Is Your Home Truly Energy-Efficient?
The average American spends about $112.56 on utilities each month. There are some variations across the United States with residents of Alaska, Connecticut, and Maryland paying the most. Meanwhile, residents of Utah, Colorado and Maine usually pay the least. Regardless of where you choose to live, however, you will want to ask some questions to make sure that your home is energy efficient.
Are There Air Leaks?
A typical home loses up to 33 percent of its heated and cooled air through air leaks. It is vital to find these leaks and fix them quickly. While it is best to do a pressurization test, many problems can be spotted visually. Start by examining outdoor water faucets, areas where the foundation meets the structure and where the structure meets the chimney for indications that air is leaking. Move on to fixing any other places where the air is leaking including under doors and around windows.
Are You Living in the Right Size Home?
Many people are living in homes that are too large for them. The average person needs less than 440 square feet to live comfortably. Yet, the average home built in America contains more than 2,600 square feet. While the total square footage of new homes went down slightly following the 2008 housing bubble, it has now continued to climb for many years. In fact, the size of new homes has gone up from 1,660 square feet over the last four decades. Remember, the bigger the home, the more energy it uses.
Is Your Heating System Efficient?
While heating systems have become more energy efficient than ever before, some types of systems still offer homeowners the most energy-efficient choices. If you are thinking of putting in a new system, then solar is the most efficient choice in most of the United States. Alternatively, electric heaters are the least efficient choice. If you cannot get a new energy efficient system right now, then make sure that you maintain your current system in prime condition by having it inspected and repaired, by a company like Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar, regularly.
What Type of Lighting Should Be Used?
The average home in the United States has 45 light bulbs in it. Incandescent light bulbs are not energy efficient to operate and they give off heat. Many people switched to using halogen incandescent bulbs, but they are not the most energy-efficient bulbs available today. Replacing those bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs saves an average of $180 per year on utility bills. They also put out no greenhouse emissions. If everyone did this one simple thing, it would be like taking 800,000 cars off America’s freeways.
There are many ways that you can save on your energy bill. Choose a simple step and begin today!
