This article is an excerpt from an email to an energy audit client that I performed as a courtesy service to help clients become aware of easy ways to save energy at home:
It was a pleasure meeting you in person today, thank you for the opportunity to help you lower your energy consumption. Just for a reminder of what we covered today I put together this list:
- Install a blanket cover for the water heater, use duct tape to attach. Also flush it out every year to save gas and extend its life, check online for how to do this and with the water heater manufacturer for approval and about proper blanket installation.
- Turn off electronics, lights and appliances etc. completely when not in use, get timed plug strips for items that you would like to turn off all at once for specific periods of time like from 10pm until 6am etc.
- See about adding weather striping and caulking around doors and windows etc. (we didn’t talk about this but it’s easy to do and someone at a home improvement store can help explain it to you if you need help).
- Replace any frequently used light bulbs with CFL bulbs or better yet with new LED bulbs (the prices of these have come done drastically in the last couple years); remember to compare LUMENS and output light color ie: soft-white, daylight etc. not WATTS when looking for equal light output, on average these bulbs use ¼ to 1/6 the power for the same light output as incandescent bulbs.
- Install insulation pads on electrical outlets and switches on the outer walls of the house or have a handyman do it.
- When it finally dies or needs a high dollar repair replace you A/C unit with the highest SEER (minimum 15 SEER) rated unit you can get and have the duct work checked for leaks and proper routing and sizing.
- When within your budget replace your refrigerators and other major appliances with energy star rated new ones as the energy savins will pay for the extra cost in a couple of years, also unplug garage refrigerator when ever it is not in use.
Check with an insulation contractor on the cost of having you attic insulation improved.- Add ceiling fans in the bedrooms where people sleep and check the programming on your thermostat, if you get cold on summer nights turn up the thermostat don’t turn off the fan. Do turn off fans when not in the room.
- Remember about the climbing plants that you can, if you like, put in the flower beds on the sides of your house which will transpire and further insulate the house. Also deciduous trees can be planted on the sunny sides of the house which will add shade in the summer but let the sun through in the winter.
I think that is all we talked about, if I think of anything else I will let you know. Thanks.
Mark
