Energy Saving Methods

A new home is the perfect time to install energy saving devices.  A typical family spends $1,300 on home energy bills per year (not including water bills).  Money may be tight after purchasing a new home but there are many inexpensive energy saving that will pay off over time.  The following is a list of 5, inexpensive, energy saving devices that home owners can install.

1. Install compact florescent bulbs.  These use 60% less energy, last 10 times longer and can save 75% on lighting costs over time.
2. Install aerators on faucets and low flow shower heads.  These can lower water usage on faucets from 2.5 gpm to .5 gpm (gallons per minute).
3. Plug in electrical devices in to Smart Strips to turn off appliances at once.  These will cut down on Phantom energy sources.  Every electrical device that has a light that stays on uses a small amount of energy.  When all appliances are combined, the small amount of energy from each device adds up.
4. Hang blinds and curtains on each window.  Close them at night to keep out the cold air and open them in the day to let the sun shine in to warm your rooms.
5. If you have an older toilet that uses 3.5 gpf (gallons per flush), install a Toilet Tank Bank.  This is a water filled bladder that displaces some of the water in the tank so less water is used at each flush.  Other heavy objects may cause reactions in the tank causing problems with the flushing mechanism.