Energy Savings for Your Home. When comparing your average North American home to an energy efficient house, it’s possible to reduce annual energy bills from 40 percent to 50 percent. Energy conscious homeowners should consider developing their own energy conservation plan for their home. This is both an environmentally friendly and economically sound action which the whole family can participate in. Get the kids involved by using charts and graphs and showing them the money and energy saving results.
Although we all have to do it, most people don’t realize that heating your home constitutes your largest energy expenditure. Even a little conservation of heating fuel goes a long way toward achieving a lower utility bill. Dialing down the thermostat one degree during the winter can result in about 1 to 3 percent less fuel use, and a similar reduction in your heating bill. Your furnace should be cleaned, lubricated and have regular maintenance to ensure it is running at its peak efficiency. A dirty air filter can make your furnace run longer to heat your home and should be replaced on a regular basis. Setting back your thermostat at night or when nobody is home will also add to your savings. Most professionals do not recommend a washable air filter for high efficiency furnaces as the air movement restriction will force your furnace fan to work harder and make your furnace less efficient. Use as a minimum a pleated air filter with metal strips to create a electrostatic effect.
When doing laundry use cold water and save from 85 to 90 percent of the energy you would normally use. Front loading machines use less water and energy, up to fifty percent. Also wash full loads to ensure you are fully utilizing energy being consumed. Most newer detergents are suitable for cold water washing.
You can make a lot of progress toward improving the energy efficiency in your home by simply plugging the many places through which air can get in or get out. Plugging your home is called “air sealing,” and it is one of the most important first steps to take when weatherizing your house to increase its energy efficiency.our windows and doors allow a lot of energy to escape which is costing you money. Ensure all your window frames, door frames and sills are caulked using a silicone based sealant. Make sure your heat registers are not being blocked by furniture.
Water heating is the next largest home energy load after heating and cooling. The best way to reduce water heating energy use is to ensure your water heater’s thermostat is set to 120°F (you no longer have to set your water heater to a higher temperatures to sanitize dishes if your dishwasher has a booster heater). Improvements such as installing low-flow faucets and shower heads, and insulating hot water pipes will also help you save money on water heating.
Most central air conditioning units last about 20 years. At 12 years old, your air conditioning unit is passing its mid-life point. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20-40 percent of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model. The most efficient models have a SEER rating of at least 15.
Ensure your Home Inspector is up to date on energy efficient systems and methods. When buying a home in Barrie ON call Roger Frost, the Premier Barrie home inspector