Figure out that thermostat: Programmable thermostats, set to run based on a family's true needs, keep air conditioning units from working too hard when no one is home. They're ideal for individuals or families who are away from home during set hours each day.
When used efficiently, homeowners can save about $150 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Yet more than 70 percent of homeowners with programmable thermostats do not use them, perhaps because they haven't taken the time to understand how. Retailing from about $20 to $60, these thermostats are easy to install and affordable.
Shutter shades are in: Cellular shades and shutters block heat and lower air conditioning costs. These blinds have air cells, provide additional insulation on the windows and have a reflective back to keep sunlight at bay. For the most value and greater energy efficiency, look for shades with more cells. Bigger cells offer better insulation.
Also consider insulating curtains or shutters to help decrease temperature exchange. Shutters are highly efficient because they're thicker than other window coverings.
Exterior shutters take more work to install and operate, but they help guard against air infiltration and heat. For maximum insulation, combine shutters with other window treatments. On hot days, remember to close window coverings on the south and west sides to keep homes cooler.
Put your garage to work: John Evans, of Millsboro, Del., found a lot of value insulating his garage door, given that garages are often the largest non-insulated area of a home. Glass fiber manufacturers sell garage door insulation kits with easy-to-follow instructions.
Evans also purchased screens for his garage opening that have vinyl insets. This way, he can open the door in the winter to allow sunlight in to heat the garage. The heat rises from the garage to warm his home above.
Shower water waste: Hot water heaters may consume about 20 percent of a home's electric bill. For example, says Charlie Szoradi, founder of Greensave.com in Wayne, Pa., hot water tanks are usually factory-set above 140 degrees. Instead, consider resetting tanks to 120 degrees.
“You don't need it at 140 because it's too hot,” Szoradi says. “You're overpaying on hot water and mixing it with cold so it's not scalding. Set it to warm instead.”
Wrap hot water heaters with insulation to reduce standby heat loss by 25 to 45 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Insulation provides an insulating value of at least R-8 (a measure of thermal resistance). For greater savings, put a timer on the water heater so it only cycles to heat water twice a day for a total of four hours.
Szoradi suggests investing in a high-performance shower head to cut water use by 40 percent compared with conventional showers.
Szoradi recommends a shower head with a 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) flow rate.
“They weren't as efficient in the past, but now you feel like you're taking a traditional shower, but you're not wasting as much water,” Szoradi says.
When used efficiently, homeowners can save about $150 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Yet more than 70 percent of homeowners with programmable thermostats do not use them, perhaps because they haven't taken the time to understand how. Retailing from about $20 to $60, these thermostats are easy to install and affordable.
Shutter shades are in: Cellular shades and shutters block heat and lower air conditioning costs. These blinds have air cells, provide additional insulation on the windows and have a reflective back to keep sunlight at bay. For the most value and greater energy efficiency, look for shades with more cells. Bigger cells offer better insulation.
Also consider insulating curtains or shutters to help decrease temperature exchange. Shutters are highly efficient because they're thicker than other window coverings.
Exterior shutters take more work to install and operate, but they help guard against air infiltration and heat. For maximum insulation, combine shutters with other window treatments. On hot days, remember to close window coverings on the south and west sides to keep homes cooler.
Put your garage to work: John Evans, of Millsboro, Del., found a lot of value insulating his garage door, given that garages are often the largest non-insulated area of a home. Glass fiber manufacturers sell garage door insulation kits with easy-to-follow instructions.
Evans also purchased screens for his garage opening that have vinyl insets. This way, he can open the door in the winter to allow sunlight in to heat the garage. The heat rises from the garage to warm his home above.
Shower water waste: Hot water heaters may consume about 20 percent of a home's electric bill. For example, says Charlie Szoradi, founder of Greensave.com in Wayne, Pa., hot water tanks are usually factory-set above 140 degrees. Instead, consider resetting tanks to 120 degrees.
“You don't need it at 140 because it's too hot,” Szoradi says. “You're overpaying on hot water and mixing it with cold so it's not scalding. Set it to warm instead.”
Wrap hot water heaters with insulation to reduce standby heat loss by 25 to 45 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Insulation provides an insulating value of at least R-8 (a measure of thermal resistance). For greater savings, put a timer on the water heater so it only cycles to heat water twice a day for a total of four hours.
Szoradi suggests investing in a high-performance shower head to cut water use by 40 percent compared with conventional showers.
Szoradi recommends a shower head with a 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) flow rate.
“They weren't as efficient in the past, but now you feel like you're taking a traditional shower, but you're not wasting as much water,” Szoradi says.
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