The average family spends more than $2,000 per year on utility bills, for heating, cooling, hot water and cooking, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Just think what you could do with the extra money if you could just reduce that amount by 10 percent or even five percent. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to increase your home’s energy efficiency and save your family money as well as reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Here are some easy ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency:
According to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, sealing any gaps at least once a year is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. All of these gaps cause conditioned air to escape your home. And, don’t limit yourself to doors and windows. Look for additional gaps in the attic, around electrical outlets, along baseboards and around pipes and wires that enter your home.
Investing in energy-saving devices and systems can also dramatically reduce your home’s energy use. For example, installing a programmable thermostat can reduce your energy usage by around $180 per year (on average). And, opting for a tankless water heating system can reduce your annual energy bill by around $100 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Appliances, such as your refrigerator and oven, make up approximately 20 percent of your monthly energy use. Reduce that number by situating your refrigerator and freezer well away from your stove, matching your pan size to the size of the burner and avoiding opening your refrigerator and freezer as well as possible.
No one wants to suffer furnace breakdowns, deal with repairs, or face the cost of replacing an entire heating system that makes your home less energy efficient. Contact the professionals at Collins Comfort Masters in Phoenix today!