Minimizing energy usage in your Bennington area home is not only good for the environment but will also save you money.
Thermostat Settings
An electronic thermostat can help save money on heating and cooling. Instead of keeping your heat or A/C on the entire day, you can set your system to adjust at different times of day. This also prevents you from forgetting to decrease the settings when you leave home or at night.
An Extra Note About Heating
The strategy for adjusting the temperature in a home may relate to the type of heating system. Forced hot air systems raise the temperature of a space in a short amount of time, whereas hot water systems take much more time. If you have a forced hot air unit, drop the temperature significantly and program it to re-adjust immediately before you plan to be home. Hot water systems need more time to heat up, so it is best not to drop the temperature too far and to also allow it sufficient time to warm back up.
Air Conditioning Advice
Placement of air conditioners is important. For built-in units, the best location for vents is close to the ceiling since cold air falls. For free-standing systems, keep them a good distance from doorways that open frequently and where air can quickly escape.
Electricity Usage
Appliances use energy even when they are not running. For instance, an LCD or plasma television consumes about 400 watts when turned on and 4 watts when powered off. When you consider all of the electronics in a house, it can add up to a lot of unnecessary electricity over the course of time. Take the time to unplug electronics that are not frequently used. To make this easier, install a surge protector with multiple electronics plugged in and shutting the entire surge protector off.
Water Consumption
Water is one of the most misused resources in Bennington properties. As a simple first step, do not leave water running while brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Promptly fix plumbing leaks or running toilets. Consider water-saving toilets or place a filled water bottle into the tanks of older toilets to reduce the amount of water used for flushing. Low-flow faucets and shower heads will also help. These improvements will save on both water and sewer charges.
Monitoring Air Leaks
Keep doors and windows sealed to maintain the heat or air conditioning in your residence. If you have doorways with two sets of doors, avoid having both open at the same time. This will minimize the amount of air that leaks out of the interior of your home.
Lighting
Make use of natural sunlight whenever possible to illuminate and heat up interior spaces. Use solar powered outside lights. Low energy use light bulbs are readily available and many are brighter and last longer than their normal counterparts, making the upgrade an easy decision.
Some of these energy-saving practices are quickly implemented while others require you to be more conscious of your daily practices. Combined, they can result in significant savings on your recurring utility bills. Practice energy reduction at all times in your home to gain the most benefit from your efforts.
