Tips for lowering your energy costs!
With the fall approaching and then winter around the corner, what are you doing to protect your wallet and save the green backs? We could be in for a mild winter, or maybe not. At least it would be a good idea to test your heating system before the cold gets here, you don't want to wait until you need to, then don't have it.
So here are some tips to consider.
- Clean your furnace filter - Make sure your furnace filter is clean and replaced with a new one. This is one of the most overlooked and yet easiest to fix.
- Add insulation - Your attic could use a layer of insulation, this again is an area where you can create a big saving.
- Replace your light bulbs - with all the energy savings features available, there are many energy-efficient bulbs such as the fluorescent ones that us 75 percent less electricity.
- Protect your pipes - insulating your water lines in crawl spaces and the attic are sometimes overlooked. Hot water lines lose heat and can be wrapped to prevent this heat loss. The distance from the hot water tank to your shower may be long enough to allow a great deal of heat loss.
- Install a programmable thermostat - so many to choose from today, these are fairly inexpensive and provide a great deal of benefit. Lower the heat late at night can create a significant savings.
- Redirect the heat - here's a easy one, if you use the ceiling fans, reverse the direction of the fan during the winter to run counterclockwise pushing the warm air away from the ceiling and down the walls to the living area. Close down vents in less used rooms but not all the way. Check the basement duct work for a change in the flow of heat from your furnace. Many new homes today have a directional flow in the duct work that allows more air flow in upper areas of the home. You may see a winter and summer setting on your duct work.
- Use Special Paint - there now is a non-toxic ceramic powder you can put in your paint before you paint that room with a fresh coat of paint. This allows a reduction in the amount of heat passing through the walls. It creates a radiant barrier that reflects heat back into the room.
There you go! Something to think about the next time you don't have anything to do!
David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors
Guiding You HOME!
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