How to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
The average family spends more than $2,000 per month on utility bills, for heating, cooling, hot water and cooking, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Just think what you could do with the extra money if you could just reduce that amount by 10 percent or even five percent. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to increase your home’s energy efficiency and save your family money as well as reduce your household’s carbon footprint.
1. Seal Gaps in Doors and Windows Annually
According to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, sealing any gaps at least once a year is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. All of these gaps cause conditioned air to escape your home. And, don’t limit yourself to doors and windows. Look for additional gaps in the attic, around electrical outlets, along baseboards and around pipes and wires that enter your home.
2. Invest in Energy Savings
Investing in energy-saving devices and systems can also dramatically reduce your home’s energy use. For example, installing a programmable thermostat can reduce your energy usage by around $180 per year (on average). And, opting for a tankless water heating system can reduce your annual energy bill by around $100 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
3. Pay attention Your Appliances
Appliances, such as your refrigerator and oven, make up approximately 20 percent of your monthly energy use. Reduce that number by situating your refrigerator and freezer well away from your stove, matching your pan size to the size of the burner and avoiding opening your refrigerator and freezer as well as possible.
Reliable Repair Service in Lake Oconee
Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is a family-based company that provides heating and cooling solutions to the great residents and business owners of Lake Oconee, Greene County, and surrounding areas in the great state of Georgia. Contact us today to learn more about how to make your home more energy efficient!