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Tips &Tricks
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The fall and winter season is just around the corner for most North Americans. As the dipping temperatures put a distinctive chill in the air, there will be more consumption of household utilities, such as heat and hot water. With each passing day of reduced sunlight, household lights will be turned on earlier. This added output will result in more electricity costs to pay.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average annual household electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 11,280 KWh in 2011, an average of 940 kilowatt hours per month. In 2012, it rose slightly to 11,500 KWh. Although, usage appears to remain steady, U.S. residential homes consume a lot more power when compared to other countries, like Germany at 3,200 KWh annually. Because of the added consumption and costs, there are a few easy changes that you can make around your home to cut down on the amount of energy used. These simple tips will help to operate your home more efficiently, and keep those hard earned dollars in your pocket.
Forced Air Furnace:
Whether your home uses gas, oil or electricity, the majority of households (57%) have a forced air furnace heating system. In order to keep costs down over the winter months, make sure your furnace is running efficiently, and safely, with an updated furnace inspection to prevent breakdowns. For tip-top efficiency, check the air filter monthly, and change it when it’s dirty. This preventative measure will help you to get better heating in the winter, save on utility bills and extend the life of the furnace too. More expensive (electrostatic) filters capture smaller particles and require fewer changes than the cheaper (pleated) and the cheapest (woven fiberglass) filters. If you have allergies, consider electrostatic filters.
Light Bulbs:
Most homes (41%) are still using incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs use more electricity to operate, but you can change that trend by switching over to regular fluorescent or compact fluorescent bulbs, which consumes a fraction of electricity when compared to traditional incandescent. LEDs offer huge advantages over conventional lighting because solid-state lighting can be ten times as energy efficient and last hundreds of times longer. LEDs can already triple the 10,000 hours of lifetime for compact fluorescent light bulbs, which is today’s lighting standard. Installing automatic timers, motion sensors or dimmers can help cut down on energy usage too.
Thermostats:
Installing a programmable thermostat is an excellent way to cut down on energy costs. They are becoming very popular due to their energy saving benefits, improved comfort, convenience and cost-effective savings. By allowing residents to set home temperatures according to various conditions, these thermostats save energy and money on utility bills. Not only do they supply personal comfort through pre-set temperature levels, but they are generally more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats. When used properly, this device can save residents about $150 annually, which is a one year return on investment.
When setting up the programmable thermostat, reduce the temperature in the house by one degree during the day. This can save up to 4% on energy consumption. Dropping the temperature by an additional one degree during the night can reduce costs by 10%!
Insulation:
To keep energy costs down, check windows, doors and your attic for any loss of heat.
• If there is less than 7 inches of R-22 fiberglass insulation, more should be added.
• If the inside of a door feels colder than the wall, install a better insulated door.
• Avoid heating unused rooms by closing the vents and doors.
• Use blinds effectively by opening them up on sunny days and closing them when the sun sets.
• Add throw rugs on the floors for added warmth and insulation.
• If there are drafts from windows, use a shrinkable plastic liner as a cover to keep the heat inside.
• Keep the garage door closed as much as possible to retain warmer air against the garage-side wall. This acts as a buffer against outdoor air.
Additional Energy Saving Tips:
Some additional ways of saving energy inside the home include:
• Replace old appliances with Energy Star appliances.
• Turn computers off when not in use.
• Use a thermal insulation blanket around the water heater to keep heat inside.
• Close the chimney flue when the fireplace is not in use. The chimney acts like an open window. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
• Air dry dishes in the dishwasher instead of using the heating element.
• Wash and rinse laundry in cold water.
• Use the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, or on the weekend, when electricity rates are down.
There are many free and inexpensive ways to conserve energy in your home. Some improvements will cost money, but these are often good investments that will reduce your electricity bills in the future. By following these easy and simple steps, you’ll cut down on energy use and keep more money in your pocket on an annual basis.
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