Satellite Beach, FL (2024)

To reduce energy consumption in your home and increase your energy savings, you do not necessarily need to go out and purchase energy-efficient products. Energy conservation can be as simple as turning off lights or appliances when you do not need them. You can also use energy-intensive appliances less by performing household tasks manually, such as hang-drying your clothes instead of putting them in the dryer or washing dishes by hand.

The behavior adjustments that have the highest potential for utility savings are turning down the heat on your thermostat in the winter and using your air conditioner less in the summer. Heating and cooling costs constitute nearly half of an average home’s utility bills, so these reductions in the intensity and frequency of heating and cooling offer the greatest savings.

There are tools known asenergy monitorsthat you canuse to figure out where most of your electricity is going in your home and which appliances are using the most electricity on a day-to-day basis.

Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume excessive electricity and must be replaced more often than their energy-efficient alternatives. Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use anywhere from 25-80 percent less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. ENERGY STAR^®is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. So, if you look for the ENERGY STAR label, you know you’re getting a product or appliance that’s proven to save energy. For instance, LEDs thathave the ENERGY STAR labeluse up to 90 percent less energy than an incandescent light bulb, while providing the same amount of light.

Although energy-efficient bulbs are more expensive off the shelf, their efficient energy use and longer lifetimes mean they cost less in the long run.

A smart thermostat can be set to automatically turn off or reduce heating and cooling during the times when you are asleep or away. When you install a smart thermostat, you can help reduce the energy you use from heating and cooling without upgrading your HVAC system.

According toENERGY STAR, a smart thermostat could save you approximately 8 percent of your heating and cooling bills, or $50 per year. Savings may vary based on the climate where you live, your personal comfort preferences, how many people live in your home, and the type and age of HVAC equipment in your home. Smart thermostats come in different models that can be set to fit your weekly schedule. Additional features may include indicators for when to replace air filters or HVAC system problems, which also improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Learn more aboutsmart thermostatslikeGoogle NestandEcobee.

When purchasing an appliance, you should pay attention to two numbers: the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. Although energy-efficient appliances might have higher upfront purchase prices, they usually save you money on your monthly utility bill as well as energy.

When purchasing an energy-efficient appliance, you should look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label, which is a federal guarantee that the appliance will consume less energy during use and when on standby than standard models. Energy savings differ based on the specific appliance. For example, ENERGY STAR-certified clothes washers use approximately 20 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than other washers, whereasENERGY STAR refrigeratorsuse only 9 percent less energy. According to ENERGY STAR, certified dishwashers can also save you up as much as 3,800 gallons of water over its lifetime.

Water heating is a major contributor to your total energy usage. Other than purchasing an energy-efficient water heater, there are three methods of reducing your water heating expenses: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, or insulate your water heater along with the first six feet of hot and cold water pipes.

If you are considering replacing your water heater with an efficient model, you should consider two factors: the type of water heater that meets your needs and the fuel it will use. For example, tankless water heaters are energy efficient, but they are also a poor choice for large families as they cannot handle multiple and simultaneous uses of hot water. Heat pump water heaters are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home’s water.ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump water heaterscansave a household of four people approximately $470 per yearon its electric bills compared to a standard electric water heater,adding up to over $4,500 in savings over the water heater’s lifetime. Larger families who typically use more hot water can save even more! While heat pump water heaters usually have a higher upfront cost, thanks to theInflation Reduction Act(IRA) of 2022, there are tax credits and rebates available to many homeowners looking upgrade to a heat pump water heater.

Windows are a significant source of energy waste. TheDOEnotes that heat gain and loss through windows uses 25 to 30 percent of the heating and cooling energy in most homes. To prevent heat loss through your windows, you can replace single-pane windows with double-pane products instead.

For homes in colder regions, “low-e” storm windows are more insulating and can significantly reduce your heating expenses. In addition, low-e interior or exterior storm windows can reduce unnecessary heat loss by 10 to 30 percent. You should especially consider storm windows if your area frequently experiences extreme weather events.

