Reducing energy use at home is a win-win for your wallet and the planet. Not only can it save you money on your bills now, but it could also improve your home resale value. These
simple tips can help:
Adopt smart habits
Smart energy habits can help you save a great deal of money. Be sure to unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when they are not in use and always turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Keep a clutter-free fridge in the kitchen for better efficiency. Don’t hem and haw over what to eat while the refrigerator door is open. When cooking, cover pots and pans to keep the heat in and the kitchen cool.
Make smart swap outs
Some electronics continue to use energy even while turned off. Energy Star certified electronics are designed to conserve this energy usage, while still maintaining functions like clock displays, channel settings and remote control functions.
Seek out the Energy Star certified label when shopping for appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators.
Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs is simple, easy and effective. You can save up to $70 in annual energy costs by replacing your five most frequently used light bulbs or fixtures with Energy Star certified ones.
Seal up drafts
Weather stripping, caulking and other simple measures, such as closing the flue damper of your fireplace when not in use, can keep you more comfortable in all types of weather while improving your home’s energy efficiency.
Know your score
Another step towards saving energy is to measure your home’s energy efficiency with a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score from the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), a non-profit standards-making body for building energy efficiency rating and certification systems.
More than 2 million homes across the country have a HERS Index Score, which tells homeowners and prospective buyers how their homes compare to other similar ones in terms of energy usage. Think of it as the home industry’s version of the mpg rating that you find in the auto industry. The lower a home score, the higher its efficiency.
“Knowing your score can help you evaluate where to make changes to your home, from sealing leaks in your heating and cooling distribution system to updating your roof in order to be more energy efficient,” said Steve Baden, executive director of RESNET.
Reducing your carbon footprint is not about self-sacrifice. Simple tips can help you improve your energy efficiency while making your home a more comfortable place to reside.
Courtesy of StatePoint
