Take a Room-by-Room Approach to Saving Energy
Learning to reduce your yearly household energy bills can seem like an impossible task. Implementing a room-by-room approach to saving energy is the easiest way to start trimming utility bills. The following guide for specific rooms in the home can help you get started.
Kitchen
Don’t rinse before loading the dishwasher, only run full loads and skip the heated dry cycle. Make sure the kitchen exhaust fan is vented outdoors, and run it whenever you’re cooking to remove heat and humidity.
Living and Family Rooms
If you have a fireplace, close the damper when it’s not being used. Install ceiling fans and run them along with the A/C or furnace to conserve energy. Also, adjust the thermostat setting by about four degrees to increase energy savings. Install a programmable thermostat and use it to schedule temperature setbacks based on your daily routine and weekly schedule.
Bathrooms
Fix leaky plumbing fixtures to stop needless hot water waste, and install low-flow faucets and shower heads to curb consumption. Run the exhaust fan when bathing or showering to expel hot, humid air so it doesn’t increase the air conditioner’s workload.
Bedrooms
To promote balanced airflow and keep the HVAC system operating as efficiently as possible, avoid closing the supply registers and leave bedroom doors open whenever possible.
Laundry Room
Only use the cold water cycle when doing laundry, and always wash full loads. Clean out the clothes dryer vent trap after every use, and check that the exhaust ducting is securely attached so moisture is vented properly outdoors.
Utility Closet
Make sure the HVAC air handler unit receives yearly professional maintenance that includes cleaning the blower and evaporator coil. Have the water heater tank flushed twice a year to eliminate sediment and lower the unit’s thermostat setting to 120 degrees.
For more tips for saving energy, contact Sobieski Services, Inc.
Our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.
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