From Guest Blogger Brooke Chapman: Five Unique Ideas for your Utilities that Will Lead to a More Energy-Efficient Home
For many homeowners, their utility bill is often one of the highest expenses for the property and can be difficult to afford throughout the year. From the cost of heating the home to using electricity, there are a long list of necessities to keep the property both comfortable and functional. To enhance the home’s energy efficiency and save money, there are a few unique ideas to begin practicing.
Install an Irrigation Meter
An irrigation meter can be used to reuse water that you’ve already used, which can save a significant amount of money throughout the year. The meter will make it easy to avoid getting charged for sewer capacity to reduce your water bill.
Set the Water Heater at 120 Degrees
Setting your water heater at 120 degrees can save up to $100 each year by avoiding standby heat loss. You can even turn the electric heater off and turn the gas heater down while you’re on vacation to increase your savings.
Set the Thermostat
Setting the thermostat in your home will make it easier to use less energy by keeping the house at a comfortable temperature. This will make it easier to reach for a blanket instead of always turning on the heat when you want to get warmer. You can also set the thermostat for a few degrees lower during the night to avoid using it when it’s not needed.
Use a Submersible Pump
A submersible pump from places like PFC Equipment, Inc. can be used in different types of dewatering applications for a product that comes with several different features. They are capable of flowing to 17,000 GPM, have complete lift station packages, and heads to 1,200 feet. This will make for an energy-efficient industrial operation with an affordable submersible pump.
Use Reusable AC and Furnace Filters
If you have reusable AC and furnace filters on hand, it can save more money and will also reduce the amount of energy usage with your utility bill. This will avoid having to use disposable filters, which need to be replaced every three months and cost $4 each.
When it comes to reducing the usage of your home’s utilities, there are several ways to make your property more energy-efficient. With simple tweaks that are easy to perform, you can save more money during the year and even reduce your carbon footprint for a space that is still comfortable and enjoyable to spend time in.
You mention saving energy by adjusting the water heater and I have to mention saving energy by installing a drain water heat exchanger. 90% of the energy used to heat water goes right down the drain. A drain water heat exchanger will recover that lost heat and use it to preheat the feed to the water heater extending it’s life, decreasing recovery time and reducing the energy used to heat water by 30%+. No matter how you heat water this works.
Brian