Five Energy Saving Tips

For homeowners and renters alike, keeping your energy bills down during the Fall and Winter months can be a focus. Thankfully, making small adjustments to your home and daily routines can result in huge savings that have a large impact on your bank account. Here are a few simple tips to save money on your heating bill and how to make your home energy efficient.

1. Lower Your Thermostat 

We all know of the old tale of not touching your thermostat, but as we move into the new decade, equipped with more information than ever, we have to change this narrative. Instead of never touching your thermostat, you should actually be lowering the temperature when we aren’t at home. Before leaving for work, lower 3-5 degrees below what you normally keep it. (Hopefully no more than 70 and between 66 and 68 degrees for efficiency). If your home is well insulated, it won’t take long to warm up again. If however you have an older home with no insulation, consider insulating your home before doing anything else. A larger investment that can pay for itself in just a few seasons. And you will literally feel a difference. 

To help you stay on top of monitoring your household temperature consider investing into a smart device that tracks the temperature and gives you easy access to adjust, even when you aren’t at home. Smart systems allow you to adjust the heat remotely, meaning you can turn the temperature up, as you start your commute home! So it’s nice and cozy when walk in the door. 

2. Turn Off Your Space Heater 

Turning off your thermostat completely and setting a space heater to 90 degrees in the rooms you use most often (living room, bedroom, or office) seems ideal and more efficient but that is another tall-tale. In fact, putting a space heater into individual rooms actually uses more energy, rather than letting your home’s heating (or cooling) system work evenly. If there are rooms you desire to be a different temperature, open/close vents in those specific rooms, investing in a heating-cooling system that allows you to set rooms at varying temperatures and use humidifiers or dehumidifiers. Smart home systems, are the most efficient way to adjust temperature in your home room by room. 

3. Change Out Light Bulbs 

This is a big one. If the lights in your home aren’t Light Emitting Diode (LED) , make it so. Have you noticed outlets that frequently trip? Changing your light bulbs to LED maybe the solution. Utility companies often offer rebates this time of year for upgrading to more efficient lights. And here is a no brainer, (but one so many of us are guilty of!) replace burnt-out light bulbs. In summary; using efficient light bulbs could potentially save you hundreds of dollars a year on your power bill and last a lifetime. Well worth the investment. 

4. Unplug Chargers When Not in Use 

Make a routine of unplugging your chargers before you leave for the day. Leaving your chargers plugged into the wall socket, whether it be a phone, laptop, or tablet charger, is not good energy efficiency practice. Simply removing your chargers from the sockets saves energy. Consider this: store all of your chargers in a basket. Use outlets that are close to the basket exclusively as the Charging Station. Intentionally placing these in a location that is visible before you leave for work in the morning. You will be reminded to unplug them before you leave. 

5. Insulate your Attic and Basement 

Insulating your basement and crawlspace. Most all homes already have this. However if you don’t, put it at the top of the list to get done! Your crawl space/basement and attic are the first to get done. Next would be the exterior walls. If you are buying a newer home, you absolutely have these items as they are requirements for new homes. 

Before insulating your home (or adding insulation!), check with your city to see if there are rebates available. A local insulation professional will know this information as well. Best to hire a professional who is local and knowledgeable of current rebates your city is offering. If you are in the process of buying a home, you will discover during the inspection if your home is insulated. This (like anything else) can be negotiated and complete before the home is officially yours.

CALL/TEXT Realtor Jenny Wetzel for more information (253) 381-9788. or EMAIL Jenny@jennywetzelhomes.com