Have you ever wondered if your home was as energy efficient as it could be? It’s easier than you think to determine if you’re conserving energy and saving money. The U.S. Department of Energy has put together some helpful information for homeowners so they can assess where improvements can be made immediately, and plan for other improvements in the future. The most important thing you can do as a homeowner is to make a start; doing nothing is more costly than any energy-saving improvement you could choose to make. There are many easy, low-cost ways to begin saving energy today.
Every home can count on having a few problem areas where losing is heat is common. Fortunately, most of these issues can be easily fixed once you know where to look. Here are few simple ways to reduce household energy loss:
- Apply do-it-yourself sealing wrap around windows and put air stoppers in front of doorways.
- Change incandescent light bulbs out with energy-efficient light bulbs.[/list_item]
- Do you have a fireplace? Make sure the damper is closed so warm air isn’t flowing out of the flue.
- Turn lights off in rooms when you leave, and don’t leave electronic devices like TV’s and radios running if no one is in the room.
- If you forget to turn off your outside lights during the day, consider installing a timer or sensor.
- Once you’ve completed these basic things around your home, consider calling a professional technician for an energy audit and more advice on how to increase energy savings in your home.
Making an initial assessment of your energy use is only the first step. Making sure your HVAC system is properly maintained, insulation is appropriately installed, and installing energy saving appliances are wonderful long-term applications that will keep the energy savings coming. For more in-depth information on how you can make your home more energy efficient, contact Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical. We have been proudly serving the Charlotte area since 1972 and are happy to answer questions and offer expert advice.