Home Tips: Reduce Your Home Energy Costs
Who is not worried by the ever rising cost of energy? Here are just some ideas of what you might be able to do to make your property more energy and cost efficient:
Keeping the roof in great repair
Installing insulation in walls, floors, and attics
Reducing air infiltration
Minimizing air pressure imbalances
Sealing and repairing ducts
Cleaning and vacuuming
Tuning and repairing heating and cooling units
Installing energy efficient appliances (removing older inefficient ones)
These methods help to effectively do TWO things:
- Cut home energy consumption
- Lower energy bills.
Regardless of whether you are driven by the looming energy crisis and ever-rising costs of energy or more personal reasons, convictions or incentive, achieving cost and energy efficient homes (aside from building new – not an option for all of us!), are little changes, adjustment, repairs and installations, maintenance and adaptability, to save dollars and energy effectively!
You can find ways to incorporate alternative energy sources and technologies in and around your home.
Here are some of the newer features custom-built into properties, optimizing cost-effectiveness of architectural designs. If you are renovating consider your options carefully, like skylights, new windows, roof etc.
- Design, open-plan, lots of windows and glass for better air circulation, natural light (less requirement and demand for light, electricity and energy).
- Sealed Double Glazed Glass windows with thermal insulation to keep drafts and chill out, cool in hotter climates and months.
- Insulation that will improve in-door living conditions, comfort and decrease heating/cooling costs year-round.
- Sturdy and insulated walls, floors, moisture resistant,
- Low-maintenance quality roofing and solar options.
cost/low-cost steps you can take to save energy
Water-heater temperature: Especially if you have kids in the home, turn the warmer setting down to the recommended 120 degrees F (safe and saves money!).
Cover water-beds as they will be insulated that way.
All major appliances have some energy settings (dishwasher, refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers) – utilize them.
Use compact fluorescents (CFLs) and low energy bulb replacements to cut down on electricity consumption and waste.
Upgrade old energy-guzzlers in your property (dishwasher, refrigerators, stove, furnace, A/C and others). Look for the energy efficient symbols and endorsements.
Clean or replace heat-pump filters,furnace and air conditioner.
Water-heater blanket, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators to reduce consumption and waste.
Seal, caulk and repair all leaks, holes and drafts (walls, doors, windows, floors, corners, cracks and crevices, basement, garage etc.)
Heating and cooling systems, duct work checked, repaired and/or replaced as necessary.
Actually track and check your consumption/waste. You will or might be pleasantly surprised at what you will typically find. Go back 6 months to a year and look at your bills. Split them into what you were chargedfor fuel/gas and electricity, utilities water/sewage)
See where and when, why the most/highest bills/costs are and try to find ways to reduce, save and decrease consumption during those periods.
Check all insulation, also on hot water pipes and ducts, through unheated areas specifically.
Air-leaks and drafts, gaps around chimneys, recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
Use your thermostat to control temperature up/down a degree or two when it matters most (at night) to be more efficient and aware. Before long this will turn into second nature and some great new habits.
Educate and empower yourself, your children, your family and friends. Spread the word about cost and energy savings, raise awareness, advocate and value the contribution(s) you are making, no matter how large or little you might think them to be.
And another way to reduce costs is to do your own tiling projects. Discover more
laying tile
installing tile
laying ceramic tile
