Nine Ways to cut energy costs in Your Home
1. Review your energy requirements annually
Examine all your energy costs in detail so that you know where your energy
dollars are going. That way when you see the electric bill spiking, you can
find out what is really going on before it gets out of control.
2. Install energy saving lighting
This is probably the single MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do to not only
save money, but also to save energy. Incandescent lighting is much more
expensive to operate than fluorescent lighting. Modern compact fluorescents
emit the same light as classic incandescents but use 75% 0r 80% less
electricity.
3.Eliminate Phantom Load Energy Use
A "phantom load" is the energy that's sapped by appliances when they're
plugged in, but not on. Use power strips or manually unplug DVD players,
computers and cell phone charges to save electricity from disappearing
without a trace. In the average home, 40% of all electricity is used to power
home appliances while they're turned off. If all phantom loads in U.S.
homes were stopped, we could shut down 17 power plants. Power strips
with surge protectors make it easy to "unplug" many appliances at once.
4. Install programmable thermostat
You will be delighted with the savings a simple upgrade like a programmable
thermostat will yield. No more "forgetting" to turn the air conditioning off. Best
of all YOU can determine the temperature you desire. A typical
programmable thermostat costs about $75 and can pay for itself in one
heating/cooling season. If used properly, a programmable thermostat can
save 10% per year on heating and cooling bills.
5. Maintain your HVAC units
Purchase a service contract. Make sure filters are replaced regularly. Clean
HVAC systems can save customers money as they perform more efficiently,
decreasing energy costs. Another alternative is to use ceiling fans. They
take a lot less energy that the air condition, and moving air feels cooler.
6. Turn off lights and equipment.
Train everybody to turn off lights as they leave rooms. Install energy saving
bulbs wherever possible. Turn off computer monitors and computers.
Energy costs soar when power is wasted.
7. Install Energy Star rated appliances
Everything from copiers to clothes dryers is Energy Star rated. Buy or lease
but replace with Energy Star rated electrical equipment for maximum energy
savings. Efficient products can reduce energy use by 30 to 50 percent.
For example, many home and commercial appliances run 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. If those appliances consume 30 percent less energy,
the savings add up quickly. A typical household equipped with Energy Star
products can reduce its yearly energy bills by about $400.
8. Energy Efficient Doors and Windows
Wherever possible, close doors so that individual room thermostats can
operate efficiently. Install Energy efficient, and or double glazing, storm doors
and windows wherever possible. About one-third of a typical home's heat
loss occurs through the doors and windows.
9. Install on demand water heating
Why keep 60 or 80 gallon tank of water hot all the time? Install on demand
hot water heaters in bathrooms and wash-up areas. That way you just heat
the water you use. Water heating is the third largest energy expense in
your home. If typically accounts for about 14 percent of your utility bill.
Examine all your energy costs in detail so that you know where your energy
dollars are going. That way when you see the electric bill spiking, you can
find out what is really going on before it gets out of control.
2. Install energy saving lighting
This is probably the single MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do to not only
save money, but also to save energy. Incandescent lighting is much more
expensive to operate than fluorescent lighting. Modern compact fluorescents
emit the same light as classic incandescents but use 75% 0r 80% less
electricity.
3.Eliminate Phantom Load Energy Use
A "phantom load" is the energy that's sapped by appliances when they're
plugged in, but not on. Use power strips or manually unplug DVD players,
computers and cell phone charges to save electricity from disappearing
without a trace. In the average home, 40% of all electricity is used to power
home appliances while they're turned off. If all phantom loads in U.S.
homes were stopped, we could shut down 17 power plants. Power strips
with surge protectors make it easy to "unplug" many appliances at once.
4. Install programmable thermostat
You will be delighted with the savings a simple upgrade like a programmable
thermostat will yield. No more "forgetting" to turn the air conditioning off. Best
of all YOU can determine the temperature you desire. A typical
programmable thermostat costs about $75 and can pay for itself in one
heating/cooling season. If used properly, a programmable thermostat can
save 10% per year on heating and cooling bills.
5. Maintain your HVAC units
Purchase a service contract. Make sure filters are replaced regularly. Clean
HVAC systems can save customers money as they perform more efficiently,
decreasing energy costs. Another alternative is to use ceiling fans. They
take a lot less energy that the air condition, and moving air feels cooler.
6. Turn off lights and equipment.
Train everybody to turn off lights as they leave rooms. Install energy saving
bulbs wherever possible. Turn off computer monitors and computers.
Energy costs soar when power is wasted.
7. Install Energy Star rated appliances
Everything from copiers to clothes dryers is Energy Star rated. Buy or lease
but replace with Energy Star rated electrical equipment for maximum energy
savings. Efficient products can reduce energy use by 30 to 50 percent.
For example, many home and commercial appliances run 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. If those appliances consume 30 percent less energy,
the savings add up quickly. A typical household equipped with Energy Star
products can reduce its yearly energy bills by about $400.
8. Energy Efficient Doors and Windows
Wherever possible, close doors so that individual room thermostats can
operate efficiently. Install Energy efficient, and or double glazing, storm doors
and windows wherever possible. About one-third of a typical home's heat
loss occurs through the doors and windows.
9. Install on demand water heating
Why keep 60 or 80 gallon tank of water hot all the time? Install on demand
hot water heaters in bathrooms and wash-up areas. That way you just heat
the water you use. Water heating is the third largest energy expense in
your home. If typically accounts for about 14 percent of your utility bill.
Copyright 2008 Donahue Noble Group All rights reserved
45 Constitution St Bristol, RI 02809 Phn:401-474-0404
Fax:401-396-9335 Email:donahuenoble@kw.com
45 Constitution St Bristol, RI 02809 Phn:401-474-0404
Fax:401-396-9335 Email:donahuenoble@kw.com
The Market Report
Louise Donahue
Cell: 401.474.0404
Email: Louise.Donahue@cox.net
Cell: 401.474.0404
Email: Louise.Donahue@cox.net
John Noble
Cell: 401.439.9526
Email: John.Noble@inbox.com
Cell: 401.439.9526
Email: John.Noble@inbox.com
We would recommend
Louise and John to
anyone needing to sell a
home, and especially if
it's during a buyer's
market. Thanks to their
realistic assessment of
the market ... more
Louise and John to
anyone needing to sell a
home, and especially if
it's during a buyer's
market. Thanks to their
realistic assessment of
the market ... more
Keller Williams Realty Newport / East Bay
401.474.0404
www.DonahueNoble.com
WE KNOW
THE EAST BAY