Thursday 17 July 2014

How to Save $$$...Despite Rising Energy Costs

Has the air conditioning been saving you from the heat but draining your wallet all at the same time? Keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer is somewhat of a necessity here in London, Ontario. We are all looking for ways to save money, especially when it comes to our homes, but with utility costs seemingly always on the rise, are there any alternatives?

According to some reports, the most recent rise in hydro costs for Ontario will see an increase of $2.83 more a month for the average home, which means small businesses and homeowners alike will be feeling the pinch. While this may seems like pennies, it all adds up. The OEB evaluates electricity prices twice and year, and the trend is that utility costs are always on the rise.

The Ontario Energy Board’s list of the current energy prices shows when we can save money, namely by using electricity on the weekends or off-peak hours. But, if you're not the kind of person who likes to live by the clock and do their laundry in the middle of the night, you may want to consider some alternative energy sources.

Some homeowners are looking for alternatives, including retrofitting their homes to be more conservative with their energies. London, ON also has companies like The Solar Store, who are suppliers and contractors for solar installations. They also provide affordable energy audits to help identify ways to improve your home’s energy conservation. Not only do these retrofits have the ability to save money, they also make your home more comfortable and are better for the environment. Retrofitting homes seems like it may be the way of the future. Clean energy and lower utility costs? Doesn't sound like such a bad idea!

I work for Royal LePage Triland Realty and have been helping clients buy and sell homes in London, ON for over 12 years. If you are looking for a Realtor who is dedicated to customer service, get in touch with me today or learn more at www.homesforlife.ca.