Everyday House Energy Saving Tips

Did you know the average home owner spends a large amount of money on energy each year? The shocking thing is that much of this energy is wasted, but there is good news. There are ways that you can make changes in your home to cut back on wasted energy as well as save money for other more important things. In order to do this it is important to look at everything in your home that uses energy and evaluate the situation to see how you can make a change that will save you money. This article will discuss some common ways that you can save energy and money in your home

Heating and Cooling

The vast majority of your energy bill is spent on heating and cooling your home. No matter what kind of heating and cooling system you have in your home, there are ways that you can make them more energy efficient. The first thing that you will need to do is have them serviced. By keeping your system in good shape it will run more efficiently and work better using less power. You can also save money by simply adjusting your thermostat a few degrees. Be sure to set your thermostat as low or high as comfortable for the given season. Finally, keep curtains closed during the summer and open during the winter.

Changing Your Lighting

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Another simple and inexpensive way that you can cut your energy cost is by replacing your lighting. There is an average of 11% of household energy expenditures that go toward this cost. Technology has created light bulbs that use much less energy than those we are used to. Rather than use traditional filament light bulbs you can switch to the new compact fluorescent light bulbs. They last much longer than traditional bulbs and the light they give off is just as good. They cost a little more than the traditional bulbs we are used to but over their lifetime, the energy they save makes them much less expensive. They also produce less heat which makes it easier to keep your home cool in the summer months. Changing your lighting can reduce this portion of your energy expense by more than half.

Pay Attention when Shopping for Appliances

Whenever it is time to buy new appliances there are some thing things that you should consider. There is the upfront cost of the appliance, but there is also a hidden cost that we don't always consider. This is the cost of the energy that is needed to run it. When you look at appliances, pay close attention to the ones that have energy star labels. These appliances can save you the most on your energy costs. Your sales person will be able to provide you with more detailed information about the savings you can get on an appliance, but rest assured that those with an energy star label usually exceed federal regulations concerning appliance energy usage.

Water Hearing

Finally you can do some things to save money with your water heating bill. One thing to consider is the installation of faucets and shower heads that are low flow and aerate the water. Also, make sure to repair any faucets that drip. They can waste a lot of water in only a little time. You should pay careful attention to the temperature that your hot water heater is set to. You can often reduce the thermostat by a good bit and still have water that is plenty hot for any of the purposes that you might need It for.