Energy conservation is a great thing for a pair of reasons: 1) energy conservation is good for the environment, and 2) it’s great for your pocketbook, too.
What are the easiest ways to conserve energy at home? Here’s a look at seven home energy conservation tips you can apply without much effort.
1. Replace Light Bulbs
If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, you’re throwing away money and using more energy than is necessary. Consider using one of these alternatives:
•LED lighting
•Compact fluorescent lights
•Halogen incandescent bulbs
These alternatives reduce energy consumption by up to 80%. As a bonus, each of these alternatives lasts at least twice as long as incandescent bulbs.
2. Invest in Efficient Appliances
When shopping for appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR seal. The ENERGY STAR seal means that appliances meet specific energy-conserving standards. You pay a premium for ENERGY STAR appliances, but they use up to 25% less energy than alternatives.
3. Lower Your Water Temperature
Hot water requires energy. If you can get by with water that’s slightly cooler, you can save both energy and money.
New water heaters are typically set to 140 degrees, but most people do fine with water that’s 120 degrees. Lowering your water heater temperature by 20 degrees can save $25-$50 annually.
4. Upgrade Your HVAC
HVAC manufacturers are always innovating and delivering new models that use less energy. If it’s been 10-plus years since your last replacement, you can save a lot of energy by upgrading.
Of course, the cost of HVAC replacement is often prohibitive. Watch for wintertime rebates and financing deals. Or, in the absence of a deal, see No. 5 for another way to save on heating and cooling.
5. Install a “Smart” Thermostat
Heating and cooling your home are energy-intensive activities. You can reduce energy used by modernizing your entire HVAC system, but you can also conserve by investing in a “smart” thermostat.
Smart thermostats adjust the temperature when you’re sleeping or when you leave the house. Installing one conserves energy and can save you $200 or more annually.
6. Add Some Insulation
When you cool your home in summer, you want to keep that cool air trapped inside. When you heat your home in winter, you want the same thing – to keep that hot air trapped inside.
That’s why you need insulation in your attic (and in other areas where conditioned air tends to escape). Insulation traps cool air inside your home in summer and hot air inside your home in winter.
7. Turn to Nature
When in doubt, turn to nature to conserve energy. Open windows on cool spring and fall days so you can turn off your air conditioner. Also, open drapes and blinds to let in more natural light – so you can turn off lamps and overhead lighting.
Need advice on creating a home that conserves energy? I’m always here to answer your real estate-related questions. Get in touch any time at pthessen1@gmail.com.
-submitted by Perry Thessen
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