Energy Conservation and Efficiency in the Home
Saving money is on everyone’s minds lately. As the temperatures drop this winter, why not take advantage of the extra time spent indoors to do a thorough energy audit of your home? A few simple changes here and there can reduce your monthly energy usage and costs. Employing some energy-saving techniques around the house may also help you increase your home’s resale value.
Conservation simply means using less energy, like turning off lights when not in use. Energy efficiency means doing a certain job using less energy, like replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Both are important to an overall plan to reduce energy costs and improve your home’s value. Your Summit NJ real estate agent is an excellent source of information for what improvements are most attractive to buyers in your area. Here are a few ways you can conserve energy and make your home more efficient.
Check the insulation
There are many areas around your home that might need a little extra insulation. Check the local building codes or ask your Summit NJ real estate agent what you should have in your home. Check the attic for missing or damaged insulation. Inspect basement walls for air and moisture leaks. See if the water heater needs an extra layer of insulation. Look for gaps around electrical outlets and heating vents that could be letting in cold outside air. Use a lighted candle to test windows and doors for drafts and replace old weather stripping.
Service your appliances
Check the owner’s manual for instruction on how and when to have maintenance performed on major appliances. Change the filters routinely and keep any air-intakes clean. Vacuum the dryer vents at least once or twice a year. Use power strips on smaller appliances and electronic equipment. They keep a small current running, even when they are turned off. A power strip eliminates this power drain.
Look at your lighting
Switch out those old incandescent bulbs for some compact florescent ones. You’ll save on energy bills and you won’t have to change burned out bulbs nearly as often. Put exterior lights on timers and interior lights on dimmers.
Automate your thermostat
If you haven’t already replaced your old thermostat with a programmable one, do it soon. This small investment, usually under $100, can save a ton of money. This little device allows you to set different temperatures for different times of day or week. You can choose a comfortable setting for the hours you’re at home and an energy-saving one for the time when you’re at work.
Just a few simple tricks can put a little more money back in your pocket every month and just might give you a lot more when it’s time to sell.