Energy Conservation and how Seattle property values soar.
February is Energy conservation month
In recognition of February being National Energy Conservation month, I would like to take the opportunity to share some information with you about energy efficiency. One of the best parts about energy efficiency is that you can help protect the environment and save money—all at the same time.
The first step to energy efficiency is conducting a home energy audit. This allows you to assess how much energy your home is using and where you can potentially conserve. Here is a list of things to look for when conducting your own home energy audit, as well as ways you can save energy and money:
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Air Leaks—
You can check for air leaks (drafts) along baseboards, edges of flooring, or junctures of the walls and ceilings. Flowing air through electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames, weather-stripping, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and wall or window mounted air conditioners are also good places to check. You can usually seal leaks by caulking or weather-stripping them.
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Insulation—
If the insulation levels in your home are less than the recommended minimum, you could be losing heat through the ceiling and walls, which could cost you a lot of money. If you think this is happening, consider having a professional assess the insulation levels in your home to determine if you need additional insulation installed.
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Heating/Cooling Equipment—
Inspecting all heating and cooling equipment annually is also a good idea. Replace filters every other month or so, especially when usage is high. I also recommend having a Seattle area professional check and clean your equipment once a year. And if your appliance is more than 15 years old, it’s probably time to update it with a newer, energy-efficient unit. In the meantime, to reduce your demand on heating, it’s recommended that you keep your thermostat set between 65 and 72 degrees during the winter months. Keep in mind that by simply lowering your thermostat one degree, your furnace will use seven percent less energy overall.
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Lighting—
It is estimated that lighting accounts for about 10% of your home energy bill. Lighting that has the Energy Star label uses about 66% less energy than standard lighting. Energy Star compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) provide the same lighting as standard incandescent bulbs but use less energy and last ten times as long.
- Household Appliances —
When purchasing new household appliances read the Energy Guide labels which estimate annual energy use. Many energy-efficient washing machines use up to 40% less water and 60% less energy, which over the process of a year can reduce your power bill by up to $100. Energy-efficient refrigerators use on average 40% less energy and the dishwashers can use up to six less gallons of water per load than washing by hand. Add up the numbers and the savings are significant, both in dollars and energy. There are a number of things you can do to conserve energy around your home; these are just a few ideas to get you started. For more information about energy conservation, I suggest going to www.energystar.gov.
Go Green Without Going Broke in Seattle
How Can I Save the Environment Without Going Broke?
Though many of us in Seattle have heeded the call to live a greener life, we’ve found that what’s good for the environment can sometimes be hard on the wallet. But our friends at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance have put together a list of ten ways to go green without going broke.
1. Insulate your water heater
If it was built before 2004, you can save as much as 10% on your annual water-heating bill by wrapping the tank in an insulating fireproof blanket.
2. Tune up your furnace.
Getting your furnace serviced every two years not only reduces the amount of carbon dioxide it emits, it also cuts your heating bills by up to 10%. Living in Seattle climates, we use our furnaces to an extent.
3. Lower the temperature
The Alliance to Save Energy estimates that you can take 5% off your heating bill for every degree you lower your home’s temperature during the winter.
4. Pad those pipes
You can cut heating costs just by insulating exposed hot water pipes in your home.
5. Weather strip your doors
Putting weather stripping around your front and back doors will net you around $30 a year in energy savings.
6. Wash your clothes in cold
That uses 50 % less energy than washing them in hot water. Use a detergent that cleans well with cold water washes. Some machines wash in hot and rinse in cold.
7. Don’t use permanent press
Employing the regular setting instead of the permanent press setting on your washing machine will conserve five gallons of water per load.
8. Watch your water flow
Save a gallon of water per minute when you’re doing the dishes by restricting the water flow to a stream the width of a straw. Save another two gallons by turning off the water when you brush your teeth for two minutes.
9. Fix that leaking faucet
10. Check your toilet tank
