Energy costs can be overwhelming – especially in the dead of winter, and at the height of summer.
But beyond being just expensive, high energy consumption also has a negative impact on the environment.
“There are a number of reasons why you should consider cutting back on energy consumption.
First of all, reducing energy use limits the number of carbon emissions in the environment.
Carbon emissions play a significant role in climate change, which is thought to be the cause of powerful natural disasters in recent years. With billions of harmful emissions in the atmosphere, cutting back is always a good thing.
In turn, conserving energy produces a higher quality of life.
Reduced emissions result in cleaner air quality. In addition, it helps create a healthier planet, or at least helps sustain the resources we already have.
Being conservative with energy can ensure that lakes, trees and animals are around for future generations.”
Whether you want to “go green” for the environment, or for your wallet, we have some great tips and tricks that can help you slash your energy use and save on your electric bill in 2020.
Adjust Temperatures
A simple temperature adjustment of a few degrees can have a big impact on your wallet!
Adjust Your Home Thermostat
The ideal temperature for your thermostat is between 60 and 65 degrees fahrenheit, but most people have it several degrees higher than that in the winter.
An ideal summer temperature for energy conservation is 78 degrees.
To save energy try adjusting. If you’re uncomfortable put on socks and a sweatshirt, or work on closing your blinds and curtains to keep your house cool.
Each degree that you raise or lower affects your energy bill by 1%!
Adjust Your Fridge And Freezer
“Refrigerators and freezers should not be set too cold.
Refrigerators should maintain a temperature of 37 to 40 F to work at peak efficiency and minimize energy costs.
Freezers should be at 5 degrees. Stand-alone freezers for long storage can be set at 0 degrees.”
Lower Your Hot Water Heater
Keep your hot water heater set to no higher than 120 degrees fahrenheit.
If you lower your temperature 10 degrees from where it’s currently at, you can save about 4% in energy costs!
Seal and Insulate
Taking care of any gaps in your house or your appliances will keep you from leaking your precious warm or cool air, no matter the season.
Check Seals On Windows And Doors
Fill any gaps you find with spray foam insulation or caulking. Hot or cool air escaping through cracks and gaps accounts for a large percentage of home energy loss.
Check Seals On Your Fridge And Freezers
A poorly sealed fridge can not only spike your energy bills, but it can also give off harmful carbon emissions.
Green Living Idea has a great trick for checking your refrigerator seal with a dollar bill!
Get Heavy Curtains For Your Windows
Insulated curtains provide extra warmth at night, and help keep the cool air in during hot summer days.
But remember to open your curtains on sunny winter days so the sunlight can help warm your home before you seal it off again in the evening.
Fix Leaky Ductwork
AC duct leaks are another common cause of energy waste, but can be fixed easily with special metallic foil tape.
You can do this yourself, or get a professional HVAC tech to get the job done thoroughly.
Reduce Water Use
Every year, American homes use about 300 gallons of water every day. But small changes can greatly reduce how much water you let flow down your drains.
Replace Your Showerhead
A good low flow shower head can save you up to $200 a year alone on energy bills, and cuts your water usage in HALF.
And the good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice a great shower to get these savings. Today, there are a multitude of low flow shower heads that still deliver on pressure.
Fix Leaky Faucets
Be they in the bathroom, or the kitchen, faucet leaks can add up to a lot of waste over time.
Fix these annoying drips with plumbers tape, or with a sink or pipe replacement, and you can help reduce your water usage.
Shorten Your Showers
By reducing your daily shower, even by five minutes, you can save about 15 gallons of water per day.
Use Energy Efficient HVAC Systems
Upgrading to more energy efficient appliances, as well as heating and cooling systems, is always a great way to save on your costs throughout the year.
At TFF HVAC we have a wide variety of top of the line systems that can save you significant money over the years.
Other Energy Saving Tips
Don’t wash clothes in hot water – you can cut your energy use in half when you switch to cold, and your clothes will last longer.
Swap your light bulbs and install dimmer switches.
According to energy.gov, compared to traditional incandescents, energy-efficient lightbulbs such as halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs) use 25-80% less energy and last 3-25 times longer!
