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Easy Energy Upgrades Can Save Fistfuls of Dollars
The August Tip of the Month from PATH (Partnership for Advancing Housing Technology) provides households with simple, cost-effective steps that will quickly improve the energy efficiency of their homes and save them fistfuls of money.
On the list of quick energy efficiency upgrades:
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Just replacing the four most used 100-watt incandescent bulbs with comparable 23-watt CFLs will save more than $108 over three years, and the new bulbs should last about 10 times longer, PATH says.
- Clean or replace the air conditioner filter monthly so that dirt doesn’t block normal airflow and significantly reduce the efficiency of the system.
- Caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doors will help stop expensive air leaks, which are the greatest waster of energy in the home.
- Screwing on low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators will save about 27 cents a day on water and 51 cents on electricity, adding up to $285 a year.
- When they’re not at home and while sleeping, home owners can save 10% on their heating and cooling costs by setting the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 62 in the winter.
- A $10-$20 insulating jacket around the water heater, along with insulation for the pipes around the heater, will optimize its performance. Turning down the temperature on the heater to 120 degrees will save money and prevent children from scalding accidents. PATH also suggests replacing water heaters that are more than seven years old, even though they typically last 10-15 years.
- A blower door test will uncover holes and cracks that are the main source of energy loss in the home. An open fire place damper, for example, can let 8% of heating costs go up the chimney. Many utilities provide the service for free, but if they don’t, hiring an expert Home Energy Rater is worth the expense, PATH advises.
- Planting trees and shrubs can provide wind breaks and reduce annual heating and cooling costs by 25%.
- Replacing water heaters, furnaces or air conditioners with Energy Star qualified products can save 10%-30% in operating costs.
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