9 Things to Do When You Have High Energy Bills In Colorado
Creating an energy efficient home has never been more important—especially when that dreaded moment arrives each month: opening your home energy bill. Why are these bills so intimidating? For many households, energy costs have doubled or even tripled over the years, putting serious strain on personal finances.
You might be wondering, “Why is my home energy bill so high?” The answer often lies in issues like poor insulation, outdated systems, and so-called “vampire” appliances that drain power even when not in use. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce waste and improve your home’s overall efficiency.
At Ascend Construction, we specialize in insulation solutions that help homeowners build more comfortable, cost-effective, and energy efficient living spaces. Our team is here to make lowering your monthly energy costs both achievable and sustainable.
Now that you know how we can help, let’s dive into what you can do to take control and transform your house into a truly energy-efficient home.
Professional Insulation Services That Pay Off: Lower your monthly energy bills with expert insulation from Ascend Construction. Schedule your consultation today!
Steps to Take When Your Fort Collins Energy Bill Is Too High
Contents
- Steps to Take When Your Fort Collins Energy Bill Is Too High
- 1. Seal All Leaks Around Your Home’s Windows & Doors
- 2. Use Insulation to Give Your Fort Collins Home an Air Seal
- 3. Have a Programmable Thermostat Installed
- 4. Lower Your Water Heater’s Temperature
- 5. Your Electronics Shouldn’t Be Left on Standby
- 6. Use Cold Water to Wash Your Clothes
- 7. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances & Light Bulbs
- 8. Run Your Appliances & Clean Them for Efficiency
- 9. You Cannot Control Extreme Weather
- Creating a Colorado Home That’s Energy-Efficient
- FAQs: Energy Bills & Efficient Home Tips for Colorado Homeowners
- Conclusion
- Upgrade Your Home’s Comfort with Ascend Construction’s Insulation Services in Fort Collins, CO
From washing your laundry in cold water to having a programmable thermostat put in, here are a few ways that you can make your life and living environment more efficient and get your energy costs down.
1. Seal All Leaks Around Your Home’s Windows & Doors
If you have air leaks at your doors and windows, meaning you have a poor thermal envelope, these are costing you quite a bit of cash. This issue can be resolved with spray foam. Insulation technicians can take the frames around your doors and windows out and then create seals that prevent air from seeping through.
The best insulation method for windows and doors to ensure that the cavity is full is to take the frames out. This process is also a lot easier. After the frame has been taken out by the technician, if there is old insulation remaining, they’ll take this out, too, and then apply spray foam at the gap.
Insulate Now, Save All Year: Keep your home comfortable through every season with Ascend Construction’s high-quality insulation solutions. Call us today!
2. Use Insulation to Give Your Fort Collins Home an Air Seal
If there are air leaks throughout your home, you probably have to update your insulation.
There are multiple options for insulating a home, including cellulose, fiberglass, and foam. You should choose the best insulation for your house based on your needs and preferences, so take a little time to do some research. Even better, talk to reputable insulation professionals in your area.
If you’re interested in giving your home an air seal, either in your attic or walls, foam insulation is going to be the best choice. Foam insulation has the ability to create an air seal that cellulose and fiberglass cannot.
3. Have a Programmable Thermostat Installed
Programmable thermostats work wonders in households that are struggling to lower their energy use. Simply adjusting your thermostat between seven to 10 degrees in either direction in winter or summer can cut your home heating and cooling costs by up to 10 percent, as reported by the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
In winter, the DOE suggests setting your home’s thermostat at just 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re awake and in the building. When you leave or when you go to sleep at night, it’s best to reduce your thermostat setting a bit more. In the summertime, try setting your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at home, and then raise this setting when you step out.
Programmable thermostats make it easy to schedule these temperature changes, and they eliminate the need to make adjustments before exiting.
Cut Down Energy Costs In Fort Collins: Ascend Construction helps you fight high energy bills with strategic insulation upgrades tailored to your home. Talk to us today!
4. Lower Your Water Heater’s Temperature
Without a doubt, your water heater is yet another factor that’s giving your home energy bills a boost. This is because water heaters are both used to store water and keep water warm.
Everyone loves standing under a steaming hot shower, but turning the temperature down just several degrees can lower your monthly energy costs. The ideal setting for your water heater temperature is 120 degrees.
Another helpful strategy is to turn your water heater off when going on vacation or leaving your home for an extended period of time.
5. Your Electronics Shouldn’t Be Left on Standby
They exist to suck energy.
This may sound overly dramatic, but your gaming system, tablet, personal computer, and countless other devices aren’t actually turning off – they are just sleeping.
While taking their naps, these devices receive updates, download new content, and use tons of energy. Over 10 percent of your monthly energy bill results from energy vampires like these, as reported by the U.S. DOE.
6. Use Cold Water to Wash Your Clothes
It might not seem like a huge amount of energy, but the amount that goes into washing a load of clothes is actually quite large. Simply adjusting the temperature of your wash can make a difference.
