With the cost of electricity and gas on the rise this winter season, it’s a good idea to make sure that you are conserving all the electricity that you possibly can. Taking an audit of your home will allow you to determine your homes energy efficiency. Here’s how!
You can easily conduct an audit with a simple “walk-through” of your home. You can spot many problems and then prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.
Locate air leaks
Make a list of obvious leaks or drafts. Check along baseboards or the edge of floors and walls. Check to see if air can flow through electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames, baseboards, weather stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches or wall-mounted air conditioners. Also look for gaps around pipes and wires. Even check your mail slot. Check to see if wiring and caulking are applied properly. Inspect windows and doors for leaks. Don’t forget to check the outside of your house as well. Inspect exterior corners. Plug and caulk holes for faucets. Repairing all air leaks will save you between 5 – 30% on your energy bill. Now, that’s savings!
Insulation
Heat loss through the ceiling and wall could be significant if the insulation levels are less than the required minimum. Check your attic and wall insulation to make sure you meet the minimum requirements. Insulate your water heater and water pipes to realize considerable savings all year round.
Lighting
Energy for lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill. Examine your lighting; you may have 100 watt bulbs where 60 would be sufficient. You can save a considerable amount of money by simply shutting off lights when you leave the room. If you can’t remember to do this, consider installing a light or motion sensor that will do the job for you.
Windows
Make sure you winterize your windows properly. There are many different kinds of weather stripping to choose from; check with your local hardware store. thermostat settings You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F (20°C) when you’re at home and awake, and lowering it when you’re asleep or away. This strategy is effective and inexpensive if you are willing to adjust the thermostat by hand and wake up in a chilly house. Or set your programmable thermostat to do the work for you, and see a 5 - 10% savings on your bill this winter!
Cold-water Washing
Did you know that if you wash your clothes in cold water it could save you up to 75% in energy usage?
More Water Bill Savings
Replace that old toilet — new models use only 1.6 gallons per flush, or less. Install a showerhead flowing at 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) or less.
Turn off that dripping faucet!
Invest in Energy Star appliances, such as your dishwasher — they usually save both water and energy. Unless you are very frugal with water use, dishwashers will typically use less water than washing dishes by hand.
Taking just a little time to determine what needs to be repaired or replaced in your home will allow you to stay warm and cozy without costing you more than it should.
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