Creating a more energy efficient home isn’t as hard and costly as you might think. Here are some ways to cut down on your energy usage and create a more sustainable home for the future:
USE MOTION SENSORS– Motion sensors enable lights to go on and off when needed vs staying on for hours when not in use.
INSTALL DIMMER SWITCHES– Dimming your lights reduces wattage and output, which helps save energy and reduce costs.
USE ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES– Many of today’s new appliances use half the energy of those from 20 years ago. If you’re in the market, look for products with the Energy Star label.
INVEST IN A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT– It costs $100 or less to purchase a programmable thermostat and it can cut energy consumption by 20 to 30 percent – saving you an average of $180 a year. In addition, adjusting the temperature at which you heat and cool your home has the highest potential for utility savings.
INSTALL A TANKLESS WATER HEATER– Traditional storage hot water tanks continuously heat water to keep a full store at the ready. That means you’re paying to have hot water whether you need it or not. Tankless water heaters don’t store water. Instead they heat water as it passes through the unit, rapidly bring water to temperature only when you need it. Though tankless water heaters have high up-front costs, if you are in your home for the long-run, you will eventually get your money back.
You don’t have to do everything all at once. Begin simply by choosing one item on the list. In the long run, if you stick with your energy‑saving goals not only will the environment benefit, so you will your wallet!
Facts contained within are from the US Department of Energy and Consumer Reports.