Have you stopped running to the mailbox since all you get are bills? – Tired of calling the utility company to see why your bill increased?
As you probably know, trying to contest a utility bill usually ends up being a waste of time. Ever notice that you are rarely entitled to a refund? -- The good news is that you can fight this war with the energy saving tips upfront. Some will save you up to 30% on your bills so listen up!
Wrap your Water Heater – Insulation blanket s can usually be purchased at Home Depot or Menards for about $20. Make sure that it easily straps to the water heater and you don’t need to use duct tape which can be tricky. – Also, turn down your water heater to a temp that still works for you. When you leave on vacation, be sure to set it to the “Vacation” setting.
Keep your Furnace Filter Clean – Replace or clean your air filter monthly. Doing so will allow your furnace to more easily push that heat to the far corners of your home.
Keep Windows Insulated – If you are getting new windows, you don’t need a high profile brand as long as they are double paned. – For older windows, make sure they are properly caulked and the storm windows are always closed after temps go below 40 degrees at night. (As a real estate agent, I am always amazed at how many landlords and homeowners don’t do this.)
Seal Front and Back Doors – Wait for a windy day, close the doors, and test them for leaks with a lite match. – You can lose a substantial amount of heat through just one door. – New doors are expensive so try to seal it with door seal kits from Home Depot or Menards.
Attic Insulation – You should have at least 8 inches of attic insulation. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation will be at keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Recommended R-values are on the North American Insulation Manufacturer's Association Website (naima.org). Always go one level higher that what is recommended for your area. -- If you are hiring installers, make sure they use the insulation labeled on the bag by telling them that they can’t open the bags and load the blower (if they are blowing it in) until you are there to monitor. – Don’t be embarrassed about babysitting them. Cheap insulation will cost you a lot in lost heat, even in the first Winter!
Florescent Light Bulbs – Throw out all those old light bulbs and replace with new high-efficiency ones. New ones can work with dimmers and you don’t need designer bulbs in most recessed lighting since the new bulbs also give off a more natural “soft white” glow, not the stark white like the old florescent bulbs.
When you go to sell your home, your real estate agent will be happy to highlight your energy saving updates. – If you are a landlord, your tenants will appreciate it too and you can show how much they pay for bills to the new tenants. Just be sure to keep those filters clean and talk to renters about keeping storm windows securely closed in the Winter (especially if you pay for the heat!).
Thanks for reading,
Chicago Realtor John Meyers (Managing Broker of Meyers Realty & Chicagoland Rentals) www.MeyersRealty-Chicago.com
Tel. 847-533-7115
Comments(0)