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It dipped below 70 degrees today so naturally I’m thinking “Winters here”. So along that vein I thought let’s talk a minute about some energy-saving tips. A client of mine asked me recently about an energy audit on a house they were buying so I became an expert of sorts on the topic and found a great resource to learn about energy conservation. Interestingly enough they offer energy auditing services. Excel Energy and more information on getting a home energy audit can be found following this link. Excel Energy’s website is chalk full of useful information and tons of links for further information. I believe wholeheartedly in being more green and in doing what we can to cut down on waste. Excel Energy has a blog that keeps lots of ideas on energy conservation and here are some types that they recently posted on one of their sites (source www.ExcelEnergy.com):
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees.
- Open window coverings on south-facing windows to warm your home, but remember to close them at night.
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- I don’t care how much you love that fireplace, traditional fireplaces are not efficient. When not in use, shut the damper and make sure it stays closed.
- Plug leaks — Install weather-stripping or caulk leaky doors and windows. Did you know a 1/16th-inch unsealed crack around a window lets in as much cold air as leaving the window open 1/2-inch? Yikes.
- Use cold water when you wash your clothes. They won’t know the difference.
- Dry your clothes outside (Okay it’s not ideal, I get that.) or buy a drying rack.
- Change out your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs or LEDs.
- Install a low-flow shower head.
- Buy your water heater a blanket. If your water heater feels warm to the touch it is losing heat and needs a blanket.
- Don’t forget to replace your furnace filter — remember that a dirty filter for your furnace is like you trying to breathe through a waffle.
- Ceiling fan — Turn the blades clockwise in the winter!
- Install clear, plastic sheets in the windows. Remember to seal the plastic tightly frame to frame.
- And my personal favorite, make sure you don’t have a piece of furniture or a big, fluffy cat blocking a vent! This will ensure that the air is evenly distributed throughout the-house and not inundated with cat hair.
