It does not take a scientist to tell us we all like saving money. Some individuals like saving money a little more than others. For example, becoming an extreme coupon clipper sounds like a great idea, but honestly, who has time for that? By cutting energy costs, and saving money a little at a time, one can be just as rewarded as saving fifty cents on a can of peaches. Below are six habits of your highly energy efficient neighbors.
1. First, do not be afraid to spend a little money in order to save money. Replacing your broken or outdated appliances with energy efficient appliances will cut energy costs. Also, replace incandescent light bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs. These bulbs will cost more, but uses far less energy and they last much longer.
2. During colder months, set your thermostat to a cooler temperature, especially while you sleep or while no one is home. You don’t have to go so far as to turn your furnace off, but setting the internal temperature of your home lower will save hundreds during the winter. Do the opposite during the summer.
3. If you have a ceiling fan, set the fan direction too counterclockwise during summer months. A ceiling fan uses less energy than a full home air conditioner. Having your fans direction set properly will have the respective room feeling eight degrees cooler. Do the opposite during winter months.
4. The most obvious way to cut energy is by simply turning off lights in your home. Doing so will add up greatly over time. Additionally, unplugging appliances which do not get much use from the wall will keep energy ‘leakage’ to a minimum.
5. Change your furnace and air conditioner filters often. A dirty filter reduces air flow which, in turn, will have your units working harder.
6. Lastly, and if you truly want to make a difference in regards to your energy consumption, go green. Solar power and wind power are becoming more and more accessible to home owners. Another option, and in regards to your homes climate control, consider a geo thermal system. A geo thermal system, when used in connection with a heat pump, utilizes heated and cooled air from deep underground. These systems are also becoming more accessible to home owners.
One does not need a degree in advanced science in order to save on energy costs. However, one may benefit from an advance degree in home discipline in order to remember to follow all of these steps.