Tips on How to Make My Home More Energy Efficient

As a responsible homeowner or caretaker, one thing you can do to save money every month is to cut your energy bills. You can do this in two ways: by improving the energy-efficiency of your home, and by changing your consumption behaviors. Whether you want to increase your energy-efficiency to save the planet or to save a few bucks, here are some great tips for reducing the power use in your house.

Use Cold Water for Laundry

Changing your habits: Hot-water settings on the washing machine use a great deal of energy, because not only do they go through the same cycle as other settings, but they also have to heat the water. Instead of using hot water for your laundry, use cold water settings when possible, and warm-water settings for more soiled clothes.

You can also decrease energy use by only running full loads of laundry because small-load settings don’t actually translate to a great deal of savings when it comes to energy or water consumption.

Energy-efficiency tip: When it’s time to replace your current washer and dryer, make sure you buy efficient units. To make it easier, look for the ENERGY STAR rating.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Changing your habits: Instead of cranking up the heat or air-conditioning in winter and summer, set your thermostat for 68 F in winter and 78 F in summer and change your habits around the house. Install ceiling fans to cool people in summer, and use more blankets and heavy clothes to stay warm in winter, if necessary. You can also increase/decrease the temperature in the house when people are sleeping, during the day when nobody’s home, and when you’re away on holidays.

Energy-efficiency tip: Programmable thermostats can save you up to 10 percent on your heating and cooling bills because they allow you to fine tune exact temperatures and running times for your furnace and air-conditioner.

Shut Off What You’re Not Using

Changing your habits: any time you leave a room, turn off all the appliances, electronics, and lights that you can. For instance, you can’t turn off the fridge when you leave the kitchen, but you can turn off all unnecessary lights, radios, televisions, and other energy users that you aren’t using. Same goes for other rooms in the house.

And when it comes to appliances and electronics that you rarely use, unplug them to prevent the use of phantom or vampire energy. Always unplug small devices like phone chargers when they aren’t being used. Similarly, unplug all devices, including the fridge, when you go away for trips and holidays.

Energy-efficiency tip: Most appliances, lights, and electronics today are available in energy-efficient formats, including ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics, and CFL and LED light bulbs.

There are lots of tips out there for improving energy-efficiency in your home and changing your consumption habits, and these will all lead to a greener home and smaller power bills.

For more tips, help with maintenance and repairs, or assistance installing your new devices, call Daniels Heating and Air, LLC servicing the Albuquerque, NM area at 505-898-8860.