With the change of seasons, we usually see dramatic shifts in our home heating and cooling costs. The Matheson Team has 5 money and energy saving tips for heating and cooling your home.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heating and cooling costs account for 56% of energy use in American homes. Kirk Lindstrom, vice president at Chicago-based Building Energy Experts, a company that conducts residential and commercial energy audits says, “Consumers need to focus on the building; if it has a lot of holes in it, you’ve got issues.”
Here are 5 smart ways to bundle up your home and save money on your energy bills. The cost savings estimates come from Building Energy Experts):
1. Insulation – beats high energy bills! Insulating your home minimizes heat transfer in summer and winter, and when properly ventilated, it controls moisture too.
Leaky ducts create 10-30% of the cost of cooling and heating your home so be sure to seal duct work, plumbing and cable outlets.
Check to see that your attic insulation is up to code for your area. A good place to start learning what insulation level is recommended for your home is by using The Department of Energy’s Insulation Calculator.
Cost: Bringing insulation up to recommended levels costs approximately $500-$1000
Savings: 20-30% off your monthly bill, according to Lindstrom.
2. Program your Thermostat. The Department of Energy estimates a 10% savings on your energy bills by adjusting your thermostat 10-15 degrees (warmer in summer and cooler in winter) by programming your thermostat for the 8 hours you’re at work.
Cutting it back when you go to bed will save you additional energy and dollars.
Cost: Programmable thermostat – $40 – 70 plus installation
Savings: 10% on energy bills
3. Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater – Estimates from The Department of Energy reveal that water heaters generate 14-25% of the average monthly energy bill.
Most water heaters are factory set at 140 degrees fahrenheit, which is enough to scald your skin. The DOE recommends 120-degree water.
Another way to curb your costs is to reduce your water consumption by using low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
Cost: Free
Savings: 3-5% for every 10-degree set back.
4. Energy-efficient windows – Outdated windows are also a major cause of higher energy use. Energy efficient windows enable homes to take advantage of free solar heating during chillier weather.
Cost: Energy-efficient windows start at around $150.
Savings: Upgrading windows throughout your home can save 16-21% on energy costs.
5. Better seals on chimneys can reduce your energy bill 1-2% in summer and winter.
There are two things you can do to minimize the cool and hot air that goes up the chimney. First, assure your damper is closed. The second and best way to reduce energy loss through your chimney is to put glass fireplace doors on the opening.
Cost: $300-500 for glass chimney doors
Savings: 1-2% savings on your heating and cooling bills monthly
Save money on your heating and cooling bills
There are plenty of additional things you and your family can do to reduce energy costs:
- If you have space heaters use those that are quartz or oil filled. (They look like old radiators.) These space heaters are more energy efficient and much safer than the toaster-like space heaters.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan blades. In winter blades should turn counter-clockwise and in summer blades should turn clockwise.
- Change light-bulbs on your most frequently used lights to compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs. Over the life of the bulb you save $40 in energy costs.
- Download an energy savings application to your smartphone to monitor your energy usage, adjust home temperatures and turn lights and appliances on/off. The cost of the applications run from $2 up.
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When you are looking to buy or sell a home in an Arizona Golf Community, reach out to me at 480-405-4228 or fill out the contact form below to schedule an appointment to discuss your home needs.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
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