Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Finally, we have a day that I understand.  January 10^th is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day.  Frankly, I am getting a bit tired of “green” everything, so cutting energy costs is something that I can sink my teeth into and know that we all want.

I Love A Geeky Piggy Bank - Bet It'll Save Energy Costs

Beyond the advice of adjusting your thermostats and turning off lights, here are some meaningful ways that we cut energy costs as a Tampa home builder:

• Appliances:  Selecting energy-efficient Energy Star rated appliances is the easiest way to ensure that you’re saving yourself energy.  Compared to standard appliances, Energy Star refrigerators are 20% more efficient saving about $100 each year.  The same is true for dishwashers, clothes washers and many other appliances.  Go to www.energystar.gov to learn more.
• Gas:  Whether it’s propane or natural, both are more energy efficient than electric for water heating and clothes drying.  Sure it’s nice to cook with it and fireplace starting and cleaning is easier, but it’s the water heater and clothes dryer that will cut your energy costs.  An average home will save 40% or $200 per year with gas tankless water heating alone (Read More).
• HVAC:  When it comes to your cooling and heating systems, Tampa custom homes have a lot of options.  There is increasing the efficiency or SEER of the system (Read More) or installing variable speed air handlers (Read More).  All of these will significantly reduce your energy spend.
• Insulation:  One of the most cost efficient ways to reduce your energy spending.  R Value is the way insulation’s efficiency is rated.  As an example, on block walls you can go from the standard R-5 foam board to an R-15, which will pay for itself in less than a year (Read More).
• Windows:   Today’s windows and doors are dramatically more energy efficient than windows of the past.  Whether vinyl or aluminum, windows with double pane glass and a Low-E film will save you big.
• Energy Monitor:  Lastly, we are testing energy monitors for the first time.  They won’t cut your energy costs by themselves, but they will help you learn where you are spending money on energy.  Research has shown that just by knowing this information, your behavior changes and you’ll cut your energy spending by 10-15% (Read More).

Just a few of the ways you can cut your energy costs.  Hope you enjoy Cut Your Energy Costs Day!

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