Eight ways to make your home more electrically efficient!!
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American family spends $1,291 on home energy every year, with families in the Northeast spending roughly $1,599. As energy costs increase, it is becoming more and more important to make your home as electrically efficient as it can be. There are many simple ways to increase energy efficiency that will not only save money, but will also help protect the health of your family and the environment. Below are eight easy tips to help keep your energy usage at a minimum.
1. Home energy audits are an effective way to discover the areas within your home that use the most energy. With this information, you can decide the best way to manage and reduce use. Audits can be done on several levels, including conducting a simple one yourself, through your utility company, or through an independent energy auditor. If doing this on your own, you should check insulation levels, holes or cracks around doors and fixtures, lighting needs, and maintenance of appliances, heating, and cooling systems. There are often tax incentives for homeowners who have an energy audit performed on their home through state organizations such as the New York State Research & Development Authority and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund.
2. It is very important to weatherize your home to prepare for the changes in season. Caulk and weather-strip all doors and windows that can release air. Furnace filters should be replaced regularly and thermostat settings should be set as low as comfortable. Try to cut back on heating at night and raise it in the morning when you wake up. These efforts will keep your pollution output and energy bill low.
3. Water heating is an aspect of energy efficiency that is often overlooked, but it can become expensive if ignored. Beyond being conscious of your daily water usage, it is important to repair leaky faucets or low-flow showerheads to reduce the amount of water being used. Insulating hot water storage tanks and removing sediment from the water tank will help increase the efficiency of your water heater. If you decide to purchase a new water heater, make sure to pay attention to EnergyGuide labels.
4. Lighting costs are the easiest way to increase energy efficiency by simply making an effort to turn off lights in rooms that are not being used. It also helps to use task lighting, which focuses the light where you need it, instead of throughout an entire room. Compact fluorescent lamps last much longer than incandescent bulbs and are much more efficient.
5. Insulation keeps your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation is measured in “R-values”, a higher value means your walls and roof do a better job of resisting heat transfer. By checking, and improving, the “R-value” of your attic, ceilings, walls, floors, and crawl spaces, energy efficiency is increased.
6. Appliances should only be used when necessary and turned off when not in use. Try to air dry dishes when possible and only run a dishwasher when there is a full load. This tip also applies to washing machines and dryers. Always wash full loads and switch the temperature from hot to warm, which can cut energy use in half. When drying clothes make sure to clean the lint filter after every load to improve circulation of air. Make sure your computer and monitor are turned off when you are not using them and make use of power strips. Vacuuming the coils of refrigerator will cut down on the high consumption of energy as well as keep it running at its most energy-efficient level. When cooking and heating smaller amounts of food, try to use a microwave or toaster oven.
7. Windows play a big role in letting energy escape from the home, but this can be fixed by replacing single-pane windows with the newer double-pane windows. Storm windows can also reduce heat loss by 50%. In cold climates, windows that are gas filled with low-emissivity coatings can reduce heat loss. It also helps to close curtains and shades at night and open them during the day.
8. Renewable Energy is an approach to energy efficiency that may require a few changes around your house. Take advantage of solar energy and also try to buy electricity generated by renewable sources. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, energy efficiency can be increased by using solar pool heating systems.
Achieving energy efficiency may take some time to get used to, but it is an easy way to become environmentally responsible while also reducing bills. As utility costs rise, the impact it has on American families is tremendous. By paying attention to the tips provided and incorporating energy efficiency into your everyday life, you will help decrease the energy strain on the environment.
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