You can save money by making your home energy efficient. You can also help conserve natural resources. Most people are willing to practice energy efficiency. The problem is that it is hard to know which steps actually matter.
First and foremost, a lot of cooling and heating costs are wasted by drafts at doors and windows. In addition to higher energy costs, such drafts also allow more dust and pollen into the home. Applying weather stripping can help all of these issues. Even if you have weather stripping, you may need to replace it. It may have decayed over the years, or it may be of a type that is not very efficient. And if you truly cannot weather strip, at least try to block off the drafts as best you can. Heavy drapes, preferably insulated, at all windows and the patio door will help, as will draft blockers such as the bean-bag snakes at the bottom of outside doors.
Fluorescent bulbs cost more than standard bulbs. However, they are actually a good investment. They not only consume less energy, but they last longer. Replacing your bulbs with them will save you money over a period of time.
Check the setting on your water heater. In most homes, this is set too high. Tap water does not need to be scalding hot, and this is not desirable in homes with small children. Having the water heater set too high wastes energy in more than one way. First, there is the energy required to heat the water. Then there is the need to use more cold water to bring the temperature down to a comfortable level for showers and baths.
Most older homes have inadequate insulation in their attics. Newer types of insulation are much more energy efficient than the types commonly used even two or three decades ago. Check both the type of insulation and how much there is. If needed, replace it or add to it.
Install a timer on your thermostat. These can adjust the temperature when you are not home, such as during the workday or when you go on vacation. Then, at just the right time, the thermostat is adjusted again so that the temperature is comfortable when you return.
But your energy consumption habits are also important. Turn off the light when you leave the room or go out for the day. Run the dishwasher when it is full, and use the proper water level when washing small loads of clothes. Do not keep a deep freeze operating with only two or three items in it, since they are more inefficient when they are not full. Move or use the items. Few foods actually need you to preheat the oven, so eliminate that task unless preparing something that absolutely requires it. And adjust yourself rather than the thermostat if you are uncomfortable. If you are too cold, try donning a sweater or socks. If you are too hot, turn on a ceiling fan or stand fan for better cooling and circulation.
Making your home energy efficient will not only save you money, it will help save our natural resources.
First and foremost, a lot of cooling and heating costs are wasted by drafts at doors and windows. In addition to higher energy costs, such drafts also allow more dust and pollen into the home. Applying weather stripping can help all of these issues. Even if you have weather stripping, you may need to replace it. It may have decayed over the years, or it may be of a type that is not very efficient. And if you truly cannot weather strip, at least try to block off the drafts as best you can. Heavy drapes, preferably insulated, at all windows and the patio door will help, as will draft blockers such as the bean-bag snakes at the bottom of outside doors.
Fluorescent bulbs cost more than standard bulbs. However, they are actually a good investment. They not only consume less energy, but they last longer. Replacing your bulbs with them will save you money over a period of time.
Check the setting on your water heater. In most homes, this is set too high. Tap water does not need to be scalding hot, and this is not desirable in homes with small children. Having the water heater set too high wastes energy in more than one way. First, there is the energy required to heat the water. Then there is the need to use more cold water to bring the temperature down to a comfortable level for showers and baths.
Most older homes have inadequate insulation in their attics. Newer types of insulation are much more energy efficient than the types commonly used even two or three decades ago. Check both the type of insulation and how much there is. If needed, replace it or add to it.
Install a timer on your thermostat. These can adjust the temperature when you are not home, such as during the workday or when you go on vacation. Then, at just the right time, the thermostat is adjusted again so that the temperature is comfortable when you return.
But your energy consumption habits are also important. Turn off the light when you leave the room or go out for the day. Run the dishwasher when it is full, and use the proper water level when washing small loads of clothes. Do not keep a deep freeze operating with only two or three items in it, since they are more inefficient when they are not full. Move or use the items. Few foods actually need you to preheat the oven, so eliminate that task unless preparing something that absolutely requires it. And adjust yourself rather than the thermostat if you are uncomfortable. If you are too cold, try donning a sweater or socks. If you are too hot, turn on a ceiling fan or stand fan for better cooling and circulation.
Making your home energy efficient will not only save you money, it will help save our natural resources.
About the Author:
With the way that the economy is these days everybody wants to save money, by Making Your Home Energy Efficient, you will not only save money but you will be helping to keep our earth green, find out how you can do this at the authors site which is full of many types of Home Improvements.
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