Eden Real Estate – Eden Realestate Region, Bega & Merimbula

You know that making your home energy efficient will save you money. You also know that it makes sense environmentally. But which of the hundreds of products and tips actually matter?

First and foremost, a lot of cooling and heating costs are wasted by drafts at doors and windows. In addition to higher energy costs, such drafts also allow more dust and pollen into the home. Applying weather stripping can help all of these issues. Even if you have weather stripping, you may need to replace it. It may have decayed over the years, or it may be of a type that is not very efficient. And if you truly cannot weather strip, at least try to block off the drafts as best you can. Heavy drapes, preferably insulated, at all windows and the patio door will help, as will draft blockers such as the bean-bag snakes at the bottom of outside doors.

One investment that will pay for itself in time is to use fluorescent bulbs. These consume less power, but they also last longer than standard bulbs.

Most people keep their water heaters set at too high a temperature. In homes with young children it can be dangerous to have tap water delivered hot enough to scald them. There is seldom any need for it to be this hot, and it wastes money in two ways. First of all, energy is expended to heat water to an unnecessary degree. Then, since this water is too hot, cold water has to be used to make it possible to bathe or wash the hands.

Most older homes have inadequate insulation in their attics. Newer types of insulation are much more energy efficient than the types commonly used even two or three decades ago. Check both the type of insulation and how much there is. If needed, replace it or add to it.

A thermostat timer can also contribute to your energy savings. These work by adjusting the temperature at the times you select. You might choose a higher or lower setting, depending on the season, for overnight or while you are at work. Before you return, the timer will again change the setting so that the house is comfortable by the time you return.

How you use energy is also important. Turn lights off when leaving, whether you are going out of the room or out for the evening. Do not run partial loads of dishes or clothing. Since deep freezes work more efficiently when they are full, do not keep them operating for just a couple of items. Skip the preheat cycle on the oven except in rare instances where the food requires it. In the winter, put on socks or a sweater instead of raising the thermostat, and in summer, use fans for additional cooling.

When you cut your costs by making your home energy efficient, you are creating benefits for more than just your own household. You are also helping the environment.

If you are looking for further information and tactics on how to Make Your Home Energy Efficient, then you have to read the authors report that is packed full of Energy Efficiency tactics.

Tags: DIY, energy efficiency, garden, home, home improvements