As everybody knows, saving energy at home is a great way to save money on your monthly energy bills, However, it’s also a good way to do your part to protect the environment. And the way it works out, in many cases, the steps you take to save energy and help the environment also will make your home feel more comfortable. Saving energy in your home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Try these steps and you’ll be well on your way to saving on your utility bills, helping the earth, and having a more comfortable home.
Add Insulation and Seal Air Leaks
When your home becomes more airtight, and does a better job of keeping heat outside in the summer and inside in the winter – the purposes of air sealing and insulating, respectively – you’ll have a more comfortable home that saves energy over the long term.
Use Less Hot Water
Did you know that heating water uses on average 15 percent of a household’s energy consumption? Reduce your hot water usage by limiting shower or bath time and reducing the temperature of your water to 120 degrees. This is plenty hot enough for household hot water needs. When prepping dishes for the dishwasher, there’s no need to rinse in hot water before loading; they will come out clean regardless. If you own an older water heater, review new options available, including tankless heaters, hybrid electric/heat-pumps and solar water heaters.
Use Thermostat Wisely
If you don’t have a programmable thermostat yet, get one, it will save you energy and money by alleviating the possibility of forgetting to adjust the temperature. They are not just for winter; you can also save on energy costs by upping your standard temperature during warmer months by a few degrees. You can save up to 2 percent per degree adjustment if this is done consistently. Program your thermostat for saving energy while you’re gone or asleep, and to return to a comfortable temperature before you come home or awaken.
Change Out Incandescents
Incandescent light bulbs are slowly being phased out in favor of using CFL or LED bulbs. These energy-efficient bulbs could put $100 per year back in your pocket. Prices continue to fall, so if you haven’t made the switch, now’s the time to consider changing out your light bulbs for LED lighting.
For more expert tips on saving energy, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning, serving Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties for more than 30 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy savings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area