The weather is finally getting colder and snow is starting to pile up. Turning up the thermostat doesn’t mean you have to tighten your belt, though. Here are ten easy tips to reduce your energy use at home. Taking advantage of these tips can save you money and help the environment, too!
At Metro Construction, we service the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, with locations from Denver to Cheyenne. The weather here can be particularly nasty ? last night we had 80 MPH winds and several inches of snow. We always help our customers become more energy efficient. Here are 10 easy tips you can use to reduce your energy use and save money.
1)????? Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
2)????? Install a programmable thermostat to keep your home at a more stable temperature.
3)????? Power off home electronics (computers, TVs, cable boxes, etc) when not in use. Connecting all of your electronics to a single power strip makes turning them all off as easy as one click.
4)????? Check and/or replace heating and cooling air filters.
5)????? Reduce your washing machine settings from hot to warm or cold.
6)????? Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors and crawl spaces. If necessary, add insulation to a government recommended R-Value of R49 ? R60.
7)????? Inspect for holes or cracks around walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches and electrical outlets. Seal any you find with caulk or patching compound.
8)????? Add foil backed insulation around your water heater (while avoiding any openings or controls).
9)????? Seal around pipes, wires, ducts, dryer vents, or exhaust fans that cut through the home or attic.
10)?? Weather-strip your attic access, garage entry, windows and doors.
As you can see, it only takes a few easy steps to start saving energy today! There are plenty of home improvement services that increase home efficiency. Perhaps the easiest and most cost effective is adding attic insulation ? a simple, inexpensive step that could save you 20% or more on your energy bill.
