Saving money on energy doesn’t have to entail major renovations. Some small-scale efforts can yield significant energy savings, and collectively, add up to big savings. Here are some small home energy upgrades to consider for your Woodlands or Conroe home.
Smart Home Energy Upgrades
- Replace the refrigerator. Two ways that refrigerator manufacturers improve on efficiency are by providing better sealing and better insulation. If you have an older refrigerator, it may not seal as tightly as it could to prevent leaking cold air.
- Seal air leaks. If too much unconditioned air gets in and too much conditioned air leaks out of your home, you need to find and seal air leaks. Discover where air is entering or leaking from by waving a stick of lit incense around windows and doors. Seal areas where smoke wavers with caulk and weatherstripping. If there’s a gap under exterior doors, add a door sweep.
- Reset the water heater temperature. Storage-type water heaters keep water at a set temperature 24/7, whether you use the water or not. Turning the temperature down to 120 degrees won’t be too noticeable physically, but it can save a considerable amount of energy.
- Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat frees you from remembering to adjust the temperature up or down to save energy when the home isn’t occupied. Program the thermostat lower or higher, depending on the season, when the home’s occupants are away or asleep. You’ll save serious money when you maintain the settings for eight or more hours at a time.
- Add attic and wall insulation. Insulation can make a huge difference in keeping the home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Insulate the floor of the attic with batts or foam so warm air doesn’t leak through the ceiling in the winter, and so that hot air doesn’t migrate through the ceiling in summer. Loose fill insulation can be added in wall cavities by drilling a hole and blowing it in, while foam insulation can be injected.
For more advice on home energy upgrades, contact Bradbury Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly serve homeowners in The Woodlands and surrounding areas.
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