Do It Yourself
We really mean it when we say everyone can start saving today. Here are 8 simple energy-saving tips that you can do yourself!
- Insulate and air-seal your attic hatch
- Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Make simple changes to your water heater
- Use the sun’s power to your advantage
- Be aware of “phantom charge”
- Change the filter on your air conditioner regularly
- Cover the Attic Fan Grate
We highly recommend that homeowners with whole house fans (AKA attic fans) cover the grate with a detachable insulated cover when not in use. Lots of heat is able to radiate down from the attic through what is essentially an open hole in the ceiling. This is an easy DIY project, typically requiring the homeowner to measure and cut the cover to fit the grate, then peal-and-stick velcro around the perimeter. See image below:
Unlike your home, your attic is unconditioned space. In other word, you do not want any air or heat to transfer between your home and your attic. Attic insulation is a great way to reduce heat transfer, but many people neglect the attic hatch. When left uninsulated, this thin piece of board acts almost like an open window to your attic, letting energy transfer back and forth freely.
An easy fix is to use foam weather-stripping around the edges of the attic hatch to stop air from flowing around the edges and rigid foam board insulation to mitigate the heat transfer.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) use about 75% less energy AND last at least six times as long as traditional bulbs! They conveniently fit into the same light sockets as their traditional incandescent counterparts. Also, the price of CFL’s has dropped significantly, so you can find them for as cheap as 99¢ per bulb. So change out your bulbs and start saving today!
Traditional dial thermostats are yesterday’s technology. Installing a programmable thermostat take about 10 minutes, costs about $40, and can save you as much as $100 a year on energy bills.
Unless your water heater is brand new, chances are you could save money by using a insulated water heater jacket. To test this, feel the outside of your water heater and if it is warm to the touch then a water heater jacket would save you money. They cost around $30 and can save you up to $30 a year
Also, be sure to check the temperature of your water heater. It never needs to be above 120 degrees. Simply adjusting the dial down to a reasonable temperature can lead to significant energy savings.
You don’t need to install solar panels in order to utilize the sun’s energy. For instance, when the sun shines through your window, heat is naturally being transferred into your home. Take advantage of this in the winter and keep it out when possible in the summer!
Most common household appliances are equipped with an on/off switch however, these appliances may still be consuming electricity even when they are switched off. These so-called “phantom loads” can consume a significant amount of electricity.
Any device that can be operated with a remote-control is also consuming power around the clock. It has to stay in a ready state in order to be switched on by the remote control.
Large, old appliances like that extra refrigerator that you barely even use could be costing you more than $100 a year just to keep on!
It is recommended most filters to be changed monthly. Investing in a filter that can last 3 months is a great idea.
Stay even more efficient by having a service technician check and clean your A/C unit and furnace once a year. Proper functioning and maximum efficiency is easily attained through maintenance once a year by a professional.
