Real Estate - Saving Money and Energy in Your Home
by Nancy Woodward
You can save some of both with a little effort. Energy bills rise as the rates move upward. So why not make an effort to conserve your hard earned money and as a byproduct, help the environment at the same time?
1. Reduce wasted energy
Limit showers. Use a simple timer - thirty minutes is the max. Since water heaters suck energy, this will help. Just maintaining the temperature of the water in the water heater drains your energy. When you empty it and refill, you just keep the clock on the meter moving upward.
There are systems on the market today that don't use tanks!! Bosch has a system that creates hot water on demand. These units start at about $500 but there is a tax credit available and the long term savings must be considered.
2. Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are more expensive to install but they are environmentally sound. They can reduce your heating and cooling bill by as much as fifty percent. Check out the websites of the manufacturers.
3. All those Lights
I researched this subject for myself. Using small fluorescent light bulbs consumes less energy overall.
4. Windows and Doors
Are your windows air tight? Cracks around the windows allows leakage. When it is time to replace your windows, consider double pain. The energy efficient windows today can cut costs by 15%.
Replacing doors and windows taking advantage of modern efficient models will curb energy costs. You can do this over time as your budge allows. I saw a window that allows you to tint them in the summer but lets all that winter sun flow though.
These are four areas I suggest you check out. There are many more areas you can research to help you make good choices that will save you money in energy costs in the future. Sites online will provide you with good research.
You can save some of both with a little effort. Energy bills rise as the rates move upward. So why not make an effort to conserve your hard earned money and as a byproduct, help the environment at the same time?
1. Reduce wasted energy
Limit showers. Use a simple timer - thirty minutes is the max. Since water heaters suck energy, this will help. Just maintaining the temperature of the water in the water heater drains your energy. When you empty it and refill, you just keep the clock on the meter moving upward.
There are systems on the market today that don't use tanks!! Bosch has a system that creates hot water on demand. These units start at about $500 but there is a tax credit available and the long term savings must be considered.
2. Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are more expensive to install but they are environmentally sound. They can reduce your heating and cooling bill by as much as fifty percent. Check out the websites of the manufacturers.
3. All those Lights
I researched this subject for myself. Using small fluorescent light bulbs consumes less energy overall.
4. Windows and Doors
Are your windows air tight? Cracks around the windows allows leakage. When it is time to replace your windows, consider double pain. The energy efficient windows today can cut costs by 15%.
Replacing doors and windows taking advantage of modern efficient models will curb energy costs. You can do this over time as your budge allows. I saw a window that allows you to tint them in the summer but lets all that winter sun flow though.
These are four areas I suggest you check out. There are many more areas you can research to help you make good choices that will save you money in energy costs in the future. Sites online will provide you with good research.
posted by Nan at 12:36 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home