Blog Post Updated on: May 18, 2020
In this post, you will learn…
- 5 energy conservation tips for your home
- How energy-efficient windows can save you money
- Why conserving energy in your home doesn't have to be expensive and time-consuming
As a homeowner, you most likely try to lower your monthly bills wherever possible. Most of the time, monthly utility bills are out of your control. However, there is one way to take back control of your monthly bills: energy conservation.
That phrase used to conjure up visions of electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines. While those are all great ideas, we know that homeowners don’t need to go to drastic measures to save money. There are simple steps you can follow that can result in monthly savings on your utility expenses.
Start with the Basics
There are some affordable changes you can make today that may reduce the amount of energy you use in your home, and in turn, the amount of your utility bills.
Clean your furnace/air filters to allow your HVAC system to run faster and more efficiently.- Close unused air vents to prevent major strain on your system from heating or cooling rooms that are rarely used.
- Make sure to turn off all appliances when not in use, including room lighting. Even though it may not seem like much, being diligent about turning off your lights when you are not in the room, can and will reduce your energy consumption.
- Change your incandescent bulbs to CFL or LED bulbs. CFL bulbs use up to 25 to 80 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, and LED bulbs use less wattage than both incandescent and CFL bulbs and can last a lifetime. For example, if you replace just 5 of the most frequently used incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs, you can save $75 each year.
- Seal any leaks around the house. Whether it’s a drafty door or a leaky duct, seal up any breeches. Unwanted cold or warm air can enter your home through these leaks, causing your HVAC to work overtime and increase your utility bills.
An Energy-Efficient Home
Conserve the maximum amount of energy with an energy-efficient home. But what does that mean? We’ve all seen the EnergyStar® emblem on appliances. Those stickers will tell you approximately how much it will cost to run that appliance each year. You may think that spending money on a new appliance can’t possibly save you money, but a new, energy-efficient washing machine could end up paying for itself in just a couple of years. After that, it's pure savings!
But complete home energy efficiency doesn't end with new appliances. In order to ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible, you must look at your windows and doors. Old, leaky and drafty windows are responsible for as much as 70% of your home's energy loss. That’s a lot of wasted money.
You can correct this with Stanek® replacement windows, which have features to help you conserve your home's energy. Low-E (low emissivity) windows have a very thin coating on the glass that reflects hot and damaging solar waves, which keeps your home temperate. Combining Low-E windows with double-pane glass filled with argon gas helps to cut your energy costs even more because the dense gases act as insulation between your panes of glass.
If your home is prone to wind or any other type of extreme weather, install triple-pane glass windows with either argon gas, along with a Low-E coating. This will minimize any loss of energy, ensuring it stays in your home, where it can work efficiently to keep you comfortable all year long and save you money on energy costs.
If you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, call the experts at Stanek® Windows to learn more, or schedule your free, in-home estimate online today.
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