Insulation – Be sure your home is adequately insulated. Adding insulation to attic areas is usually pretty easy. Other areas, such as outside walls, provide a more challenging project if extra insulation is needed.
Seals – Check the seals around windows, doors, electrical outlets or any other potential sources for escaping air. Seal these areas using a good quality caulk, and be sure to re-examine your handiwork every few years.
Weather Stripping – Inside your home, weather stripping around moving parts of windows and doors can help seal off potential areas of leakage or drafts. Storm Systems – Storm doors and windows can provide additional energy savings by preventing air loss and by creating an insulating layer of air.
Programmable Thermostat – With a programmable thermostat, you can program winter temperature at 65º at night, then back to 72º during the day. This simple program can save up to 15% on heating bills. If you need your furnace professionally serviced or inspected, call Heat Relief Heating & Cooling. We service and maintain all makes and models of air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps.
Showerheads – New showerheads use a maximum of 2.5 gallons per minute, which saves you water and energy. By replacing your older showerhead, an average family of four can save from $60 (gas) to $150 (electric). The amount of water saved is about 15,000 gallons!
Toilet Leaks – You should occasionally check your toilets for leaks. Just place a few drops of food coloring in the tank (NOT the bowl). You can also use a few tablespoons of instant coffee or Kool-Aid. In thirty minutes, if the water in the bowl is colored, the tank is leaking and the stopper and valve seal may need to be replaced.
Insulating Ductwork and Pipes – Insulating pipes and ducts that run through unheated space will result in a significant savings in your energy bill. Heat escapes from bare hot-water pipes causing the water sitting in those pipes to cool down between uses. This results in running extra water from the faucet to get hot water. Wrapping these pipes will save you money. Wrapping cold water lines won’t save you energy dollars, but will eliminate dripping and sweating from condensation, avoiding water spots.
Water Savings – Just do it! Fix those dripping faucets. Turn the faucet off when you are not using the water. Yes, even when you are still standing there and will be using it again shortly. Did you know that showers cost less than baths? You will also use less water if you install energy efficient showerheads.
Dishwashers and Washing Machines – Don’t wash away your money with the dishes. Always run your dishwasher full. You may live in an area where it is more economical to run it during non-peak hours or in the evening. Ditto for the washing machine! Always run it full. The biggest laundry expense is heating the water.
Water Heater – Turn down the temperature on your water heater. If you set the temperature at 120° F or below, you will save about 4% of your energy cost per 10° that you lower your thermostat. When you go on vacation, use the “vacation setting” on your water heater if available.
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