It takes a lot of effort on the part of your water heater to supply your washing machine with warm water. This uses a lot of energy all by itself. When you wash your clothes in cold water, you’re reducing the amount of energy it takes to do a load.
7. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances & Light Bulbs
Were you aware that about one-third of the electricity used in your home each month is for your lights and that appliances like your oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes dryer, and washing machine account for approximately 13%?
LEDs, CFLs, and other energy-efficient bulbs can cut between $30 and $75 from your home energy bill. These light bulbs also last between 10 and 25 times longer than standard light bulbs.
Energy Star-rated appliances are on deck next. These are energy-efficient appliances that will help you save even more cash. If your appliances are ready to be replaced, do yourself a favor and shop for options that have the Energy Star Rating.
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8. Run Your Appliances & Clean Them for Efficiency
Even when you have Energy Star-rated appliances in your home, if these aren’t run correctly and kept clean, they can cost you quite a bit. Everyone does it – we all forget to clean out lint traps and change the furnace and AC air filters from time to time. However, when you’re trying to reduce your energy spending, you have to remember to maintain your appliances so that they run efficiently all the time.
9. You Cannot Control Extreme Weather
The one thing that you’re completely unable to control in terms of your home energy costs is the weather. Half of your home energy bill can be attributed to your heater and air conditioner. If there’s a major heat wave or a cold snap rolling through, there really isn’t much that you can do. Try to keep your thermostat set at 78 degrees during the summer months and about 68 degrees during the cold season, and then choose your clothing accordingly.
Creating a Colorado Home That’s Energy-Efficient
Increasing the efficiency of your home will lower your monthly energy costs. The tips above are a great way to get started on improving your home’s energy efficiency. Think of all that you can accomplish with the money that you’ll save from month to month. Maybe now is a good time to start planning for a long-awaited vacation.
Spray Foam, Fiberglass, Cellulose — We’ve Got You Covered: Ascend Construction installs all major insulation types for optimal performance. Reach out to our experts today!
FAQs: Energy Bills & Efficient Home Tips for Colorado Homeowners
What Is a Thermal Envelope and Why Does It Matter?
Your home’s thermal envelope includes everything that separates the interior from the outside—walls, windows, doors, roof, and insulation. A weak envelope lets conditioned air escape, forcing HVAC systems to work harder and raising energy bills. Improving it with proper insulation and sealing makes your home more energy-efficient.
How Can Insulation Help During Summer Months?
Insulation isn’t just for winter. It also keeps hot air out and cool air in during summer. This reduces your reliance on air conditioning, lowering energy usage while maintaining indoor comfort during heat waves.
Are Certain Insulation Types Better for Colorado Homes?
Yes. Colorado’s variable climate means homes benefit from insulation that offers both air sealing and thermal resistance. Spray foam is ideal for sealing leaks, while blown-in cellulose or fiberglass can provide excellent coverage in attics and walls.
Get The Air Seal Your Home Needs: With Ascend Construction, eliminate air leaks and drafty rooms once and for all. Call us today!
How Do I Know If My Insulation Is Outdated?
Signs of outdated insulation include uneven room temperatures, high energy bills, drafty areas, and visible gaps in your attic or crawl space. A home energy audit or inspection can confirm whether it’s time for an upgrade.
Can New Insulation Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Absolutely. By sealing leaks and gaps, insulation keeps out dust, allergens, and pollutants. It also helps regulate humidity levels, which can reduce mold growth and improve respiratory health.
What’s the ROI on Home Insulation in Colorado?
Insulation is one of the most cost-effective upgrades. Homeowners in Colorado often see energy bill reductions of 10–30% depending on the home’s original efficiency, making it a smart long-term investment.
Conclusion
Building an energy-efficient home doesn’t require a complete overhaul—it starts with small, intentional changes that add up over time. From sealing leaks and upgrading insulation to adjusting your thermostat and using cold water for laundry, each step can significantly lower your monthly energy bills.
By understanding where your energy is going and making smarter choices, you can take control of your home’s efficiency, enjoy a more comfortable living environment, and keep more money in your pocket year-round.
The Comfort You Deserve, The Savings You Want: Trust Ascend Construction for insulation work that delivers year-round benefits. Contact us today!
Upgrade Your Home’s Comfort with Ascend Construction’s Insulation Services in Fort Collins, CO
When it comes to creating an energy-efficient home, having the right insulation partner makes all the difference. Ascend Construction is Fort Collins’ go-to expert for professional insulation removal and installation, air sealing, whole-house fan systems, energy audits, and tailored energy-saving solutions.
With a commitment to exceptional workmanship and long-term value, we help homeowners improve indoor comfort, lower energy costs, and enhance the overall performance of their homes.
Ready to upgrade your home’s performance? Contact Ascend Construction today to get started!
Contact Ascend Construction for a free consultation today. We can provide you with practical solutions to address the problem areas in your Fort Collins home. All of our services are affordable, and our work is guaranteed. Click here to contact us, or click the button below to give Ascend Construction a call. We offer no-obligation, in-home consultations.
Ascend Construction
4115 County Road 19
Fort Collins, CO, 80524
(970) 420-5495
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