Here are some tips to help you make your home more efficient and to save you money on your utility bills. Some of these things you can do on your own, others may require professional assistance.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs
- Buy energy star rated appliances
- Unplug small appliances when not in use, such as, cell phone chargers, toasters, coffee makers etc.
- Don't allow your water to run while you are brushing your teeth or washing your hands
- Take showers not baths
- Fix run-on toilets, (they waste a lot of water, causing your water pump to run consantly, and can be very harmful to your septic tank if you have one)
- Make sure your home is properly insulated (stopping drafts will dramatically improve the efficiency of your heat source, whatever it may be)
- Install energy star rated windows and doors
- Use a programable thermostat and make sure it is properly set
- Make sure your water heater is properlly insulated. Touch the side of the tank, if you can feel warmth you should either add insulation or think about replacing it with a newer, more efficient model
- Insulate the pipes going to and from your water heater, if possible (the less heat that escapes from your water heater the less it will run to keep your water hot. The less your water heater runs = the more money you save)
- Have a licesensed electrician install a timer on your (electric) hot water heater
- Turn down the operating temperature of your water heater
We are constantly researching new ways to help you make your home more efficient, and to save you money on your utilities, so check back often. Also, if you know of any energy saving information, please, send us an email and we will be sure to add them to our list.