1. Cooling & Heating your home is usually by far the largest expense when it comes to your energy costs. Have your system(s) checked in the spring and fall to make sure they are running at peak efficency. Consider replacing your system if it is getting older. An old inefficient system may be costing you an arm and a leg to operate.
Consider adjusting your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer. You will save an average of 3% for every degree you set your thermostat above or below 73 degrees!
2. Cover your windows: Rays from the sun may be inviting in the winter, but they cause alot of heat gain during the summer months which can cost you extra on your cooling bill. In the summer, keep your curtains and shades drawn during the day. Plant deciduous trees/plants at the south side of your house so that they shade your house in summer but allow for direct solar heating in winter. If your windows are old and have air leaks, consider replacing them.
3. Check for and seal any cracks or gaps: Experts estimate that all of the tiny gaps and cracks in an older home are roughly equivalent to a one-foot square hole punched in your wall. Sealing any cracks or gaps with caulking and weather-stripping can greatly improve energy efficiency. First, you should test your home for air tightness. On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick next to your windows, doors, etc. Observe the smoke to see if a draft is present. After youve sealed the gaps, think about adding some insulation to your floor, ceiling or walls. A bit of modern insulation can often work wonders for older houses.
4. Add insulation to your hot-water pipes: Since the standard hot water heater is on all the time, adding extra insulation to the hot water pipes will save more energy than you think. Not only will you save money on your energy bill, you wont have to wait as long for hot water at each tap, especially if the pipes run through an unconditioned space. Most hardware stores sell pre-made insulation made just for this purpose. Experts estimate that adding insulation to any exposed hot water pipes can knock up to 15 percent off the costs of heating water. Adding extra insulation around the tank is usually not required, and could become a fire hazard if your not careful. Caution: Be sure to read all manufacturers instructions before taking this step.
5. Install a programmable thermostat: Complete control over your air conditioning and heating systems adds greater comfort as well as allowing you to save some "major bucks" on your energy costs! If you have a heat pump, make sure that the model you choose avoids turning on your systems "auxillary heat" during the recovery period. Auxillary heat uses an average of at least twice the energy than a heat pump does while running alone. RepairMax carries a complete line of Honeywell programmable thermostats for any budget.
6. Discontinue the use of your second refrigerator. Old beer fridge in the basement? Unplug it and make the trek upstairs to your new, energy-efficient fridge in the kitchen. It will be good for your heart -- and your energy bill.
7. Install low-flow showerheads: Your shower accounts for about 30 - 40 percent of your hot water use. In addition to this, install aerators on your kitchen and bathroom taps. These two measures can reduce your water usage by as much as 50 percent. The water-saving shower heads provide an adjustable restriction at the shower tap, allowing for a hard spraying water massage!
8. New Appliances. Choose carefully. Look for the Energystar Rating. If your going to use a new appliance for the next say 15 years, dont you think it would be wise to get one that uses much less energy even if it means paying more for it now? Think about it.
9. Lower the temperature of your water heater. Heating cold water is very energy intensive � and also a great place to save energy. Although you need to keep your water heater set high enough to meet your needs, it should not be set high enough to cause scalding. 110 Degrees usually does the trick. Be sure to let an expert make the adjustment if your not sure. Experts also recommend draining a pint or so of water from your water heater a few times a year to reduce sediment and increase efficiency. Remember: Insulating hot water pipes will usually allow you to lower the temperature without sacrificing quantity. ( See tip #4 above).
10. Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights: Compact fluorescent light bulbs use only about a third as much electricity as standard incandescents. Because Fluorescent lighting gives off much less heat than a standard bulb, you will also save money on your cooling bill. According to some experts, if you substitute compact fluorescent bulbs for a quarter of the incandescents used in high-use areas, you can cut the amount of electricity you use on lighting by half.
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