Easy Energy and Water Saving Tips for Homeowners
These tips will help save money and increase your home’s efficiency. Help your home run more smoothly and lower your utility costs by using less electricity and water. Better efficiency also helps keep your home safer. For example, one huge energy waster is leaving things plugged in or turned on, which creates a fire hazard. We’ve put together a list of typical items in your home that can help you save energy and water, which helps your wallet. Every home is unique, so these tips are not the only things in your home that could use improvements to save you energy. We recommend conducting a larger home energy audit to find any additional opportunities.
Ways to Save Energy and Conserve Water
- Use surge protectors to protect your electronics from power surges that overwhelm and may damage them. A surge protector provides additional outlets like a power strip, but unlike power strips, surge protectors will provide more protection to your electronics. Surge protectors are an inexpensive and easy solution.
- Switch to energy efficient light bulbs like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs). They produce the same amount of light for less money, last much longer, and can be easily recycled. They are more expensive initially but are more cost efficient in the long run.
- Install a smart or programmable thermostat. You can set a schedule so your thermostat automatically changes the temperature at certain times. When you aren’t home for a while you can remotely raise the temperature to avoid wasting energy on cooling the house. A smart (WiFi-enabled) thermostat can even be controlled and locked by your smart phone.
- Switch to a low flow faucet and shower aerators to help reduce water waste. These lower your “gallons used per minute” without sacrificing water pressure. Faucet aerators cost about ten dollars and can be installed onto your existing appliance. Low flow showerhead aerators replace your current showerhead and are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Use a water leak protection system. The newest models are smart systems that can sense water flow, pressure, and automatically shut off when they detect a leak. Items like FLO by Moen use smart technology to alert your smartphone when an issue arises, potentially saving you thousands in water damage. UPC policyholders receive 20% off the product and installation via this link.
- Get a freeze alarm. These specialized alarms will alert you if temperatures inside your house drop low enough that your pipes may freeze. Some models can sync with your thermostat so you can raise the temperature remotely.
- Install energy efficient windows. Windows that are more efficient help control your home’s temperature by keeping heat in or out, depending on your climate. Look for windows that have an EnergyStar® label and learn about energy performance ratings. If you are in a hurricane-prone area, invest in shatter proof windows as well.
- Use an efficient space heater in rooms that are difficult to heat or aren’t used enough to heat constantly. Your heating system will not have to work as hard and extend its life, and you will save energy. Just be sure to check the wiring and placement often to avoid a fire risk.
- Use a pool cover whenever the pool is not being used. It will reduce your heating costs and make your pool less dangerous for children.