According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household spends at least $2000 on utility bills each year. Many Colorado homeowners spend even more. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to lower home energy consumption and thus your monthly utility bills?
Here are a few ideas for doing just that:
Tips for cutting your energy consumption
Not all tips for cutting your energy consumption involve a big expenditure. Sure, replacing old single-pane windows with more energy-efficient double- or triple-pane models will generally pay for itself over time. The same holds true of replacing that old furnace with a more energy-efficient model. But there are also many small changes you can make to reduce your energy usage.
- Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to turn down the temperature when you’re at work or when you’re sleeping without sacrificing comfort. The conventional wisdom has always been that you’ll save one percent on your energy bill for every degree you decrease the thermostat.
- Turn down the temperature on your water heater. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly 20 percent of American energy dollars are used to heat water. Lower that temperature and reduce your energy consumption. A water temperature of 120 degrees is still comfortable. Better yet, replace that traditional water heater with a tankless, on-demand system. Such systems have come down dramatically in price over the past few years.
- Plug those gaps. Gaps around your windows and doors can really increase your energy consumption by leaking air you’ve paid to condition. Have you thought about where else in your home you may have gaps that are letting heat escape? Make sure to seal the gaps around your dryer vent, your electrical outlets and anywhere pipes enter your home.
If you’d like assistance making sure that your Colorado home is as energy-efficient as it can be, schedule an energy evaluation with Rheem Pro Partner. We’ve been helping central Colorado homeowners winterize their homes since 1993.
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