On the other hand, an Energy Star-certified furnace is at least 15 percent more efficient than a standard model and can save you up to 20 percent on heating costs. The average life expectancy for a gas or oil-fired furnace is 15 years to 20 years, according to This Old House, and an aging, inefficient model could be inflating your energy bill. That way, you do not have the extra energy consumption occurring when hot water is not being used.”Īdditionally, homeowners should assess the condition of their furnaces. “Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, only heat water on demand. “Traditional water heaters maintain a full tank of warm water, which requires constant energy to keep warm,” says Than Merrill, founder and CEO of the real estate investment education company FortuneBuilders. Consider gas and solar options, many of which are tankless to maximize efficiency. Moreover, Energy Star washers are 40 percent more efficient than their conventional counterparts lacking the Energy Star label.Ĭonsidering water heating costs account for 11 percent of your utility bills, switching out your water heater can drastically cut energy bills, according to This Old House. However, opting for Energy Star-qualified dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators can dramatically reduce that percentage.įor example, Energy Star refrigerators use 50 percent less energy than those manufactured 15 years ago and 15 percent less than fridges without the efficiency rating. In fact, 20 percent of our electricity bill’s balance comes from running appliances, according to This Old house. Replacing old appliances can cut energy bills across the board. Call or email us for more info on this energy saving thermostat. Tom Stachler also has a Honeywell wall thermostat product he uses at his home and income properties that only runs 110 to purchase is wifi enabled and has free online subscription. ![]() ![]() Consumers enjoyed average savings of $131 to $145 a year. The Nest Learning Thermostat sells for $249, but some energy companies offer rebates or even send plan participants small thermostat models free of charge.According to the Nest site, two independent studies analyzing energy bills before and after homeowners installed Nest’s thermostat showed that it cut cooling costs by 15 percent and reduced heating usage by 10 percent to 12 percent. It can also adjust according to factors such as draftiness or how long a home takes to get warm. The Nest thermostat, for example, automatically adjusts the temperature after users set it manually for the first few days to establish usage patterns and preferences. “These devices optimize your energy use by heating your home only when you’re there - or awake - to enjoy it.”Smart home systems can adjust the thermostat for you - and cut your residential energy costs. “According to Energy Star, a programmable thermostat can save households up to $180 per year in heating and cooling costs,” says Kendal Perez, a savings expert with who also operates the site Hassle-Free Savings. Unless you have a heat pump, consider cranking the thermostat setting down to 55 degrees when you’re sleeping or away from home for an extended period. You can save 5 percent on heating costs for every degree you drop your thermostat in the 60-70 degree range, according to the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center, which suggests a maximum setting of 68 degrees during the day. Instead, wear warm clothing inside and turn your thermostat down. Department of Energy.Don’t shed that sweater when you get home. And if you want to take the strategy to the next level, turn the temperature on your water heater down to 120 degrees, which is safe and sanitary for most households, according to the U.S. This small sacrifice can slash 5 percent to 20 percent from your heating bill. ![]() And making a few small lifestyle changes can help both the environment and your bank balance.Ĭonsider these tips to help slash your energy bills this winter - or even year round. Taking some time to weatherproof your Home and maintain or upgrade appliances can result in significant savings when the snow starts falling. Winter is still a few months away, but it’s not too early to start thinking about cutting cold-weather energy costs.
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