With the rising cost of living among many areas in the United States today, 'green' living has become one way that homeowners can reduce living costs and expenses by completing simple projects and by thinking through purchases. There are many ways to decrease the amount of electricity your household uses, and products available to help you achieve lower bills in the future.
The best way to save electricity is not to use it, and therefore a household must adjust behaviors and habits that contribute to high energy costs. Leaving on a television in an unoccupied room is an unnecessary use of electricity, and turning of lights and other electrical components can greatly reduce the amount of electricity your home uses. Furthermore, taking a ten minute shower instead of a twenty or thirty minute one reduces the amount of energy you use heating water, and unplugging items eliminates 'phantom' energy usage (electricity consumption from units that are not even operating).
The most obvious and long term way to reduce energy use is to continually buy appliances that have high energy efficiency themselves. An old or dilapidated water heater or furnace can greatly diminish the overall efficiency of your home due to the simple fact that you use it so often. Be sure to look at the energy ratings of any equipment you plan to buy before making a decision. Also, while light bulbs may not seem to be a large part of energy consumption, a normal incandescent bulb converts only 5% of electricity into light, while a compact fluorescent light bulb (or CFL) can convert up to 20%.
There are also simple steps that the average homeowner can take to help the process along. A homes water heater is a great place to start. If you find that you always have more than enough hot water, you can lower your water heaters' thermostat setting or purchase a simple device that allows a heater to be configured for timed heating instead of trying to maintain a set temperature all day and night. Homeowners can also purchase simple and inexpensive insulating blanket kits to further add to energy savings and reduce heat loss. The same principle can also be added to water pipes that run throughout the home as un-insulated hot water pipes force your heater to work harder.
Another large and simple area that is often overlooked is the heating and insulation system of your home. Ensure that your windows are well sealed, and re-caulk them if necessary. You can use a candle to determine if there are any leaks or drafts around windows or doors. Furnace filters are also important, as a clogged filter forces your furnace or heating system to work harder than necessary to force air throughout the home and can lead to an unnecessary strain and wear on the system itself. Many older homes also lack the proper insulation in spare rooms such as attics, where it is fairly simple to increase heat retention by adding insulation. There are also products available that use NASA's Temper Shield technology that significantly improves insulation quality and effectiveness.
No matter what route you as a homeowner choose, preparing your home to be the most energy efficient unit possible can be quite simple if you keep in mind some of the tips described above. Most of the time the steps needed to increase a households' energy efficiency are simple enough to be classified as a Sunday project and can be completed in a few hours. However, as always, be sure to consult a professional when completing any tasks that require additional expertise, and don't be afraid to ask for advice.
For more information and guidance about home insulation and energy efficency, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in home insulation and energy efficiency.
Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.
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