hot, rather than turning on your energy-intensive AC to cool your house, consider using a whole house fan. Whole house fans use much less energy than AC, and they do a great job of expelling hot air and replacing it with cooler air, keeping your house cool and your budget safe.

5) Install solar panels.
With the rising costs affecting traditional forms of heating, such as gas, electricity, propane, consider switching to a cheaper, renewable source, like solar panels. While you may have to pay off the cost of solar panels over years, in the long run, it will make you more energy efficient, self-reliant, and will also increase the value of your home. While you can opt for standalone solar panels, you can also consider combination products, like attic fans powered with solar panels.

Here at WholeHouseFan.com, we have a wide selection of energy-saving products, including whole house fans, attic fans, garage exhaust fans, and more! Take a look, and feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. 1.888.229.5757

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