As many of you may have noticed, energy costs have been rising. So what can you do about it? Here are some ideas for cutting some energy costs.
- Check the seals on your exterior windows and doors – you may find that the caulking has deteriorated and can easily be scrapped and replaced. You can also purchase weather stripping to add
- Update home appliances to newer energy efficient models – if this is not in your budget, check your seals on your current appliances and give your appliance a thorough cleaning to ensure it is running the best that it can be and adjust the temperatures of both your refrigerator and freezer (optimal temperatures you can adjust to are 38 degrees for your refrigerator and 0-5 degrees for your freezer)
- Seal your home’s ductwork – some homes have leaky older ductwork and this can be easily fixed with a duct sealing tape (Lowe’s sells a 3M HVAC tape for $12.98 for 350 feet)
- Fix any leaky faucets – even a small drip can put a burden on your wallet. Common issues causing a faucet to leak are mineral deposit build up or defective gaskets, o-rings or washers – all which you can easily fix without having to call a plumber
- Adjust your thermostat and/or upgrade to a programmable thermostat
- Adjust the temperature of your water heater (optimal temperature you can adjust to is 120 degrees)
- Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs
- Call your energy companies to ensure you are getting the best rate available
- Have your energy company complete an energy audit of your home to see if there are any other ways to save on costs
These are just a few items that you could consider tackling this weekend to save some of your hard earned money.
What are some steps you’ve taken to save on your energy cost recently? I am sure that everyone would like to hear so that they too can consider taking advantage of them as well. Sharing is caring – pass on the knowledge you have, we’d love to hear from you.
Realtors Jen and Larry Lindt 