Practical Ways to Save on Energy Consumption
Here is a little checklist that you can use to help save money on energy costs.
- In colder seasons, turn down your thermostat slightly; every degree can save up to 5% in heating costs
- During hot sunny weather, close curtains and blinds to keep the house cool and reduce the need for fans or air conditioning. The same applies during cold weather to reduce drafts and save on heating costs.
- Clean or replace furnace air filters once a month. Not only will this improve efficiency, but it will also help allergy sufferers.
- Ensure floor registers and baseboard heaters are not blocked b furniture, carpets or drapes; limiting effectiveness
- Turn off bathroom and kitchen fans when no longer required; they are pulling the heat or coolness form the house.
- Guest room not in use? Adjust thermostat until needed.
- Plug and seal the chimney flue of a fireplace that is never used; it will keep hear from going up the chimney.
- Installing tempered glass doors on a fireplace can also reduce heat loss and improve efficiency.
- Trees can help shade exterior air-conditioning units; they'll use less energy. They also provide shade cooling and protect from drafts and winds.
- Small, portable heaters are great for short-term use, but for long-term needs, consider installing a baseboard heater which draws less energy.
- An ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFI) will save about $30 over its lifetime and pat for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75% less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
- Reduce drafts by insulating electrical outlet and switch cover plates
- To save on air conditioning, raise the setting by a couple degrees; you will not notice the change, only the energy savings.
- Older thermostats are less efficient than newer ones and you'll recover the cost quickly.
- Programmable thermostats allow you to customize temperature settings according to when you use the room.
- Portable air conditioner may be sufficient to keep the bedroom cool, saving on more expensive cooling applications
- Change your air conditioner filter as recommended; our unti will work more efficiently.
- Ceiling fans will often provide sufficient cooling, and may reduce the need for air conditioning.
