Every home can use a few pick-me-ups when it comes to energy efficiency. As our houses age, they naturally lose some of their original energy efficiency. But don’t worry, there is a simple way to test your home and determine just home must energy you are currently wasting.

In order to find out just how energy efficient your home currently is you can perform a do-it-yourself home energy audit. Once this audit is completed and you know just what needs to be addressed, it is time to get to work. But there are other ways to reduce energy consumption besides home improvement projects (though these will prove the most effective).

Below you will find several fast and free methods, provided by the California Energy Commission, to improve your home’s energy efficiency and help reduce your monthly energy bill.

1.    Let the sunshine in. Open drapes and let the sun heat your home for free. Close them again at sundown so they help insulate.

2.    Rearrange your rooms. Move your furniture around so you are sitting near interior walls – exterior walls and older windows are likely to be drafty. Don’t sit in the draft.

3.    Keep it shut. Traditional fireplaces are an energy loser – it’s best not to use them because they pull heated air out of the house and up the chimney. When not in use, make absolutely sure the damper is closed.

4.    Eliminate wasted energy. Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Unplug that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don’t truly need it – this seemingly convenient way to keep extra drinks cold adds 10-25 percent to your electric bill. Turn off kitchen and bath-ventilating fans after they’ve done their job – these fans can blow out a house-full of heated air if inadvertently left on.

5.    Shorten showers. Simply reducing that lingering time by a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons of hot water per month for a family of four. Showers account for 2/3 of your water heating costs. Cutting your showers in half will reduce your water heating costs by 33 percent.

6.    Use appliances efficiently. Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer. Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer’s energy use by 75 percent.

7.    Put your computer and monitor to sleep. Most computers come with the power management features turned off. On computers using Windows, open your power management software and set it so your computer goes to sleep if you’re away from your machine for 5 to 15 minutes. Those who use Macintosh computers look for the setting in your Control Panels called “Energy Saver” and set it accordingly. When you’re done using your computer, turn it off (see next tip). Do not leave it in sleep mode overnight as it is still drawing a small amount of power.

8.    Plug “leaking energy” in electronics. Many new TVs, VCRs, chargers, computer peripherals and other electronics use electricity even when they are switched “off.” Although these “standby losses” are only a few watts each, they add up to more than 50 watts in a typical home that is consumed all the time. If possible, unplug electronic devices and chargers that have a block-shaped transformer on the plug when they are not in use. For computer scanners, printers and other devices that are plugged into a power strip, simply switch off the power strip after shutting down your computer.

If you have any questions, contact Allied Remodeling Corporation by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!

Allied Remodeling is a family owned, full service remodeling company serving the Baltimore/Washington area since 1996. We offer the highest quality products and expert installation by our team of factory trained professionals; backed by our exclusive Allied Remodeling labor warranty.

Allied Remodeling was featured nationally on the Today Show and locally in Baltimore Magazine as a reliable contractor. Our company is focused on quality and strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and we look forward to serving you in the future.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Fast and Free California Energy Commission