If you’ve been following global news, you know the conversation around climate change has been heating up (and apparently, so has our planet). As a result of growing concerns, many conscientious homeowners have begun searching for ways to improve their household energy efficiency. Are you one of them?
While there’s a wide variety of home improvements you can make to reduce your yearly energy consumption, those upgrades can be quite pricey. Fortunately, there are also several far simpler things you can do that cost much less to undertake.
Whether you’re looking to be kind to the planet, save on your bills, or do a bit of both, here are X simple ways you can dramatically reduce your home’s electricity and water consumption.
1. Practice Proper HVAC Maintenance
Did you know your HVAC system consumes up to 66% of your home’s total energy usage? And in Wisconsin, we’re either using our furnaces or our air conditioners at all times of the year.
Winter is frigid, and summer is humid and scorching, and if your furnace and A/C unit aren’t in great condition, they can consume far more energy than you’d like to pay for. The same idea applies to boilers and heat pumps — they all require routine maintenance to function efficiently.
To practice proper heating and cooling maintenance, here’s what you’ll need to do.
Replace the filters at routine intervals.
Insert new HVAC filters according to your system’s instructions. If you have pets, you may need to replace them more frequently.
Schedule routine inspections.
Twice a year, have your heating and cooling professional inspect the area around the air intake, as well as the fan, bearings, and belts.
Clean the coils.
Once or twice per year, clean your air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils to maintain superior energy efficiency. If you’re unsure how to do this without causing damage, hire a heating and cooling professional for the job.
Keep in mind that most HVAC systems have a lifespan of around 15-20 years, so if yours is approaching the end of its usable life, it may be time for furnace or air conditioner replacement.
2. Inspect and Maintain Your Ductwork
If your HVAC system has ductwork (most do), those ducts need to be inspected regularly to check for potential issues that can cause energy waste. Cracks, leaks, and deteriorated seals can allow a considerable amount of conditioned air to escape the duct system over time.
Any degree of air loss will result in an increase in your heating and cooling costs as your system will be forced to work harder than necessary to maintain a constant indoor temperature. Suboptimal duct design can also contribute to efficiency issues if the layout of the ductwork allows for excessive resistance that impedes airflow.
Generally speaking, ductwork has a lifespan of approximately 10-15 years, so if your ducts are older than that, it’s likely time for an inspection.
If you’ve noticed airflow issues in your home — particularly if certain rooms are always cooler or hotter than others — scheduling a duct inspection is also a good idea, regardless of your duct system’s age.
Check out 6 Signs You Should Repair or Replace Your Ductwork for more helpful info.
3. Keep Running Water to a Minimum
How often do you leave the faucet running without a second thought? If you’re like many homeowners, you do it when you brush your teeth, when you’re getting ready to shower, when you’re shaving — the list goes on and on.
To keep your water bills as low as possible, and to avoid wasting water, do your best to turn off your faucets any time you’re not actively using water.
Also, keep in mind that the average shower consumes about 25% of the water that the average bathtub can hold, so if you’re a big fan of bubble baths, now may be the time to make the switch to stand-up bathing.
4. Install Low-Flow Aerators on Faucets and Showerheads
Installing a low-flow faucet and showerhead attachments can reduce your household water use considerably. Depending on the type of aerator you select, you may be able to reduce your water consumption by up to 50% on each faucet you retrofit with the apparatus.
If you’re not confident in your installation abilities, contact a plumbing professional to perform the installation for you.
5. Maintain Your Plumbing Properly
Routine drain cleaning and plumbing maintenance can play a central role in lowering your home’s total water consumption.
It’s nearly impossible to prevent all solid and oily matter from flowing down your drains, and as residue accumulates inside your pipes, you may end up with efficiency-hampering drain clogs. Fortunately, annual professional drain cleaning helps maintain the efficiency of your pipes and reduces your chances of developing more severe plumbing problems.
It’s also important to pay close attention to your household toilets since aging toilet components can contribute to plumbing leaks and excess water consumption. If you can hear your toilet trickling constantly or if it’s just not flushing as it should, contact a plumber for toilet repair.
6. Opt for LED Light Bulbs
Swapping out your incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs might seem like it won’t make much of a dent in your household energy use or costs. But you might be surprised at just how much LEDs can save you over time.
According to the Department of Energy, LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than their incandescent counterparts and typically last about 25 times longer. Although your monthly cost savings may not be earth shattering, outfitting your entire home with LEDs can save you approximately $1,000 over the course of a decade.
What could you do with an extra grand in your pocket?
7. Install More Insulation
According to energy.gov, “unless your home was specially constructed for energy efficiency, you can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation.”
So whether you own an older home or your home is newer but it wasn’t built with energy consumption in mind, chances are you’re losing warm or cool air through your walls and attic.
To find out if that’s indeed true, you’ll need to inspect your home’s existing insulation for thickness and determine its R-value. From there, you can select the best type of add-on insulation for your home and install it in locations that are lacking.
Need a Plumbing or HVAC Professional Near Wisconsin Rapids?
Whether you’re looking for ways to make your home more energy efficient or your HVAC or plumbing system needs repairs, our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating is always here to help. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our team is on call, so whenever you need assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
To learn more about our services, feel free to call us at 715-421-1800 or request an estimate online, and we’ll get in touch with additional info.