Saving Money (and Energy) in your Home: 4 Quick & Easy Tips

I’m sure you realize that it costs you money every time you turn on the furnace, run the air conditioner, or use the hot water faucet. But you might not realize how much a few quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive changes to your house can save you over time.

1. Insulate your hot water heater. Most electric water heaters can be insulated with an insulating blanket for around $20. Check with your manufacturer or manual before you buy one, and don’t try to insulate a gas heater — but insulating your electric heater can reduce the amount of heat that leaks out of your hot water, thus reducing the amount of energy you need to keep it warm.

2. While you’re working on your water heater, turn down the temperature. Many experts recommend lowering your water heater temperature from the standard 140 degrees F down to 120 degrees F. You’ll save around 3-5% for each 10 degrees you lower the temperature, and 120 F is high enough for most household uses. As a bonus, using a lower temperature will help prevent hot water from scalding young children, and can help prevent mineral buildup and corrosion of your water pipes as well, which will also extend the life of your water heater.

3. Fix leaky ducts. Use duct tape to tape around the seams in the heating and cooling pipes in the basement, crawl space, and attic. Sealing the seams will prevent air from leaking out while the system operates, meaning more warm (or cool) air will get where it’s going, and your heater or air conditioner won’t have to work as hard getting it there

4. Automate your thermostat. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one. Automating your heating system will help you keep temperatures level, which and it takes less energy to maintain a temperature than to heat or cool a house. And with a programmable thermostat, you don’t need to worry about forgetting to turn down the head at bedtime or when you leave for the day. While you’re at it, be sure to lower the nighttime temperature in your home during cold months — reducing temperatures by 10% overnight during cool months can save as much as 10% off your heating bill. Raise your temperature during warm months so your a/c can take a break.