Winter Energy Savings
Heating your home is one of the biggest expenses you face. Currently, the cost of energy is extremely high. There’s several things you can do right now to reduce your winter energy usage and save yourself a lot of money. Check out our top 10 winter energy saving tips below.
Top 10 Winter Energy Saving Tips
Install a Smart Thermostat – Every degree of extra heating increases energy use by 6% to 8%. Using a smart thermostat you can automatically adjust your heating and cooling temperatures based upon your schedule.
Replace your HVAC Air Filter – A dirty air filter can make your HVAC system work much harder and that costs money. Regularly replacing your HVAC filter helps you breathe easier by removing dust, pollen and pet dander all while keeping your home cleaner.
Switch to LED Light Bulbs – Replacing one incandescent 60W light bulb with an energy efficient LED bulb can save almost $15 per year. Another great benefit of LED bulbs is that they can last up to 50 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Insulate Your Water Heater – Standard water heaters use energy 24 hours per day to keep hot water ready to use. Wrapping your water heater in a blanket of insulation saves energy buy allowing your to turn down the water heater’s thermostat.
Use Weather Stripping – Leaks around windows and doors are big energy wasters. There’s weather stripping available for just about every scenario. Sealing up drafts is cheap, quick and easy.
Check Ceiling Fan Rotation – Most ceiling fans have the ability to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise. Warm air rises. In the winter, reverse your ceiling fan’s rotation to help push hot air down into the living space. The slowest speed is usually all that’s needed.
Run Dishwasher at Night – Electric companies charge less for electricity during off peak hours. We run our dishwasher in the middle of the night. It saves us money and we don’t have to hear it run.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water – To avoid the cost of heating water, wash your clothes in cold water if you can. According to GE Appliances, most clothing can be washed in cold water. Exceptions are when washing spandex and polyester and when clothing needs to be sanitized.
Check Refrigerator & Freezer Settings – Cooling your food costs money. If you’re cooling your food more than necessary you’re wasting money. Consider purchasing an inexpensive thermometer and adjust your refrigerator and freezer to the recommended settings.
Use Timers & Smart Apps – Turning off lights and appliances when not in use saves money. Employing the help of timers, smart plugs and apps make saving money very convenient. Automatically turning lights on and off can help improve security and safety.
Unplug Unused Appliances & Electronics – Even when not in use electrically powered items can use electricity. Video game consoles, computers, and audio and video devices are some of the main culprits today. You can simply unplug these devices when not in use or use power strips with an easy to control switch for more convenience.
Bonus Energy Saving Tips
Keep Dryer Ducts Clear – Over time dryer ducts can get clogged with lint and debris. This reduces dryer efficiency and is a potential fire hazard. You can clear your dryer ducts with a duct cleaning brush or hire someone to do it for you.
Clean Refrigerator Coils – Using a vacuum to clean your refrigerator coils will increase efficiency saving you money. Make sure you unplug your refrigerator while cleaning your coils.
Unplug Empty Battery Chargers – These devices slowly drain electricity when not in use. Don’t forget the ones in the garage too!
Replacing Appliances – No one likes to spend money on new appliances but when you’re forced to always look for the Energy Star rating. This rating means the appliance has proven to be more energy efficient.
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