5 Tips on How to Save Home Energy

By Orlando Racelis

In today's economy, every little thing you do that will lead to trimming off your expenses will go a long way. Check out the following 5 tips on how to save home energy to get you started on saving some money by cutting down on your bills. At the same time, you will also be doing your part in taking care of and preserving the environment.

1. Maintain your furnace properly. Keep it well lubricated, clean, and correctly adjusted. A well-maintained furnace will function much more efficiently and use lesser energy. This will significantly decrease the cost of operating it. Also, check your filter. You should clean it at least once every two months. If it is too dirty to clean, consider replacing it with a new one.

2. Get a programmable thermostat for your home. A programmable thermostat is very useful in helping you save home energy. You can save 2% of your home heating needs for each degree that you turn down your thermostat. With the use of a programmable thermostat, you can automatically lower your thermostat setting even when you are asleep at night or when there is nobody home.

3. Make the most out of your appliances. This goes especially for your washing machine and your dishwasher. As much as possible, always use these appliances with a full load. If you are looking for a new washing machine, choose a front loading model. This type of washing machine is much more efficient than other models. It actually decreases your laundry water consumption by up to 40% while decreasing your electricity consumption by up to 50%. Some dishwasher models on the other hand have an "energy saver" mode for air drying your items. If your dishwasher has this setting, use it.

4. Seal tight your home properly. Leaks and gaps make it more difficult to heat your home and keep it warm on cold days and it makes it more difficult to cool on warm days. This makes your heating equipment work a lot harder and a lot longer thereby making them use a lot more energy. Use special weather tapes on your doors and windows. Apply sealant to window sills, door frames, and other joints where leaks may occur. Add insulation to your walls, especially in the basement.

5. Pay attention to your lights. Usually, bulbs with higher power ratings are installed in areas that do not need it. Use the lowest wattage needed for a specific function. You can also choose to use CFL type bulbs to further save on your home energy.

The five tips discussed here will get you started on saving some money. You can save home energy by making all of your home appliances work as efficiently as possible. In addition, you will be contributing to the improvement of your community's environment.

Orlando Racelis is an electrical engineer and a practitioner of home energy-efficiency methods. For more great energy saving house tips visit http://homeenergysavingssecrets.com/EbookInfo/Tips

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