Energy is getting to be very expensive, and all of us are are undoubtedly feeling the crunch. One of the most common places you can begin to save money on energy is in your home. No home is 100% energy efficient, so every small correction will make a difference!
Wasted energy = wasted money.
There are hundreds of inexpensive things you could do to reduce the cost of running your home. Depending on the age and the location of your home, corrections can actually reduce your power consumption by more than half .. and that equates to a LOT of money at the end of the month.
First, you need to audit your home. An audit is a survey that analyzes your home’s structure, appliances and insulation, as well as your family’s lifestyle.
Many utility companies offer free energy audits to their customers, which provide a personalized report detailing specific ways to save energy throughout your home. Ask your utilities if a similar program is available, or just do it yourself, as follows:
Check for things such as:
Then decide where you are wasting the most energy and money. Usually, heating water and the air accounts for the largest part of the energy bill (air conditioning in warmer climates). But this all depends on your house.
Many corrections you can do yourself, but other corrections you may need to hire contractors for. These are some things you’ll need to deal with:
Insulation and Air leaks
You will definitely want to spend time checking for this if your home was built more than 20 years ago. Many homes built then are not well insulated. Most of the heat in your house escapes through holes in the floors, walls and ceiling, and through plumbing penetrations and electrical outlets. Sealing cracks and holes with flexible silicone, and installing foam gaskets under outlet plates are great places to start. Also check for deteriorated insulation in the attic, and replace or add as necessary!
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling water and air takes an incredible amount of energy. Maintaining the correct temperature for your home is easier if you request less of a difference. For this reason, set your thermostat between 65-70F in winter and 73-77F in summer. And make sure you make the most of the energy you ARE using by insulating the HVAC and hot water system properly, taking short showers instead of baths, and turning down the thermostat when you aren’t home (Our telephone controller makes this easy!).
Windows
In older houses, single-pane windows are common, and a lot of heat can escape through them. Replace any old inefficient windows with new ones that can trap heat. Or search the internet for “window coverings” or “window sealers”. You can also install an automatic blind controller to automatically let sun in during the day and keep cold out at night.
Wasted energy = wasted money.
There are hundreds of inexpensive things you could do to reduce the cost of running your home. Depending on the age and the location of your home, corrections can actually reduce your power consumption by more than half .. and that equates to a LOT of money at the end of the month.
First, you need to audit your home. An audit is a survey that analyzes your home’s structure, appliances and insulation, as well as your family’s lifestyle.
Many utility companies offer free energy audits to their customers, which provide a personalized report detailing specific ways to save energy throughout your home. Ask your utilities if a similar program is available, or just do it yourself, as follows:
Check for things such as:
- exterior holes and leaks
- interior drafts and breezes
- open/leaking fireplace dampers
- Lack of energystar rated appliances
- Proper temperature setpoint for water heater/boiler
- Properly programmed electronic thermostats
- Dirty furnace filters
- Proper insulation levels in attic and walls
Then decide where you are wasting the most energy and money. Usually, heating water and the air accounts for the largest part of the energy bill (air conditioning in warmer climates). But this all depends on your house.
Many corrections you can do yourself, but other corrections you may need to hire contractors for. These are some things you’ll need to deal with:
Insulation and Air leaks
You will definitely want to spend time checking for this if your home was built more than 20 years ago. Many homes built then are not well insulated. Most of the heat in your house escapes through holes in the floors, walls and ceiling, and through plumbing penetrations and electrical outlets. Sealing cracks and holes with flexible silicone, and installing foam gaskets under outlet plates are great places to start. Also check for deteriorated insulation in the attic, and replace or add as necessary!
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling water and air takes an incredible amount of energy. Maintaining the correct temperature for your home is easier if you request less of a difference. For this reason, set your thermostat between 65-70F in winter and 73-77F in summer. And make sure you make the most of the energy you ARE using by insulating the HVAC and hot water system properly, taking short showers instead of baths, and turning down the thermostat when you aren’t home (Our telephone controller makes this easy!).
Windows
In older houses, single-pane windows are common, and a lot of heat can escape through them. Replace any old inefficient windows with new ones that can trap heat. Or search the internet for “window coverings” or “window sealers”. You can also install an automatic blind controller to automatically let sun in during the day and keep cold out at night.