Where Do Your Energy Dollars Go?
The biggest energy user in your home is your Heating and Cooling system. It can account for about 44% to 55% of your energy bill.
Here are some simple tips to help save money:
- Clean or replace your Furnace and AC filter monthly.
- For cooling, health permitted; don't lower your thermostat below 78 degrees.
- When you are not at home during the summer months, bring the thermostat to 80.
The second biggest energy user in your home is your water heater. Your water heater can account for about 20% of your energy.
- Turn down your water heater to about 110 degrees or 130 with a dish washer.
- If the water heater is in the garage or outside, use an insulation jacket.
Your refrigerator/freezer, lighting, TV and stereos can account for 16% of the energy usage.
- Set the refrigerator to 36 F to 40 F.
- Set the freezer to 0 F or 5 F.
- Use compact florescent light bulbs.
- Turn off lights, Stereos, TV's when you are not in the room.
The laundry and cooking account for 10% of the energy usage.
- When cooking, make sure the pans or pots fit the burner.
- Using lids can help keep the heat inside the pans or pots and cook your food faster.
- Defrost your food without using the Microwave before cooking, cooking frozen food can use 1/3 more energy.
- If possible cook different things in the oven at the same time.
- Don't overload your dryer.
- Clean your dryers lint filter after every load.
Common Questions
How much insulation do I need?
Department of Energy recommends in our high heat climate that your insulation levels be a R38 to R49. Fiberglass insulation would be 15-18 inches of product. Cellulose insulation will be 11-14 inches of product.
Do radiant barriers work?
Of course, because it helps prevent radiant heat gain. This is what the system will do for your home. Through the attic areas where most radiant heat gains occurs. Keep in mind this measure will not keep all heat out of your house this will work in combination with proper insulation and ventilation in your attic.
Will weatherizing my home help with my electric bill?
As you know houses shift and create openings and foundation problems, the sun also can make a door bend to the point that the original seal is no longer helping, openings occur on doors, windows, walls, etc. When these openings are created by the shifting of the house or heat, air that comes from your air handler escapes causing the machine to work longer to keep up with the temperature that you desire, hence extra money spent.
Is it possible to seal recessed lighting?
Recessed lights have a can that is visible from the attic, these cans have holes that allow the light bulb to breath, the light bulbs can generate up to 200 degrees in temperature, it is recommended that you replace these lights with energy efficient light bulbs, this can cut the heat output by 50%.
What can I do to my window that will help my electric bill?
The first step is to call a window company consultant to inspect the seal on your windows (double pane windows.) The second step if the seal is compromised is to look at the window warranty, most have a 10 year warranty, this could save some money on replacements. The third step would be to replace the window. If you cannot afford the replacement costs there are other measures that you could do to help keep your house cool during summer and warm in the winter.
- Use tinting film on the windows especially on the west side of the house.
- Install solar screens.
- Use white blinds (white blinds are know to absorb heat more than other colors.)
- Use curtains with solar shielding facing the window.
