Overall, energy efficient homes offer significant savings compared to the conventional homes. The good news is that every homeowner can take part in energy efficiency. Here are the top five steps that you can take to make your home more energy efficient.
Update Electrical Outlets
Outdated electrical outlets can actually be a big contributor when it comes to energy use. Given significant technological advancements, especially in the last decade, options for more energy efficient outlets are numerous. You have more control over the energy use of your home than ever. From apps that allow you to control energy output with your phone to entire smart home options, there is guaranteed to be a solution to suit your particular electrical needs.
Replacing all of the electrical outlets in your home may seem like a like a daunting task. However, for a well-trained electrical technician, such as our expert electricians here at On Time Electrical, outlet upgrades can be completed more quickly than you might think. Our licensed electrical technicians can assess the current energy usage of your electrical outlets and then make recommendations based on your needs. Furthermore, they can also provide you with additional options for electrical outlet placement, especially for your larger appliances such as your washer and dryer and refrigerator.
Many homeowners don’t realize that electrical outlets are quite often not well insulated. This is especially true for outlets on exterior walls. Our highly skilled electricians can assess the quality of the insulation around your electrical outlets. Proper electrical outlet insulation can save you a good bit on your electricity bills.
Perform a Professional HVAC Tune-Up
Secondly, ensure that your HVAC is up to date on regular maintenance if you want to make your home energy efficient. Heating and cooling usually account for more than half of your monthly energy bills. Make sure that you develop a habit of servicing your HVAC system at least twice per year. The servicing prevents potential breakdowns that can cost you a lot of money.
Avoid DIY HVAC maintenance practices since they rarely work. Contact an professional HVAC expert and let them tune-up your system for optimal functionality.
Weatherize Your Home
Furthermore, sealing all air leaks or weatherizing your home is another efficient way of lowering your heating and cooling costs. The most common areas of air leaks in your home include, but are not limited to, doors, windows, air vents, and air ducts. Examine and make sure that there are no visible cracks or openings between the walls and the vent, doorframe, or windows. Hire a professional HVAC technician to check, repair, and clean your ductwork.
You can use caulk to seal common air leaks between immobile objects such as the walls and the windows. You can also apply weather stripping for cracks between movable parts such as operational doors and windows. Simple air sealing can cut down your energy costs by at least 10 percent. Air leaks can also happen through the ceiling, ductwork, floor, and the electrical wiring in your home.
Replace Your Light Bulbs
Consider upgrading your incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps can save up to three-quarters of the energy used by the conventional incandescent light bulbs. Did you know that the cost you incur in running a light bulb may be higher than the cost of purchasing the bulb itself?
Apart from requiring regular replacement, the traditional incandescent light bulbs also consume an excessive amount of electricity. Although the fluorescent bulbs may be expensive to purchase, they will end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. They also last longer. You can even mix them a bit and use both fluorescent bulbs and the conventional incandescent bulbs, and you will still see a drop in your energy bills.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Large home appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and ovens use a lot of energy. Upgrading to newer, more energy efficient appliances is probably one of the best investments that you can make for your home. Many homeowners think of appliance installation as a do-it-yourself project. You’re just plugging it in, right? Actually, there is more to appliance installation than just plugging it in. Large appliances in particular are often potential hazard. Improper installation can cause power surges, which is a primary cause of electrical fires. So, keep your home and your family safe. Hire a professional electrician to install your appliances properly.