22
Mar
April 22nd is Earth Day – Celebrate with These Top 10 Home Energy Efficiency Tips
With summer just around the corner, remember that energy efficiency can keep you cool while saving money and preserving the earth’s energy resources.
The average U.S. household will spend about $2,100 on home energy this year, based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy. But taking advantage of some of these tips can help cut your costs.
- Wash clothes in cold water to save $63 a year.
- Install a programmable thermostat to save up to 10% on cooling and heating costs.
- Use your window shades. Close blinds on the sunny side in summer to keep out the hot sun, and open them in winter to bring in warm rays.
- Turn off all lights, appliances and electronics not in use. A power strip can help turn off multiple items at once. (Sometimes the simplest things are really effective!)
- Change to new and improved light bulbs. Reduce energy use from about a third to as much as 80% with today’s increasing number of energy-efficient halogen incandescent light bulbs, CFLs and LEDs.
- Look for the Energy Star label, the government’s symbol of energy efficiency, on a wide range of consumer products to save up to 30% on related electricity bills.
- Use low-flow faucets and shower heads to save on water bills.
- Clean or change filters regularly. A dirty furnace or A/C filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool.
- Reduce water heater temperature to 130° F to save energy and money on heating water; and wrap the water storage tank in a specially-designed “blanket” to retain the heat.
- Seal air leaks and properly insulate to save up to 20% on heating and cooling bills, while also increasing home comfort.