{"id":14696,"date":"2012-08-06T09:37:45","date_gmt":"2012-08-06T15:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145705.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=14696"},"modified":"2012-08-06T09:37:45","modified_gmt":"2012-08-06T15:37:45","slug":"save-energy-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/save-energy-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Home Energy Inefficiencies You Can Remedy This Weekend for $100 or Less"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"compact<\/a><\/p>\n

By Jay Harris<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most consumers are already well-versed in “the little light bulb that could.”\u00a0Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)<\/a> have come a long way in the last decade, gaining acceptance and even mandatory usage legislation in some states for construction projects and government buildings.<\/p>\n

The curlicue bulbs use a quarter of the electricity of their traditional incandescent cousins, so their popularity is understandable. Despite their higher price point \u2014 about three times that of an incandescent \u2014 the CFLs last ten times longer, paying for the added “investment” in about six months.<\/p>\n

Many people that make the switch are then inspired to do even more, especially when they realize that a few small changes can cut monthly power bills by a third or more.<\/p>\n

When I\u2019m approached on the floor by customers about CFL bulbs (or any product that helps them save electricity), I try to engage them in conversation about other measures they could take to reduce their power bill<\/a>. Fortunately for them, some of the most effective changes don\u2019t involve replacing all of your windows or re-insulating an entire house. If you\u2019re on a budget, that\u2019s even more reason to take action today to start saving money each month. Here are four places I recommend you start:<\/p>\n

1. Wrap Your Water Heater in an Insulating Blanket<\/h3>\n

Cost: $30<\/p>\n

Heating water accounts for as much as 25 percent of energy used in the home, so increasing your water heater’s efficiency is a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

First, check that your hot water heater is set to 120\u00b0F. Keeping it hotter than that will cost you money and scald your hands when you turn on your shower.<\/p>\n

Secondly, check that your heater is wrapped in an insulating blanket. If it\u2019s not, you\u2019re literally throwing money away each day that can be forever saved for about the cost of a family dinner.<\/p>\n

When you wrap a blanket around yourself in the winter, you retain heat and stay warmer. Likewise, not insulating your water heater just forces it to use more electricity and strain to work harder. I typically recommend an inexpensive blanket (about $30) made from 100 percent recycled denim and high performance foil. They\u2019re easy to self-install and the savings begin immediately.<\/p>\n

2. Install Motion Detecting Light Sensors<\/h3>\n

Cost: $20 per room<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever replaced a light switch, you can probably manage the simple installation of a motion sensor in your home. Even if you opt for professional installation, the process is quick, easy and cheap. Motion detectors have dropped dramatically in price in recent years, with 500-watt models (with 180 degree sensitivity) starting as low as $20.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a parent, chances are that you\u2019ve experienced the frustration of children who forget to turn lights off when they leave the room. With a motion sensor light that turns on when they enter and off when they exit, that parental hassling is a thing of the past.<\/p>\n

\"caulking<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Go On a Leak Hunt<\/h3>\n

Cost: $40<\/p>\n

A most effective way you can save energy in your home is to eliminate leaks<\/a> that push your heating and cooling system harder than necessary. Growing up, did anyone ever say to you: \u201cWe\u2019re not paying to air condition the back yard!\u201d when you\u2019d forget to close a door? In many cases, we are paying, thanks to leaky windows and door jams.<\/p>\n

To check your house for leaks, start by checking doors and windows to see if daylight shines through or if they\u2019re loose \u2014 if they rattle, they may have a leak. One good test you might want to try is to close all doors and windows, turn on exhaust fans in the kitchen and the bathroom, and light a stick of incense. Carry it around your house to doors and windows and watch if the smoke is sucked out through cracks.<\/p>\n

Another alternative is to contact your local gas company. Some will offer you great deals on air leakage inspections. A certified inspector will come to the house and depressurize the home, making a more efficient and easy way of finding any leaks around the house.<\/p>\n

Weather stripping and caulk can go a long way to eliminate these leaks, and they\u2019re simple fixes you can do on your own. Oftentimes, the biggest culprit is an attic hatch. Check yours to make sure it\u2019s insulated on the inside and that it closes snuggly. If not, a bit of recycled denim insulation inside of the hatch and weather stripping on the door\u2019s edges can help secure the fit. While you\u2019re in the attic, use caulk to seal any leaks to the outdoors around pipes and ductwork.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible to cut your energy bill by a third just through sealing up leaks and eliminating drafts. Don\u2019t wait to get started!<\/p>\n

4. Install a Programmable Thermostat<\/h3>\n

Cost: $50<\/p>\n

Considering that a programmable thermostat can literally save you thousands upon thousands of dollars over the life of your home, not using one is plain foolish. You may even already have one that you\u2019ve simply never learned to use. Ranging in cost from $20 into the hundreds, the models at and under $50 often will fit your needs. Most models in this range allow you to set time periods for the temperature to adjust itself, allowing you the flexibility not to cool your home while you\u2019re away at work during the day in August (but have the A\/C kick in half an hour before you arrive home, so that you\u2019re comfortable from the minute you walk in the door).<\/p>\n

Cooling or heating an empty house to extremes is wasteful, and it\u2019s one of the simplest and least inexpensive major changes you can make to increase your home energy efficiency. The technology is there \u2014 take advantage of it!<\/p>\n

These tips are just a handful of the changes it\u2019s possible to make for just a small investment. What other energy saving remedies have you found for your house that didn\u2019t break the bank but saved you a bundle?<\/p>\n

Jay Harris is a Home Depot sales associate and a regular contributor to Home Depot\u2019s blog. His energy-saving interests at Home Depot range from solar power<\/a> to CFL bulbs<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Image credits:<\/strong> armisteadbooker<\/a> via photo pin<\/a> cc<\/a>; Chewonki Semester School<\/a> via photo pin<\/a> cc<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I\u2019m approached on the floor by customers about CFL bulbs (or any product that helps them save electricity), I try to engage them in conversation about other measures they could take to reduce their power bill. Fortunately for them, some of the most effective changes don\u2019t involve replacing all of your windows or re-insulating an entire house. If you\u2019re on a budget, that\u2019s even more reason to take action today to start saving money each month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":14697,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,79,7],"tags":[76,77,156,5875,5939,5940,166,5941],"yoast_head":"\nSave Energy at Home with these Cheap, Easy Fixes<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Home energy savings don't have to involve major renovations: these four simple efficiency fixes can save you money on your utility bills.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/save-energy-at-home\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Save Energy at Home with 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