With the celebration of Earth Day recently and spring cleaning on the minds of countless homeowners, it’s a great time to make homes more earth-friendly and energy efficient. The truth is, with only a few small, affordable changes, homeowners could be on their way to saving 20% or more on monthly energy costs. Here, the home-efficiency professionals from Service Experts share tricks on how to start saving right now.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat normally saves between 12% to 23% on an energy bill, and it’s also a remarkable tool to reduce carbon emissions from a household. How does this happen? Smart thermostats provide more functions than simply programming the time of day for the heating or cooling system to turn on or off. Several smart thermostats are intuitive and can detect changes in energy usage patterns and home activity. They can also be programmed remotely, and can be programmed to send a notification to homeowners about changes that may cause a major increase to their energy bill.
“This technology saves you money and also makes life easier,” explained Service Experts’ Lisa Lange. “It’s a low-cost way to improve energy efficiency in your home immediately.”
2. Schedule a Heating and Cooling System Tune-Up
Before the summer heat starts, another eco-friendly move is to reach out to an Expert for an air-conditioning system tune-up. It will help homeowners avoid major repairs during the busy season for HVAC pros and a system that performs optimally minimizes reliance on fossil fuel energy sources.
A routine servicing involves cleaning all of the system’s key components, in addition to testing and making adjustments to the unit’s operating system. In addition to checking refrigerant levels and changing out air filters, the condenser located outside the house should also be cleaned and inspected.
“During your tune-up, it’s a great time to tap the expertise of an HVAC pro,” explained Lisa Lange. “We encourage customers to ask about thermostat settings, when to change air filters and bring any other questions they may have about the energy efficiency of their home.”
3. Add Insulation
Putting insulation in a home is a green tip that could help save up to 20% on an electricity bill. In many homes, air leaks out through attics, crawl spaces and basements. If a room is drafty and has trouble holding a consistent temperature, it may be time to check attic insulation. Cold floors could also be a sign that basement insulation isn’t sufficient. All of these concerns also lead to higher energy consumption, which leads to elevated carbon emissions.
“Many homeowners are surprised when they learn their home is under-insulated, but it’s actually quite common,” said Lange. “The good news is that, just like a smart thermostat, you can see the utility cost savings from this decision very quickly. You will also take comfort in knowing that you are helping improve our environment through reduced emissions.
4. Make Sure Your Residence Is Airtight
Windows, ductwork, light sockets and weather stripping around doors are all locations in the home subject to leaks and heat loss or gain (in summer, no one wants steamy air seeping in). Let Earth Day be a signal to green up these areas of the house by doing some easy repairs. Upgrading old weather stripping and caulking around windows are two inexpensive tasks that are relatively easy to tackle, said Lange, and will lower the load on HVAC systems and the electrical grid too.
5. Consider an Energy Zoning System
To develop a comfort zoning system for a home, a certified HVAC professional identifies locations in a house based on its layout, sun exposures and the amount of energy demand different areas have. The HVAC pro can then design a system that precisely distributes air throughout the home weighing comfort and energy efficiency. These systems usually involve several thermostats and adjustments to the ductwork. When paired with a smart thermostat, they can substantially improve comfort, save customers more than 30% on their energy bill and noticeably reduce a home’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“How many times in a day do we heat or cool a room no one is using? It happens all the time, and it adds up to significant energy waste, and these systems are an optimal solution,” Lange said.
6. Buy Energy-Efficient Light bulbs
If a homeowner’s finances don't allow for major upgrades, replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs is an inexpensive, eco-friendly decision with a large impact on the environment. The majority of LEDs will last up to seven years and use about 90% less electricity than traditional bulbs.
7. Consider Solar Energy
With some 30% in federal tax credits available to bring down the expense of a solar installation, there may never be a better time to install one on a home. Over their lifetime, these quality, energy-producing systems can produce an average savings of about $60,000 and greatly reduce a household's cumulative carbon footprint.
“We have the best program in the country. Our experts will develop an energy savings plan that will help you get the most out of your system and show you’re making a direct positive impact on the environment,” Lange said.
To learn more about how to make a home more energy efficient, visit ServiceExperts.com.