Saturday’s high near 60 degrees was all we needed to start thinking about Spring, household updates, and projects for the year! Some of our favorite household updates are the ones that save us money! You might not be able to cash in on tax credits for some of these home improvements but, we promise the long-term savings they bring are enough to make the switch!
- Update Your Water Heater – Did you know heating water accounts for 14-25% of your homes energy use?!? If you don’t already have a highly efficient water heater investing in one may save you a lot of money.
- Central Air Conditioners – If you’ve been putting off updating your Air Conditioner it may actually save you money in the long run to invest in a new one now. ENERGY STAR labeled air conditioners are 15% more efficient than other conventional models. If you are in the market for a new CAC be sure to ask and look for energy efficient rebate programs.
- New Windows / Doors & Insulation – Did you know that you lose roughly 30% of energy though cracks and slits in your window and doors? Replacing your doors and windows with energy efficient ones will help you lower your heating and cooling bills. You should also make your home as well insulated as possible! According to Green Energy Solutions, INC., insulation reduces heating and cooling costs by up to 20%!
- Low-flow Fixtures – These can reduce your water flow by as much as 50% and a low flow showerhead costs as little as $20. They are inexpensive and generally easy to install.
- Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs – According to ENERGY STAR you can save around $6 per year by switching to fluorescent bulbs. Although they are more expensive they last 4 to 10 times longer.
- Programmable Thermostats – These are usually more accurate than regular thermostats and according to Energy Star when they are used properly they can save you up to $150 a year!
As mentioned in our newsletter, you can estimate the energy savings for some of the above improvements and many others using this free Home Energy Saver tool. This tool also allows you to calculate your home’s energy consumption and compare it to homes the same size as yours. We hope you are as excited about some of these home improvements as we are!