Here are 6 quick and easy ways to reduce the amount of energy that you consume at home. Not only will these tips reduce your home energy consumption (and, thus, reduce your energy bill), but they are all no cost or low cost, and do not require any special skills to complete!
1. Use Ceiling Fans Year-Round - During cold months, set ceiling fan rotation to clockwise to circulate warmer air near ceiling back into the living space. This will cut heating costs by as much as 10%!
2. Adjust Your Furnace Temperature- Turn down the furnace temperature when you are not at home. It is estimated that most households spend 50 to 70% of their energy budgets on heating and cooling, so why waste the energy when no one is home? If you tend to forget about adjusting the temperature when you leave, purchase a programmable thermostat from your local hardware store.
3. Adjust Your Water Heater Temperature - Many conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees F by installers, but most households don't need water that hot. A friend of mine has a rule of thumb: if the water is too hot for your hands, it needs to be turned down (otherwise, you have to cool it down by turning on the cold water). Setting the water heater temperature to 120 degrees F (or lower) would reduce your water heating costs by an estimated 6% to 10%.
4. Wear Warmer Clothes - Dress warmer for winter, even inside. Roughly speaking, a light long-sleeved sweater is worth about 2 degrees in added warmth, while a heavy sweater adds about 4 degrees.
5. Seal the Leaks - According to the U.S. Department of Energy, simple leaks can reduce home energy efficiency by an estimated 5% to 30% a year. That means it pays to seal up gaps with caulking and weatherstripping. Pay special attention to places where two different building materials meet, such as corners, around chimneys, where pipes or wires exit and along the foundation.
6. Insulate Your Pipes - Did you know that insulating your pipes can reduce the amount of energy that your water heater uses? Insulation also helps to decrease the chance of pipes freezing, which can be disastrous. If your pipes are warm to the touchthey are good candidates for insulation. Preformed tubes of insulation can be purchased from a local hardware store and easily installed. And, if your water heater is warm to the touch, installing an insulation blanket around it will also help to save energy (and reduce your energy costs.
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