Save Energy, Save Money - Energy Saving Tips for your Home

Thermal Imaging shows how energy efficient your home is

Becoming more energy efficient isn't just for those of us who want to save the environment. Being energy efficient can really help your wallet. Maintaining your house is a big investment, and your energy bills can be among your greatest monthly expenses. When we waste energy in our homes, we are throwing away money that could be used for other things. But there are many things you can do in your home that will reduce energy usage. An energy-efficient home will keep your family comfortable while saving you money.

Whether it's something as big as installing solar panels, or something as small as turning off the lights, when you cut back on how much energy you use, you save money. Some energy-efficient changes are one-time investments...others are things you can do every day! Even if you only implement two or three of these changes you will be saving energy, money, and Mother Nature too.

Some steps are simple to take. Others require more effort and investment, but promise big savings over the years. Those savings will typically pay for the cost of improvements and put money back in your pocket. Your home may also be more attractive to buyers when you sell.

HEATING

The majority of us have centrally heated homes and the way most systems are regulated is by the use of a thermostat. Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently. Set the times and temperatures to match your schedule. By turning down your thermostat just one degree you could save money on your gas bill and really wouldn’t notice any difference in the warmth of your home.  

Dress warmly when indoors. Lower your thermostat by two degrees. You could save as much as four percent on your heating bill. Turn off heat in unused rooms and shut the doors. If you go on vacation for a while, turn the heat down to save energy. Keep the heat in the house by closing the curtains. Believe it or not, even this can make a difference. Install a furnace alarm. 

This will tell you when to change filters. Just changing dirty filters on your furnace could save you five percent on your heating bill. Adding a humidifier to your heating system lets you turn the thermostat down and be comfortable at lower temperatures. Aquariums and houseplants add humidity, too.

Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fan. For those cold, winter months, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction, helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room. In the summer, the blades should operate in a counter clockwise direction as a way of creating a nice, gentle wind.

Check to see that windows and doors are closed when heating or cooling your home.

INSULATION

Heat escapes from different parts of a building, rising through the roof, going through glass windows and even simply radiating through walls. If you don’t have a well insulated home you will more than likely be wasting energy through heat loss. Check doors for proper insulation. Place your hand against a door from the inside. If it feels cooler than the inside walls, it might be time to install a door that’s better insulated.

Adding new or additional insulation to your ceilings, attic and walls will prevent cold drafts and air leaks to keep warm air inside during the freezing winter (or in summer keeps the cool air from A/C inside your home).

Your windows are a major source of heat loss in a home. Replace Aluminum Frames. Aluminum window frames let heat transfer very easily. Vinyl frames are much more resistant to heat transfer. Double or triple paned argon gas-filled windows are great for keeping the heat in and the cold out. While you may not think that tinted windows on the front of your house looks very attractive, you can always do it to the back windows. It's surprising how much unwanted heat and cold you can keep out by having tinted windows.

Open the blinds and let some sun in. Lighting your house with sunlight is 100% FREE!

Don’t lose heated air up your chimney! The chimney acts like an open window. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.

STANDBY

Most people think that standby mode is an energy saving way to use various types of equipment ranging from TVs to computers. In essence it does cut down on energy use but standby modes still use power to keep a device ‘ticking over’ so that it is ready for when you want to use it again. It’s just as easy to simply turn things off when they are not in use.  

SHOWERS

Having a shower instead of a bath means you will use on average about half the amount of water. Not only is water a precious resource in many parts of the world but heating it adds cost to your energy bills so the less you use, the more you save. So, take short showers instead of baths and use low-flow showerheads for additional energy savings. It will pay for itself in no time.

MAINTENANCE

Having equipment that is working to its maximum levels can result in more efficient energy usage. A boiler may need Heat Exchange Repair or radiators may simply need to be bled of excess air occasionally for things to run at optimal levels.

AIR CONDITIONING

Increase your air conditioner temperature by one degree. Believe it or not, it could mean significant savings over the long run. When it’s cool outside, open the windows and turn off the air. If you’re going to be away from your home for a long time, say, on vacation or a long weekend, turn the temperature up. Or better yet, turn the air conditioning unit off. Replace air filters every month. Clogged filters mean your A/C works harder. Buy the proper-sized equipment to meet your family’s needs. An oversized A/C unit will waste energy.

HOT WATER

Check your hot water temperature. 140° is sufficient for washing dishes and clothes. Insulate your water heater and its pipes. Your water will stay hotter longer. Avoid washing dishes in hot running water. Fill the sink halfway, and then scrub away. Repair dripping hot water taps immediately. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.

LAUNDRY

Wash full loads. You’ll use the machine less, save time and save energy. Wash at a lower temperature. Use the spin cycle, and then hang dry your clothes and sheets. Use your dryer for consecutive loads. The built-up heat means less energy spent. Air dry clothes.

COOKING

Microwaves use substantially less energy than ovens. Use one when cooking and reheating items.

FRIDGE AND FREEZER

Defrost your fridge regularly. When ice builds up, your freezer uses more electricity. If it frosts up again quickly, check that the door seals are strong and intact. Keep your fridge at least three quarters full for maximum efficiency.

LIGHTNING

Use energy-saving lightbulbs that can last up to ten times longer than a normal bulb and use significantly less energy. A single 20- to 25-watt energy-saving bulb provides as much light as a 100-watt ordinary bulb.

INSTALL MOTION SENSORS ON EXTERNAL LIGHTS

Use only one bulb for light fittings with more than one lightbulb or replace additional bulbs with a lower wattage version.

ADD SOLAR PANELS

Adding solar panels to your house can help you cut down on energy costs by helping you produce a little bit of your own electricity.

When buying or building a new house, you should consider your energy efficiency options early in the process.

Try these easy, low-cost or no-cost energy saving tips and see how easy it is to save energy and money. Having an energy efficient home may also be more attractive to buyers when you sell. 

If you are thinking about selling your property now or in the near future, please contact me for a free consultation. I can provide you with exceptional services and market your home, condo or commercial building to its fullest potential. I have been selling both residential and commercial real estate in Durham Region for over 20 years. So contact me today! 

Randy Miller
Sales Representative
Re/Max Rouge River Realty Ltd., Brokerage
905-668-1800 or 905-427-1400
randy@randymiller.ca
www.randymiller.ca