In warmer climates, heat gain through windows may be a problem. In addition to minimizing heat loss, low-e coatings on windows can reduce heat gain by reflecting more light and lowering the amount of thermal energy that enters your home. ENERGY STAR breaks down the most efficient windows by climate or area of the U.S.on their website. Window shades, shutters, screens, and awnings can also provide an extra layer of insulation between your home and outside temperatures, leading to even more energy conservation and better energy management. Some utility companies and states also offer incentives for replacing windows with more energy-efficient versions.

When shopping for energy-efficient windows, there are two key labels to look for:

• ENERGY STAR label: review details on this label just as you would on appliances
• National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label: helps you compare between energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights by providing you with energy performance ratings in multiple categories.

An HVAC system is composed of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Replacingyour old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR certified equipmentcan cut your annual energy bill by nearly $140. Whether you select heat pumps, or a natural gas furnace, you’ll want to ensure the HVAC equipment you choose is sufficient for your climate.

When it comes to HVAC systems, you can choose to install heat pumps which heat and cool your home. Otherwise, you’ll need two systems to do both, such as an air conditioner to cool your home and a furnace or boiler to heat it.

ENERGY STAR notes thatENERGY STAR certified central air conditionershave higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and energy efficiency ratio (EER) ratings and use 8 percent less energy than conventional new models.

Upgrades to the third component of an HVAC system – ventilation – can also improve your energy efficiency. A ventilation system is composed of a network of ducts, which distributes hot and cold air throughout your home. If these ducts are not properly sealed or insulated, the resulting energy waste can add hundreds of dollars to your annual heating and cooling expenses. Proper insulation and maintenance on your ventilation system can reduce your heating and cooling expenses by up to 20 percent.

The most energy efficient way to upgrade your home’s HVAC system is installingair source heat pumps. In order to heat and cool your home, a heat pump transfers heat from one place to another. As a result, air source heat pumps use energy much more efficiently than other technologies and can help with both heating and cooling. In many cases, they offer a smart home energy system upgrade that’s cost and energy efficient.

Weatherizing, or sealing air leaks around your home, is another great way to reduce your heating and cooling expenses. The most common sources of air leaks into your home are vents, windows, and doors. To prevent these leaks, you should ensure that there are no cracks or openings between the wall and vent, window, or doorframe.

To seal air leaks between stationary objects, such as the wall and window frame, you can apply caulk. For cracks between moving objects, such as operable windows and doors, you can apply weather stripping. Weather stripping and caulking are simple air sealing techniques that typically offer a return on investment in less than a year. Air leaks can also occur through openings in the wall, floor, and ceiling from plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring.

Air leaking out of your home is most often from the home interior into your attic through small openings. Whether it is through ducts, light fixtures, or the attic hatch, hot air will rise and escape through small openings. As the natural flow of heat is from warmer to cooler areas, these small openings can make your heating bill even higher if your attic is not sufficiently insulated. To reap the full amount of savings from weatherization, you should consider fully insulating your home.

Insulation plays a key role in lowering your utility bills through retaining heat during the winter and keeping heat out of your home during the summer. The level of insulation you should install depends on the area of your house. Your attic, walls, floors, basem*nt, and crawlspace are the five main areas where you should consider adding insulation.

Sometimes utility providers may offer no-costenergy auditsthrough local contractors, which can help you determine if you need to add insulation. In some cases, programs in your area through your utilities may even help cover some of the cost to add the insulation. You’ll want to check with your local utility to see what’s available.

Using light from the sun is an intuitive way to reduce your energy consumption. When looking for a home, it is better to have north and south-facing windows instead of east and west, if possible. This allows for more glancing light that produces heat and limits harsh light in the winter. While east and west-facing windows allow for more direct sunlight, they aren't as effective at letting heat in.

15. Dress appropriately for the weather inside and outside

While it may seem obvious to bundle up outside when it gets cold in the winter, doing so inside can also help save on your heating costs. If you are staying warm by wearing more clothes indoors, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home.