Congratulations! You successfully navigated the process and you own a new home. Working with a professional Sarasota general contractor, we are confident that you incorporated the most recent energy-saving features into your home. But now that you have moved in, what are some of the things that you can do to save money and energy every day?
Here are some of our favorite energy saving tips.
- Most new thermostats are programmable, but many home owners do not take advantage of the possible cost savings. Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature in your home, allowing the home to be warmer when you are gone but cool off when you return home. In a climate such as Sarasota, it can get very expensive keeping your home at your preferred temperature 24 x 7. Giving your A/C unit a break when you aren’t home can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of the year.
- Ceiling fans are great for moving air and making the room more comfortable, but they do little to lower the temperature of the home. You can save energy by utilizing ceiling fans when you are in the room, but shutting them off as you leave.
- Proper maintenance of key systems will keep your home operating at peak efficiency. For instance, changing your air filters regularly will allow for more productive air flow and help your A/C to work more effortlessly; while draining a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months will remove sediment and support more efficient heat transfer.
- Although we love the beautiful vistas out our oversized windows, installing room darkening blinds or curtains is a smart choice. When you are not at home, close the shades to keep the room cool and dark. Not only will this help with your utility bills, but it will also help you to keep rugs and furniture from fading from daily direct sunlight – making this one of our favorite energy saving tips.
- Paying attention to small details when doing housework can add up over the course of the year. For instance, use the right size pot on your heating element and keep the pot lidded when cooking – both will prevent heat from escaping. Consider using toaster ovens, crockpots and griddles for smaller meals, as they will use less energy than the full-sized oven. Most of the energy expended when washing clothes comes from heating the water, even though most clothing can be cleaned on cold or warm settings. When drying clothes, use a lower heat setting, even if the cycle is longer. It will save energy overall and may help to maximize the life of your clothing as well.
- Small electronics can draw a lot of power even when not in use. Be sure to turn off computers and video games when you are done with them, and unplug chargers from the wall once your phone is charged. Power strips allow you to set a timer to switch all electronics off and back on easily, and motion sensors on your lighting will ensure that your lights always get switched off when you leave the room.
Everyone likes saving money, and just a few small adjustments will make a big difference in your new home. As you settle in, try adding a few of these energy saving tips into your daily routine.
If you have questions about more significant energy saving measures such as installing a cool roof, utilizing solar panels, or even adding xeriscaping to your yard, give Lindahl Construction a call.