With energy costs high and no relief in sight, we figured it was time to make a list of some of the small things you can do to cut down on energy consumption.
Heating Tips
Take advantage of free solar heat (ie.
the sun) – keep blinds open in the day to let in sun, close them at
night to hold in the heat
Check your heaters filter, does it need replacing? If so, replace it. This should be a once a month type of project
Set thermostat at 68 degrees, 2-3 degrees lower if you’ll be away from the house for several hours
Do you have a fireplace? If so, close the flue when not in use
Use warm clothes, blankets, etc. to feel
warmer. This will allow you to lower your thermostat temp. Don’t be
afraid to snuggle with a loved one, or even a pet!
Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and
windows. It’s inexpensive, and it can significantly reduce drafts and
improve comfort. Drafts are the number source of enery/heat leakage in
the home.
Turn off exhaust fans immediately after use. Exaust fans are actually blowing your heated air outside
Use ceiling fans (”backwards”) to
circulate warm air down from the ceiling. You will be amazed at what a
difference this makes. Remember, warm air rises.
Cooking helps heat your home – but don’t
use the oven as a primary heat source.
Using the oven to heat your home
can be extremely dangerous
Have your heat pump or furnace serviced at least once annually. Ensure that it is running efficiently.
Haritha provides international standards of living flats and apartments in Thrissur in a lush green setting with Traditional Architecture and Modern Engineering.
Cooling Tips
Control solar heat – keep windows shaded to keep out direct sun. Dark wooden blinds seem to work the best.
Replace filter in air conditioning unit
at least once a month. If you can’t replace, at least remove it and
clean it in the sink or shower.
Set thermostat at 79 degrees, 2-3 degrees higher if you’ll be away from the house for several hours
Use ceiling fans to make your home feel
cooler. You want to keep the fans on “forward” to ensure the warm air is
sucked up. Basically, do the opposite of trying to warm your house:)
Turn off all unnecessary lights and appliances – they add heat to your home and cost you money
Do cooking and other heat producing
chores during cooler parts of the day (morning or evening). If you have
an outdoor grill, fire it up. Not only is grilling a great way to reduce
the heat inside your home, it’s healthy!
Turn off exhaust fans after use. Again,
you are blowing your cooler air outside. Remember when your folks used
to say, “Hey, we’re not heating the outside”? Well, we’re not trying to
cool the outside either
Ask the landlord to service the AC at
least once a year.
This should not be a problem, especially if the
landlord would like the unit to last more than a couple of years. If the
unit seems as though it’s not cooling your home efficiently, ask the
landlord to replace.
Water Heating and Lowering Water Consumption Tips
Use low flow fixtures/faucet aerators
Don’t let hot water run when shaving, brushing teeth, doing dishes, etc.
If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down
Do only full loads of wash
Use cold or warm water wash instead of hot to save
Lights/Appliances
Turn off when not in use(Duh!)
Use compact fluorescent lamps instead of
traditional light bulbs. There are a slew of energy saving light bulbs on
the market. They tend to cost more up front, but end up saving you
money in the long run
Haritha provides international
standards of living flats and apartments in Thrissur in a lush green
setting with Traditional Architecture and Modern Engineering.
Haritha Homes’ vision
is to bring the lushness of God’s Own Country to city life by creating a
secure, pollution free and luxurious flat for sale in Thrissur
for living environment within an urban centre and provide international
living standards in a lush green setting with traditional architecture
and modern engineering.
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