As energy costs rise (which is basically twice per year here in North East Texas!!!), you might be looking for ways to be more energy-efficient without going broke.
We want to share eight money-smart moves to consider when making home renovations. If you're buying a pre-owned home, get ready to do some of these to make it a more affordable place to live! If you're getting ready to sell your house and want to make sure it's got every advantage to appeal to a thrifty buyer, check these tips out!
1. ANYTHING "LOW FLOW"
In addition to saving water, low-flow fixtures will save you more than you realize. Relatively cheap to buy and usually easily installed, low-flow fixtures can reduce home water consumption by as much as 50% and can save you over $100 a year, easy! (this is according to Energy Star, a government program that promotes energy-efficiency). ONE EXAMPLE: Low-flow shower heads cost about $20 at home improvement stores.
2. IMPROVED INSULATION
Insulation keeps your house warm in the winter, cool in the summer and reduces heating and cooling costs by as much as 20%, according to Green Energy Solutions, Inc., a company that specializes in retrofitting buildings to make them more energy-efficient. You can pick up a roll of insulation for about $15-$20.
3. COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Yeah, this is the "CFL" you keep hearing about! Fluorescent bulbs last between 4 and 10 times longer than regular light bulbs. While they’re more expensive initially, you’ll save about $6 per year on energy bills, according to Energy Star...so, they pay themselves off at least two-fold!
4. A CLEAN DISHWASHER!
Really? YES! Dishwashers use an average of 5.8 gallons of water per cycle, while older models can use as much as 10 gallons. You could save around $8 per year in energy costs by making this upgrade. Or, you could clean and repair your current washer if it’s only a few years old. Better Homes and Gardens website has a great guide for cleaning and maintaining dishwashers...click
here.
5. A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
Programmable thermostats have become popular due to their energy-and money-saving benefits. When used properly this device can save users up to $150 per year, and it’s generally more accurate than a regular thermostat. DISCLAIMER: Some energy experts say programming your thermostat to off or to use less heat or AC when you're away actually wastes money, since the unit has to then work harder to get to the set temp when you are home. I say good insulation will help prevent this...only YOU can find the correct balance for your home.
6. WEATHER STRIPPING
You might be surprised to find how much money you could save by patching up that draft in your kitchen or bedroom. Your heater or AC are working to heat and cool places that can be sealed! In homes that haven’t been weather stripped, air leaks account for 30% to 40% of heating and cooling loss, according to Energy Star. Weather stripping materials on an adhesive roll start for as little as $5 at home improvement stores.
7. TANKLESS WATER HEATERS
Tankless water heaters have been all the rage in most of the world for years now, and I have to say after living in Europe for 8 1/2 years, they're awesome! They allow users to shave 20% on average from their water bill. In addition to lasting 5-10 years longer than tank heaters, they heaters never run out of hot water and don;t hold the same scary massive water leak potential. Plus, you get a federal tax rebate if you purchase one, according to Energy Star (accurate up to 2013, anyway).
8. CEILING FANS
Yeah, people actually don't have enough in their home! This is one cheap, fast way to circulate air in your home that has already been heated or cooled, helping your air unit work less to spread the air in the home. The cheapest start at about $35 at home improvement stores, and 99% of them are easy, no tools necessary installations.
We hope some of these can help! Give us a call today at 903.200.4988, or visit www.HomesByLainie.com!
Why have an agent when you can have an entire team? Homes By Lainie offers real estate, mortgage
lending, credit repair solutions, and insurance, all in one stop for your home
buying convenience! Visit us to see why Lainie Ramsey is the Lake Texoma
property local expert!
~Keller Williams
Realty~
