The largest costs in your budget are more than likely your mortgage, property taxes, and insurance, and for the most part these expenses will be fixed charges and will be consistent each month. One portion of your budget that you can effect with a little effort is your home energy costs. When considering the home energy saving tips below on an individual basis, they may offer very little savings. However; when combined the accumulated savings may result in a huge reduction in your expenses on an annual basis.
Home Energy Saving Tips to Help You Reduce Your Monthly Expenses
Turn Down the Thermostat: Simply reducing the furnace temperature by only 1 degree may save as much as $100 or even more per year. This can vary depending on the size of your home size and location. You can stay cozy by wearing slippers and a warm sweater.
Cooking Efficiently: Baking in bulk can save a substantial amount of energy. By preparing multiple meals at one time you can take advantage of an already heated oven. When you are done cooking, leave the oven door open for a minute or so to heat your kitchen area.
Keep Your Freezer Stocked:A freezer that is completely full is far more efficient than a freezer that is near empty.
Reduce Your Shower Pressure: Installing a giant, luxury shower head and then operating it at full pressure may consume more water than filling a bath tub. This is a waste of water and the energy required to heat the water.
Let Your Dishwasher Do the Work: Rinsing your dishes before loading them in the dishwasher is a tremendous waste of hot water. After dinner, scrape of your dishes and then let the dishwasher do the work for you.
Hang Your Clothes to Dry: Remember when your Mother or your Grandmother hung the laundry out to dry. You won’t see this much today and most homes don’t even have a clothes line. However, if you do hang your clothes to dry this could make a huge difference in your home energy cost saving strategy.
Pull the Plug: Unplug your appliances and chargers when they are not in use. They may not consume a lot of power but most appliances do use some energy even when in standby mode.
Home Energy Saving Tips for Your Windows
Open Your Blinds: On sunny days in the winter open your curtains or blinds and let the natural sunshine heat your home. Conversely, you should close the curtains and blinds at night to help keep the heat inside.
Install Energy Efficient Windows: Replacing outdated windows with new high-performance windows will not only reduce your energy cost, it will also protect your wood furniture, upholstery, and artwork from harmful UV rays.
Check the NFRC Rating: Before you place your order for new windows, review the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label and compare the performance ratings.
Contact Us:
Have more questions about home energy savings and options for your windows? Contact One Source Renovation, LLC at WindowRepairGuy.com or give us a call at (815)-634-8922.