Home Energy Saving Tips
Check out these green tips from our friends at PathStone:
Most people have their water heater temperature set too high, which wastes energy and can be a scalding hazard. In order to check your hot water temperature, run just the hot water in a faucet that is close to the water heater and measure the temperature with a digital cooking thermometer. If it’s over 120 degrees you should turn down your water heater.
Did you know water heaters are the second largest energy users in your home? Find out how much can you save with a Heat Pump Water Heater here. Then have a whole house energy assessment done.
For those who are thinking of going solar…Keep in mind that by reducing overall energy consumption, a homeowner can reduce the size of the PV system needed to offset energy use. For this reason, implementing energy efficiency measures inside the home in conjunction with the installation of a PV system is often seen as best practice!
Did you know that one 60 Watt light bulb costs about $70 a year to leave on 24 hours a day? One 9.5 Watt LED bulb on for the same amount of time costs about $11 a year! Proof that small changes can create big impacts.
A typical home can lose 20-30% of the air that moves through its heating ducts because of poorly sealed connections and other gaps. That means you could be wasting dollars—and losing control of your room temperatures—during the cold winter months and beyond. Find out how much you are wasting with a home energy assessment.
Devices that are left plugged-in use power even when not in use. Fix it with an advanced power strip that can turn energy flow off to one device not being used or several devices at once. This could save 30% on your plug load.
Ice dams on your roof are a sign of more than bad weather. You’re likely losing heat through leaks in the attic which is melting the under layer of snow. Prevent this from happening to your home through proper air sealing and attic insulation – and reduce costs and eliminate mold, too.
posted by Courtney Klee, Outreach Coordinator, PathStone Corporation
