With the price of fossil fuels on the rise, finding ways to reduce energy bill strains is in certainly in your best interest. One reason for high energy bills is an increase in the price of electricity or heating fuel. However, high energy bills can usually be traced to an inefficient or failing home component -- such as windows, heating and cooling equipment, or duct insulation. It is not always easy to pin-point the problem, but fixing it can make your home more energy-efficient and reduce home energy cost.
Prescription Checklist:
To improve the energy efficiency of your home, start with an evaluation of your homes energy use. Here are a few step-by-step tips for reducing energy costs and performing a proper home evaluation:
- For best results, contract an energy specialist to do an in-home evaluation. A good specialist will use diagnostic equipment to evaluate the performance of your home components and generate a customized list of improvements.
- Improvements may include sealing leaks in air ducts and adding insulation. Some of these improvements you can do yourself, but you may prefer to hire a contractor.
- Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees F.
- Replace the light bulbs in your highest usage lights with ENERGY STAR CFL bulbs.
- When replacing lighting or appliances, look for ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures and appliances
- Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat, and set it to a lower temperature when you are away at work.
- Contact your utility companies and ask if they offer any programs to help lower energy bills.
By remaining vigilant, you can reduce energy bill aches and pains during the draining winter months. Keeping your fixtures and home heating systems in optimal shape is one of the best ways to make sure your making efficient use of your utilities. A little effort around the house can go a long way to reduce home energy cost as well as the amount of resources you consume.
Source: ENERGY STAR
