Here at Home Energy Audit Technicians, we firmly believe you should keep more of the energy you use to heat, cool and power your home. We are dedicated to finding exactly where your energy is being lost and helping you find cost-effective solutions that will pay for themselves. Being green at home can put more green in your wallet and we know how!
Being energy efficient needs to be a way of life, but that doesn't mean it needs to be hard. Start saving energy today by following these energy tips.
Save electricity
1.
Set your thermostat to 78° or warmer with the fan switch on "auto". To save even more, switch to 83° or higher when you're out. (You're not there, why cool it?)
6.
Let your dishwasher do it's job. I know it's tempting, but by NOT pre-rinsing your dishes you can save nearly $75 a year.
2.
Set your thermostat to 68° or cooler with the fan switch on "auto". Keep the savings going by lowering it to 63° or cooler at night or when you're out.
7.
Get a home energy audit: A professional home energy audit can save you 25% or more on your energy bills depending on the age and condition of your home.
3.
A programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to increase your energy savings by an average of 10%. Make sue you have it installed by a licensed electrician and use the settings listed above for maximum benefit.
8.
Shut it down! Home office equipment can be a drain on your wallet. Buy a power strip and put all your home office equipment on one strip. If you're not going to be using it for over an hour...shut it down with one switch.
4.
Change your A/C filter every month and cut your cooling costs by helping the system to run more efficiently.
9.
Clean the lint off the dryer filter and your clothes will get done faster, you'll save money and reduce a fire hazard.
5.
Flip that switch on your ceiling fan! Ceiling fans are a great alternative to your A/C, but leaving them on defeats the purpose and one that runs constantly can cost nearly $10 a month depending on size and age.
10.
Really turn it off...no, really, by leaving any electrical item in your house on, and in "stand-by" mode, it's still drawing electricity and slowly leaching money from your wallet. Turn these "suckers" off or unplug.
Save gas
1.
Proper tire inflation is crucial for increasing gas mileage. Improper tire inflation can decrease fuel economy by 5% or more. Always check your tires when cold and not after a long drive since the tires will heat up and the air will expand. Check on the inside of the drivers door for a label, which will list the proper inflation level.
6.
Make just one trip if you have several errands to run. By trying to schedule as many as possible into one you'll gut down on your overall miles. Plan your trip on Google maps for free or plug your addresses into a GPS and select "shortest route". Not only will doing this save you money, but it will also save you time.
2.
A well-tuned car runs more efficiently and helps you save gas. Always follow your owner manual’s recommended maintenance schedule for best performance. If your car or truck is hard to start, this is it's way of telling you, "I need a tune-up so I can save you some gas!".
7.
The cruise control feature on your car can dramatically increase your fuel efficiency (see tip #3). Anytime you are going to be maintaining the same speed for more than a minute or two, turn on the cruise control. It makes driving more enjoyable and could help you avoid a speeding ticket!
3.
Accelerate slowly from intersections and drive slower up steep hills. Pushing your car too hard puts a strain on the engine and the car is forced to "dump gas" into the engine to try and keep up with your heavy-foot. Fluctuations in your speed while driving can also affect fuel performance by up to 20%.
8.
American Idol, yes. Idling in your car...no! Waiting in your car for for anything over a minute wastes more gas than you may think. Idling for more than a few minutes can burn more gas than turning the engine off. If you're going to be waiting for a minute of more, you'll save gas by shutting down.
4.
Enjoy the fresh air by trying to use the air conditioner less. Due to drag, when driving at 35mph or slower, running the air conditioner can burn more fuel than opening a window or two. When on the highway, it's best to roll up the windows and turn on the A/C.
9.
Ride a bikeand you'll save 100% on gas! Okay, I know this is easier said than done, but look at ways to ride (or walk) rather than drive and soon it will become a habit. Make sure you buy a bike that fits you and your needs.
5.
Clean out your trunk and you could gain an estimated 1MPG for every 100 pounds tossed. Unless you’re living out of your trunk, you probably have a few items that can be tossed or stored elsewhere. Take a look and you might be surprised on what’s hiding back and dragging down you MPG.
10.
Think greennext time you buy a car. The prices for Hybrid cars and SUV's are coming down, while the MPGs continue to rise. In the long run, getting rid of your current vehicle before you need to could also be a strain on the environment by creating more waste than you are saving.
SAVE MONEY AND ENERGY YEAR AFTER YEAR
LOWERING SAN DIEGO'S BILLS. ONE HOME AT A TIME...
Drafty room?
Many homes have had insulation fall down within the walls or places where the insulation is missing. You could cut holes in all your walls and ceiling to find where these spots are, but why not skip the mess and save thousands of dollars. Contact us and we can find where your drafts are coming from without making a mess.
A/C always running?
San Diego's summer heat can put a real strain on your homes air conditioner if your home is letting cold air out and hot air in. Let us find out exactly where you're home is losing energy and give your A/C a break!
