Energy efficiency tips abound. They are free, many can be accomplished with little or no expense and can save a homeowner or any resident paying utility bills real money. Here are our favorites:
Energy Efficiency Tip #1
Change your lifestyle! Each time someone turns off a light bulb in their residence the electric meter spins slower and less money is being spent. Not only that, but less electricity needs to be produced at the power plant, transmitted over energy wasting electric power wires and burned in the home.
In this category of energy efficiency tips that can be easily accomplished, installing a new programmable thermostat and using it saves money big-time. To summarize with scientific data from a recent Canadian study, during the winter, the lower the setback temperature is set to, the greater the savings. Gas heat at setback temperatures of 61 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit day and night during absences and sleep periods produced measurable savings of 13.4% and 10.4% respectively. With electric heat, savings were only 2.3% and 1.9% respectively due to the slower recovery period with resultant greater utility use.
During air conditioning periods, the savings with the setback to 77 degrees Fahrenheit was 11% when averaging cloudy and sunny days. However, the data showed that living in home with a permanent setting of 75 degrees without adjusting the temperature for absent or sleeping periods resulted in a 23% savings. These are huge numbers from such a simple energy efficiency tip.
Energy Efficiency Tip #2
Get a home energy audit from an accredited home energy auditor. Due to the natural settling of soils over time, exposure to the elements, deterioration of building materials and the development of modern energy efficiency materials, older homes are less energy efficient than newer homes, so owners of older homes can benefit greatly from a home energy audit. A home that is more than 25 years old can save an average of 35% on energy utility costs and if over 50 years old, experts estimate a 38% improvement. Complying with this energy efficiency tip and investing in a $350 dollar home energy audit returns large benefits over a long period of time if the recommended improvements are made.
Energy Efficiency Tip #3
Invest in yourself. In a stock market that is negative and bank saving account rates around 1% or less, a sixteen percent investment looks highly profitable. After taking into account the cost of upgrades, together with the home energy audit cost, the average return on investment is 16% for energy efficiency improvements. Ten percent profit a year would make most people happy, so an energy efficient tip like this at nearly twice the benefit is superb.
Schedule Your Home Energy Audit Today
So, what to do? First have a home energy Audit by an Alban energy auditor. The auditor’s report will guide the renovation program. Second, arrange for a residential energy renovation. The article about renovations will provide you with more detailed information.