Easy Energy Efficient Upgrades for Your Home

As energy costs continue to rise year after year, many people are trying to find ways to reduce their energy consumption and, with it, their utility bills. There are some very easy steps you can take to reduce the energy usage in your home, and the following energy efficient upgrades are a great step towards that goal:

Thermostat

Replace your old mechanical thermostat with a programmable thermostat. By keeping the home comfortable while you are there and awake, then lowering the temperature in the winter, or raising it during the summer when you are at work or asleep, you can save up to 15 percent off your heating and cooling bills.

HVAC System

If your current system will need to be replaced soon, consider energy efficient upgrades that have Energy Star certification. These heating and cooling systems will save you a large amount of money compared to older, inefficient systems, especially if your home is well sealed and insulated.

Insulation

If you have less than R-49 insulation in the attic, R-13 in the walls, or R-30 in the floors of your home, consider adding more insulation. Also consider using caulk, weatherstripping and expanding foam to seal any cracks, gaps and holes in the exterior of your home, especially around windows, electrical lines, and plumbing runs. Use vapor barriers where necessary to help seal your home and prevent air leaks.

Refrigerator

If you have an older refrigerator, replacing it with a newer, energy-efficient model can save significant amounts of electricity, and it will often perform better and have more space than the older model.

Water Heater

Consider replacing your old water heater with a newer model. If your old water heater is a tank-type, consider a tankless model for increased savings, and keep the temperature of your water heater as low as possible.

For more information about energy efficient upgrades for your home, and specifically, your HVAC system, contact our staff at Sobieski Services, Inc. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

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