Home Energy Conservation
Buying a new home is a big investment, and whether you’ve just bought one or you’re looking to buy a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, you’re probably thinking about finances. There are a few ways you can save money in your current home by conserving energy and lowering your utility bills. As your trusted Realtor® at the Lake of the Ozarks, I want to help you make the best decisions regarding your home. Read on for a few helpful tips when it comes to saving money AND energy.
Though these home energy conservation tips might seem like no-brainers, they can really add up! If you think about saving energy in terms of saving money, it’s definitely worth it. Taking care of your home, whether you’ve just purchased or you’re getting ready to sell, is vital to prolonging its life. If you're considering buying or selling you home at the Lake of the Ozarks, give me a call! I'd be happy to help in any way I can.
- Clean Your Air Filter
Keeping your air filter clean helps prevent overworking your air conditioning unit. A dirty filter can potentially slow down the air flow. Cleaning or replacing your filter regularly is recommended, and energy.gov recommends every 3 months.- Don’t Peek in the Oven!
When cooking or baking, it’s tempting to check on your food by opening the oven. Try to refrain from opening the oven door, as it lets a significant amount of heat escape. The oven then has to work extra hard to get back up to the set temperature. If you need to check on your food, try using an oven light instead or checking less frequently.- Turn Off the Exhaust Fans
Most exhaust fans take air from outside and bring it in, which can be problematic in the summer. Though you might not feel it right away, the air blowing into your bathroom is most likely warmer than the air that your air conditioner is producing, making it difficult to maintain a consistent temperature. Don’t forget about those fans and turn them off if they’re not needed.- Adjust Your Dishwasher
There are a couple of features on most dishwashers that can be adjusted in order to save energy and money. Most dishwashers have a rinse and hold cycle – and it’s not completely necessary. It uses roughly 3-7 gallons to spritz your dishes until you’re ready to run an actual load. It’s also a good idea to let your dishes air dry. Using the preset drying cycle can use a significant amount of energy that can be easily avoided.- Turn Off Your Electronics
When you’re not using your electronics, turn them off. Powering down your computer, monitor, fax machine, and printer will save power when you’re not using them. The same can go with televisions and gaming consoles. If they’re not actively being used, they’re just sucking power! It’s also a good idea to unplug any and all battery chargers when they’re not being used. Many chargers will continuously draw power from the outlet, even when a device isn’t plugged in. It’s a debate whether leaving your phone on the charger overnight is okay for the battery life – but it’s true that your phone only takes a few hours to fully charge up. Leaving it plugged into the outlet continuously draws energy all night.
Though these home energy conservation tips might seem like no-brainers, they can really add up! If you think about saving energy in terms of saving money, it’s definitely worth it. Taking care of your home, whether you’ve just purchased or you’re getting ready to sell, is vital to prolonging its life. If you're considering buying or selling you home at the Lake of the Ozarks, give me a call! I'd be happy to help in any way I can.
Comments
Post a Comment