How to Save Money on Energy Bills in Your Tiny Home
Tiny homes are cozy and compact, and you’d think they’d also be efficient in energy, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Depending on where our home is located, your energy bills can be higher than you desire, especially during cold, dark winters. You can make some changes to save on your energy bills.
Add More Insulation
With only a few hundred square feet, a tiny home has less interior space to heat or cool. Yet, your ideal indoor temperature will be greatly influenced by outdoor conditions. You’ll want to keep excessive heat and freezing cold outside where it belongs, and insulation is the best way to do that.
It’s important to choose the right kind of insulation for your climate. Insulation is rated by R value, which refers to its ability to resist heat. The colder the climate, the higher the R value you will need. Ceilings, walls, and floors all need to be insulated.
Use More Natural Light
In a tiny home, you may not have room for floor lamps, pendant lights, or other popular lighting choices. While light bulbs are more energy efficient these days, you can save on your energy bills by letting outdoor light into your house. Natural light helps brighten your home without additional costs.
Shades or blinds, rather than curtains, are the best way to allow in full light yet still provide privacy. Blinds can let in light, but often need to stack up at the top or at the side, in the case of vertical blinds. Roll-up shades can virtually disappear at the top and expose the maximum amount of window.
Seal Air Leaks
Over time, the settling of your house and normal weathering can cause gaps in the frames of windows and doors. Caulking, sealing, and applying weather stripping can reseal those gaps and prevent air from leaking out.
Also check on other areas that may leak air, such as around exhaust vents and any pipes going in or out of your home. Inside the home, make sure wall outlets and switches aren’t leaking cold air. You can get foam gaskets to insulate these.
In a tiny house, it’s important to pay attention to details like heat and light use. Living small means living efficiently and keeping your use of natural resources to a minimum. Saving on your energy bills translates into contributing to a healthy environment.
Read this next: How to Improve the Mood in Your Tiny Home
