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SAVING ENERGY = SAVING MONEY!

Home Improvement Tips to Conserve Energy and Cash

By Mel Headley

Whether they’re clipping coupons or limiting dinners out, people are trying to save money any way they can. When it comes to their homes, however, many neglect necessary repairs because they fear remedying the issues will require more time and money than they can afford. The truth is that frequent maintenance can actually extend the life of their home and save money in both the short and long runs.

With winter upon us, monitoring energy use should be a top priority in every home. The good news is that saving energy saves money in more ways: Energy-related repairs are often very inexpensive to complete and can begin saving you money immediately. Here are a few tips to trim your energy costs this season.

1. Windows and doors are the number one source of energy loss and probably the biggest cash drain on your energy bill. Some fixes are as simple as replacing weather stripping. To determine if your home requires this, turn off the lights and look at door or window: If you can see light around it or feel any sort of draft, dollars are escaping and new weather stripping is definitely needed. Replacement windows are a more expensive fix but the cost is offset significantly by energy savings and because many qualify for rebates from federal stimulus dollars.

2. Another way to save is by installing foam gaskets around switches and outlets on exterior walls. The voids created by electrical boxes are not insulated but the foam gaskets prevent air exchange between inside and outside of the house (this is also known as the “chimney effect,” where conditioned air escapes through the walls and ultimately decreases the energy efficiency of your HVAC system). The necessary gaskets can be purchased for a nominal fee at most hardware or big-box stores and installed easily by following the instructions on the packaging.

3. Install a setback timer for your water heater so that it only operates when you are home and will need hot water. Think about it: There’s no need to heat water while you are sleeping, at work or out of the house for an extended period of time. You can even consider an on-demand water heater, which is tankless and only heats water as it’s needed. They are a bit more expensive (roughly $1,000) but the payback is rapid. Like water heaters, thermostats can also be put on timers to conserve energy when you are not at home or are asleep.

4. Over the years, insulation – specifically insulation installed in attics – becomes compacted and loses its effectiveness. Check yours: If you can see the drywall or plaster, it’s time to add insulation. Installation costs will vary but loose-fill insulation is typically less expensive to install than batt insulation and, when installed properly, loose-fill insulation also provides better coverage.

5. If you are someone who forgets to turn the lights off when you leave a room, consider motion sensor light fixtures. Just like the exterior floodlight variety, the interior version turns on when it senses motion and off when there’s none. I just installed several in my daughter’s house and they really do work great! Compound the savings by selecting a compact fluorescent light bulb instead of an incandescent one; an ENERGY STAR-qualified bulb uses 75 percent less energy, lasts 10 times longer and pays for itself in about six months.