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Twenty Energy and Water Saving Tips

November 10, 2009

Cutting your energy and water costs: Simple and inexpensive

Saving money on energy and water costs is not just the result of the newest, most efficient green features. Similar to maintaining a car, homeowners who properly maintain their homes will experience the best performance. The difference between a showing and a sale can be as simple as the potential homebuyer's understanding of the small improvements and general maintenance associated with a home. In no particular order, here are twenty inexpensive, do-it-yourself (DIY) tips for improving the energy efficiency and water conservation of a home.

20. Open the south-facing blinds. Even if it is raining, daylight still holds natural radiant heat that will reduce furnace use or at least allow it to be operated at a lower temperature.

19. Turn off your household computer. Stand-by, idle, and sleep modes still use small amounts of electricity.

18. Using fireplace inserts/covers and closing the flue when the fireplace is not in use will help prevent heat from escaping through the chimney. Most experts recommend not using older fireplaces at all because they can actually draw heat from the home.

17. Clean or replace your furnace filter. Even older units will run more efficiently with proper maintenance.

16. A ceiling fan can help heat your home. Set on low, a ceiling fan can help circulate warm air throughout your house.

15. Remove your air conditioner in the fall. An air conditioner left in a window will cause major heating leaks. Fall is also be a good time to clean out your AC's filter. Remember to optimize its efficiency when the cooling season comes again.

14. Install lighting dimmers/timers. Ideally, lights should be turned off when they aren't needed. But installing a timer can help ensure that this happens, especially for families with children. Installing a dimmer will help save energy by allowing only the amount of light needed to be used.

13. Install CFL or LED bulbs. Fluorescent lighting products use a fourth of the energy of standard incandescent lighting products. LEDs use less energy and last longer.

12. Insulate hot water piping. Depending on the home, this can be a DIY project that can help improve energy efficiency and reduce water use.

11. Shut off and drain external water faucets and irrigation systems. Especially important in colder climates, this will prevent a frozen pipe from expanding and leaking. A burst pipe can be very expensive.

10. Use cold water to rinse and prewash dishes. Set the dishwasher to the water saver or low settings.

9. Install low-flow showerheads and aerators on faucets.

8. Replacing old windows can be pricy. However, proper weather stripping and window sealing will reduce the heating/cooling loss caused by older windows.

7. Drain a bucket of water from the water heater twice a year. This will reduce potential sediment build up that can affect the efficiency of the unit. **Caution: Sediment may have sealed the drainage valve shut in unmaintained units.

6. Close the doors to rooms that don't need to be heated or cooled.

5. An uninsulated attic can account for substantial heat loss. However, installing attic insulation can be a relatively inexpensive, DIY improvement. **Caution: Improperly installed insulation can be a fire hazard, so make sure you are familiar with the correct installation practices.

4. Inspect landscaping. The simple addition of mulch can drastically reduce the need for irrigation while adding nutrients to the soil. Remove weeds and non-native species of plants. The former steal irrigation water meant for plants and the latter require more irrigation than native species.

3. Replace the seals on your oven and refrigerator. Using an external oven thermometer can help detect a leak. Refrigerator doors that open with no resistance are a good indicator of a weak seal.

2. Wash and dry only full loads of clothes. Wash only full loads of dishes.

1. When the time comes to replace an old appliance, replace it with an ENERGY STAR® appliance. From furnaces to televisions, most appliances are available with ENERGY STAR certification.

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