Home energy is one of the largest expenses for families every year, yet few people know the basics about getting the most efficiency from their systems. Read below for a few tips and tricks to cutting energy costs at home and save money so you can spend it on your kids and even yourself.
Making some minor changes to your home’s appliances can go a long way in saving money. This begins with the temperature of your water heater. Most water heaters are set to operate at a temperature higher than you will actually ever need in your home. You can save money every month by setting your heater 20° cooler.
Two other appliances that can waste your money without you knowing are the washing machine and the dishwasher. When doing laundry, most people do not realize how much more it costs to use hot water than warm or cold. Your clothes will still be cleaned at cooler temperatures of water–only at a cheaper cost. Additionally, turning the drying cycle off of your dishwasher will cut your energy costs.
Another thing to pay attention to in a central home cooling system is your air filter. Make sure this gets changed at the recommended intervals. It takes more energy and money to force air through a dirty filter. In fact, the money wasted on cooling through a dirty filter would more than cover the cost of replacing the filter!
These tips can significantly reduce the cost to cool your home, but the most fundamental rule for air-conditioning efficiency is refraining from producing excess heat. When turned on, items such as light bulbs and computer equipment actually produce a great deal of heat, so turn them off when you are not using them.
Not all household energy-saving techniques originate inside the home. Though it is more of an investment, properly preparing the outside of your house will prevent energy leakage–and an empty wallet–in the long run. The easiest of these tasks is sealing cracks in your home’s structure. A little caulk can go a long way to cut your heating and cooling expenses.
Saving money on your home’s energy is all about paying attention to detail. While these tips and tricks are a great way to begin, heating and cooling companies employ experts in the field that can provide you with even more information. To learn about the latest energy-efficient appliances or cutting energy costs in your home, contact TalkLocal to easily find a appliance repair, heating and cooling, and even electricians in your area.
