Energy saving tips

With rising energy costs we are all on the look out to help lower our energy bills.   When building a new house for our clients reducing energy is always a topic of discussion.   The following are among some of the things a person can do in their own household on a daily basis.  Service your central air conditioning unit yearly.  Check your furnace filter monthly and clean or replace it as suggested by the manufacture.  Dirty and clogged filters block the air flow through your equipment increasing the amount of time they have to operate which consequentially increases your bill and also shortening the life of the equipment.  When you leave a room or not going to be in there turn off all the lights, TVs and any electronic device not in use.  Use the sleep features on computers and office equipment to power them down when not in use.  On average about 15 percent of an average home energy bill will go to heating water.  When washing clothes make sure to do full loads so as to maximize use.  Lower the temperature on your water heater so that it is not over heating your water above what it needs to be.  If your heat/air equipment is older and not as efficient as today’s models consider changing out your equipment.  Savings on your bills could be as much as 40 percent.  Don’t forget about lighting.  Incandescent bulbs are very outdated and as much as 95 percent of the energy of a light bulb goes to just heating the bulb.  This adds extra heat into your home which in the summer is not what you want.  Consider changing out your light bulbs to more efficient bulbs as they will also last longer.  If your appliances are older models consider replacing them with energy star appliances.  Obviously you will never do away with your heating/cooling bills but following the above tips will certainly help put a little money in your pocket to use elsewhere maybe a dinner out or a movie.