first “tips to reduce your electricity bills” idea
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Reducing Home Energy Costs
Notes:
Reducing your home’s energy use has many benefits beyond saving money on your electricity costs. Saving energy means less pollution in the air and water and less waste of natural resources. It makes the environment a healthier place for everyone to live. Take minor actions to conserve it.
Saving on your electricity bill means focusing on conservation (especially in heating and cooling your home.) If you are in a deregulated market, like Texas, you can shop to get the cheapest rates. Electricity rates in Texas are very competitive. Consumers can compare rates online to get the best deal.
So, to help you save on your electricity bills, here are seven tips you can practice at home:
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Perform An Energy Audit:
Before implementing any energy-saving habits, it’s wise to get insight into how much electricity you are currently consuming. To get this done, you need an expert.
- With experts, they will thoroughly inspect your home for air leaks, insulation issues, and areas where it’s possible to utilize energy-efficient lighting.
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- After you finish your power audit, it will be much easier to see where you can save energy.
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What’s Done In a Home Energy Audit:
An energy audit will likely complete the following steps when review your home on energy savings. This list was compiled by the US Department of Energy:
In The Attic:
- Inspect insulation
- Check for major air leakage issues in places like chimney, recessed lighting, and HVAC dusts.
- Inspect wiring and safety issues.
- Note any signs of water leakage.
Basement & Utility Room:
- Furnace: test for fuel leaks, change in the furnace filter, clean the furnace blower.
- Water Heater: note thermostat setting and insulation on tank and piping; test draft hood.
- Perform combustion appliance testing on all combustible fuel fired appliances.
- Inspect duct system and dryer venting.
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Kitchen/Bathroom:
- Look for electrical or other hazards.
- Assess electrical appliance energy use with a watt meter or manufacturer nameplate.
- Check for moisture and excess water vapor.
- Access vent fans for flow rate.
General House Review:
- Inspect windows and doors for excess window condensation.
- Check for air leaks around outlets, fixtures, door and windows.
- Check for wall insulation and framing type.
- Note thermostat type and setting.
- Note and test smoke & carbon monoxide detectors.
Resource Information:
Information obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy - —— next topic ——
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Close Up Any Air Leaks:
If the energy audit finds any air leaks, you might want to seal them. It is vital, especially if you hear or feel a draft coming through your windows or door frames.
- Consequently, your heaters will have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
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- You can stop air leaks by using pressure-sensitive weatherstrips available in rubber and plastic varieties. Because they’re backed with adhesive, these can keep the air from entering or exiting your windows and doors.
- Cushioning is another benefit of using them, as it lessens the likelihood of things like doors and windows slamming shut.
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Resource Information:
Weatherstripping (from amazon) – door weatherstripping view ideas – window weatherstripping view ideas – door drafts view ideas – spray form insulation view ideas - —— next topic ——
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Cover Up Outlets:
Outlets are one of many inconspicuous sites where air from the outside may seep inside your house. Your heating and cooling system might be stressed by even a tiny amount of outside air.
- It makes your energy costs go up.
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- On a cold day, place your hand in front of each outlet. Your outlet isn’t performing its job correctly if you can feel cold air leaking through the openings. To solve this, use plastic outlet covers purchased at any hardware store.
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Resource Information:
Outlet Covers (from amazon) – outlet cover box view ideas – baby proof covers view ideas – electrical wall plates view ideas - —— next topic ——
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Adjust Your Lighting:
Turning the light off when you leave a room to save on your electric cost is already a given. But there’s more you can do than flip a switch. You can adjust your lighting by replacing all of your light bulbs with fluorescent lights or LEDs to change the illumination in your home.
- Although fluorescent lights cost more than regular light bulbs, the energy savings will have paid for the extra cost after nine months.
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- On the flip side, LED bulbs take things a step further. In addition to saving 75–85 percent in electricity, an LED light bulb lasts longer than a traditional light bulb.
