An energy-efficient home is not only more economical; it's also healthier. Poor air quality caused by humidity, drafts and hot windows in the summer, are all lessened by improvements in energy efficiency. With the onset of spring and summer, most energy bills will go down because there won't be as much demand for heat and use of lights in the house will be reduced. Below are a few things the home owner can do to reduce the bills even more:
Kitchen
Keep the refrigerator condenser coil free from dust by frequent vacuuming.
Make sure the magnetic door seal on the refrigerator closes tightly. You can check this by sticking an envelope in the refrigerator door and closing it. If it falls out on its own or you can pull it out too easily, the seal may not be adequate.
Check the refrigerator's temperature setting. Most refrigerators will have a gauge above the top shelf in the back that you can set. If you're getting ice in your liquids in the refrigerator, it is set too cold!
If you have a microwave, use it instead of the oven when you can. The typical microwave uses 40% less energy than a conventional oven.
Run only full loads in the dishwasher. Most energy used by dishwashers is to heat a certain amount of water, so running smaller loads wastes both energy and water. Air dry dishes for added savings.
Bathroom/Laundry Room
Set the hot water heater thermostat to no more than 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating water is a huge expense, and there's no sense in heating it up any more than needed.
Repair leaking water taps.
Don't overload the clothes dryer, and anytime you can set it to "low heat" or use a clothes line for drying, you're saving money.
Clean the lint filter after each use.
Living Areas
Change light bulbs. Condensed florescent light bulbs (bearing the Energy Star logo) are 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. When just one room in every home is brightened by Energy Star lighting, the change will keep over one trillion pounds of carbon dioxide out of our air. The light bulbs are a bit more expensive initially, but last 7-10 years, versus 6-8 months for the typical bulb.
Keep windows and doors closed to prevent loss of cooled air.
Close off uncooled areas of the home.
Overall
Tighten up your home, save on cooling costs and be more comfortable. Add insulation and seal air leaks. This will help keep the cool air you've got, inside the home. If you aren't sure where you might have air leaks, light a candle and place it next to the opening you want to check. If the flame flickers, too much air is coming through the opening.
These steps will increase comfort, reduce pollution and allow you to relax knowing your money isn't being wasted. Every dollar you save helps your pocketbook and the environment.
