The following is a guest post from Ashyia Hill of CreditDonkey.com.
Winter is officially here. Are you ready to take on the freezing cold without breaking the bank?
We all know there is an inverse relationship between temperatures and energy costs: as temperatures go down, energy costs rise in most households. However, five simple steps can help you to reduce your energy costs this winter.
- Turn down your thermostats to 68 degrees. Within the 60 to 70 degree range, if you lower the heat just one degree you can save up to 5 percent off your heating bill. To help deal with the lower heat, try wearing extra layers and be sure to seal gaps around all windows and doors. Turn the thermostat down to 50 degrees when you will be gone from your home for an extended period as this can save you an additional 5 to 20 percent off your heating bill.
- Adjust the setting on your hot water heater to “normal” or 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Making this adjustment can lower your heating bill by about 7 to 11 percent. Another suggestion is to wrap insulation around the first 5 feet of pipe that juts from the top of the heater. Pipe Insulation may be purchased at any hardware store.
- Seal up any leaks. Examine all doors and windows for gaps and seal these using caulk. Be sure to also check for gaps where pipes go into the wall, including the kitchen and bathroom sinks, behind the stove, and inside all closets. Caulk is fine for sealing small gaps, while foam insulation may be used for larger areas. Most hardware stores sell both caulk and foam insulation.
- Replace old gas appliances. Gas water heaters that are more than ten years old should be replaced with a more efficient ENERGY STAR appliance. The best indicator of a water heater’s efficiency is its Energy Factor (EF) rating. The higher the heater’s EF, the more efficient is the unit. Most new appliances list the EF on their product description tag. As per the California Energy Commission, if your furnace is more than 15 years old, you should also consider replacing it with a more efficient Energy Star unit.
- Don’t waste energy. Turn off lights when you are not at home or in rooms you are not using and unplug appliances. Vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom should also be turned off since they can draw heat out of the home. Be sure to use all appliances efficiently. For example, don’t fully load your dishwasher or clothes washer and use colder water for each as this can reduce your energy consumption by about 75 percent.
Another consideration is to plug so-called “leaking energy” in such electronic equipment as TVs, DVDs, computer peripheral, microwaves, and other equipment. Each of these electronics continue to use electricity even when they are turned to the “off” position and can add up to more than 50 watts of usage in a typical home.
Also be sure to unplug electronic devices when not in use. Turn your computer off rather than “sleep” mode when not in use.
Ashyia Hill blogs about tips and ways to find the best credit card deals at CreditDonkey. Remember, the most sure-fire way to reduce energy costs associated with electrical products is by purchasing ENERGY STAR equipment.
Image Credit: rovingsprout
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