Florida may not see traditional winter temperatures but it can get chilly here during the winter months. Not only does practicing energy efficiency improve your budget it can also improve your impact on the environment. While replacing all of your appliances and systems with Energy Star rated models may not be an immediate option, we do have several energy saving tips you can put into action right now for very little money and effort.
Energy Saving Tip #1 – Seal the Leaks
A great and immediate way to save energy in your home is to seal up leaks. Due to settling and age, gaps may appear between windows and doors. Other overlooked areas include entry points for utilities, telephone, and cable lines. Use chalking or weatherstripping to close up the gaps. For larger spaces, you can use expanding foam sealants.
Energy Saving Tip #2 – Add Some Fluff
Adding insulation can be an inexpensive way to create a buffer between your heat and the outside. It takes little skill to install. Insulation deteriorates over time so if your home is over twenty-five years old, the insulation should be replaced.
Energy Saving Tip # 3 – Clean Up
The change of season is a perfect time to clean your appliances and system. Dirt that collects on your refrigerator’s condenser can cause it to run harder to keep the same temperature. Vacuuming off the dirt can improve efficiency. Experts also recommend that you change your heater’s filter every two months. Dirty filters can restrict air flow causing your heating system to use more energy to perform at it’s proper level.
Energy Saving Tip #4 – Upgrade Your Lights
Traditional incandescent bulbs are no longer available but their demise is good news for your budget. Both CFL and LED bulbs are more energy efficient that their predecessor. CFL are less expensive up front but LED last much longer, which can save you more money over time.
Energy Saving Tip #5 – Turn Down the Temperature
Utilize programmable thermostats to lower the temperature in your home when you’re at work or away for a trip. If you’re feeling dedicated to the cause of lower bills, keep the temperature set to 67 or 68 and layer up on socks, sweatshirts, and blankets. Lowering the temperature of your hot water heater can also decrease your energy bills and a minor adjustment most likely won’t be noticeable.
As you can see, these are energy saving tips that you can put into place within a weekend.