Eight Simple Ways to Save on Home Energy Costs
Temperatures are on the rise in Florida and Coastal Alabama. That means home air conditioners will be on more frequently if not constantly as summer makes its slow approach. As energy use escalates in your home, it’s good to be aware of a few things you can do to mitigate an escalating electric bill. Here are eight common sense practices to save on home energy usage and costs.
- Reduce the amount of time you spend showering. The amount of water used and the energy to heat the water are the energy culprits. For more details on the subject, see The Sneaky Cost of Long Showers.
- Use your dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes. Your dishwasher uses significantly less water than handwashing so even if the dishwasher isn’t fully loaded, use it. You can turn off the heated dry setting for greater savings.
- Launder clothes and linens in cold water.
- Turn off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth.
- Unplug unused electronic devices. “Standby power” – is electrical power used by appliances and equipment while switched off or not performing their primary function. Standby power accounts for 10% of an average household’s energy use.
- Use a programmable thermostat if possible and regulate temperatures according to when you’re home. Set it to higher temperatures when you’re away from home and set it to the warmest you can tolerate. Use your ceiling fans to keep air moving in the home.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Fire up the grill instead of the oven.
New construction homes by Holiday Builders include new, energy-efficient HVAC units and Energy-star-rated appliances. Windows and doors are properly sealed keeping regulated air inside the home where it belongs. New Holiday Builders’ homes are designed with energy efficiency in mind.
