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9 Ways You're Wasting Energy at Home
Saving money is something we can all get behind. While working and learning from home, you're bound to spend more on heating and cooling costs throughout the year. Being smart about your HVAC use can save a lot of money.
Constantly Adjusting the Thermostat
Adjusting the thermostat even a few degrees can help to save money and energy in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in summer for the best savings.
Cranking the Heat Up in Winter
The first chill of the season is a great time to decorate for the holidays — but it's also a great excuse to break out some cozy favorites to make your home look and feel warmer! Adding fluffy throw blankets to the couch or flannel sheets on your bed is a cozy way to stay warm without using your heater. You can also invest in rugs and insulated curtains, which help to trap warm air inside your home and prevent cold feet in the mornings.
Relying on Alternative Heating Methods
If it's too cold in your home, don't try to rely on alternative heating solutions like space heaters or heating pads. These products are meant to heat one room or provide heat therapy for a sore muscle or body part, not keep you warm through the winter! If certain rooms in your house are colder than others, your heater may be faulty and require repairs.
Forgetting to Schedule Maintenance
Maintenance is important for all your larger home appliances. Schedule annual check-ups on your water heater, boiler, and HVAC unit to catch issues before they harm your systems. Catching these problems early can help to reduce the cost and impact of larger issues down the road.
Ignoring "Small" Leaks
Hidden leaks are a major source of wasted water and money. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, annual household leaks can waste up to 1 trillion gallons of water throughout the United States--the same amount of water used in approximately 11 million homes. Fixing small leaks can save a household 10% on their water bills annually.
Take Showers, Not Baths
You may have heard that showers use less water than baths, but how much water can you save? An average shower may flow at the rate of 2.5 gallons/minute. So a 10-minute shower may only use 25 gallons of water. A standard freestanding bathtub can hold around 58 gallons of water. Larger tubs may hold up to 80 gallons of water.
Setting the Water Heater Temperature Too High
Have you checked your water heater's temperature lately? To save energy, avoid dialing up the gauge past 120 degrees. You'll find this temperature to be perfect for taking showers and washing dishes.
Neglecting to Change the Air Filter
Your air filter is your home's best defense against airborne contaminants. Dust, dirt and debris, insect parts and shells, pet hair, and pollen are only a few of the contaminants that could be present in your home's air. When you change your air filter, you're not only protecting your indoor air quality, but you're saving money on your heating and cooling costs as well.
Your system has to work much harder to force air through a dirty or clogged air filter. By changing your filter every 30-90 days (depending on how frequently you use your system), you'll save money and energy while keeping your indoor air clean and breathable.
Using Inefficient Appliances
EnergyStar appliances can help people save $100 or more every year, and they don't cost any more than their non-certified counterparts. In the past, EnergyStar appliances were more expensive, so people were less inclined to buy them. Now, things have changed, and you can upgrade your appliances without breaking the bank.
Contact our heating, cooling, plumbing, and electric experts at Pine State Services for any of your home comfort needs! Our team is standing by: call to make your appointment today! (207) 747-1210