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Resource Information:
LED Light Bulbs standard bulbs bath vanity chandelier garage refrigerator dimmer bulb changing color wifi bulbs Using Home Automation:
You can setup home automation to turn lights on and off during scheduled times. Likewise, sensors can be placed in room that turns lights off if there are zero movement in the room.
Using automation and energy efficients lighting is one of the best ways to reduce light energy consumption. And home automation can be extended to include home security, controlling appliances, and turning off sections of the home no matter where you are located by using your hand-held device.
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Imagine having your home controls and messaging at your fingertips and voice command. Whether it’s your lighting, appliances, shopping, or morning prep.
The future is coming! So start by adding these following gadgets that will make your home smart and functional.
view post: (new win) making your home smart with these simple ideas - —— next topic ——
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Be Mindful Of Your Water Usage:
Ironically, hot water is the second-biggest electricity cost in a home, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Besides fixing any leaky faucets and making sure you don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth, there are other things you can do to save money on water.
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- Taking shorter showers is an excellent first step. Because heating uses so much energy, taking a shorter shower can help you save more while helping the environment.
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Resource Information:
Tools to use to monitor and save water usage:
Water Saving Solutions (from amazon) – low-flow shower heads view ideas – dual flush toilets view ideas – water-saving faucets view ideas – water-saving toilet kit view ideas – automatic water shut off view ideas – water monitoring systems view ideas – water leakage detection view ideas Living In a Drought:
No matter where you live, you need to conserve and save water as needed. No reason to waste. This is especially true is drought stricken areas. So what can you do to save water?
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Droughts cause negative impacts on food production, soil erosion, sanitation, general hygiene, and other environment impacts. Droughts can be temporary or long-lasting – and the continued effects of droughts can occur in the same area.
view post: (new win) living in a drought – ways to conserve and save water - —— next topic ——
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Do Your Laundry With Cold Water:
Unless the fabric specifically calls for it, avoid washing your clothes or linens in hot water. In some cases, cold water is better because hot water can set some stains on the fabric.
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- Additionally, cold water washing works well to remove stains and is acceptable for most things you put in the washing machine. With that in mind, doing so saves up to 90% of the energy your washing machine needs by heating the water.
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Into the Laundry Room:
The laundry room! Not one of the most prized areas of the home. When it comes to remodeling, we think of kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But not laundry rooms.
But maybe you should. Doing laundry for a family is a major operation and will continue to be so as your family grows and even after your family leaves.
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If you are going to remodel – or build an extension or addition – that will become the laundry room area, let’s begin with an empty room where the laundry design will take place.
Laundry Room Ideas (google images) Laundry Room Design view samples Laundry Room Dimensions view samples Laundry Room Appliances view samples Laundry Room w/ Sink view samples Closet Laundry Room view samples Small Laundry Room view samples Basement Laundry Room view samples view post: (new win) laundry room design and functionality - —— next topic ——
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Change The Air Filter:
When you’re a homeowner, you have to keep track of many micro tasks that might easily fall by the wayside if you don’t pay attention. So, failing to replace your HVAC air filter regularly might result in less effective heating and cooling and increased power bills.
- As a rule of thumb, you should replace the air filter in your HVAC system every month.
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- To avoid accidentally running up more significant heating or cooling expenses than necessary, set a reminder on your phone to change your air filter every so often.
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Resource Information:
HVAC Filters and Appliances (from amazon) – HVAC air filters view ideas – air purifiers view ideas – portable AC unit view ideas – space heaters view ideas Avoiding Mold Growth:
Changing our your HVAC filter regularly and having good ventilation helps to reduce pollen and mold that can cause allergic reactions.
Mold is a type of fungi that is present both indoors and outdoors. There are many different types of mold, with some being more harmful than others to humans.
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Some molds can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues in people. Unfortunately, many homes are infected by mold and fungi each year.
view post: (new win) does your home layout affect the likelihood of mold growth?
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Final Thoughts:
You don’t have to spend much time, money, or effort to lower your electricity rates. While significant investments can reduce your monthly electricity expenses, some alternatives don’t necessitate such a large outlay.
- If you remember all of these tips, you’re sure to reduce your energy costs.
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