It’s not necessary to spend thousands in order to save energy and money in the future. Here are four energy-saving trends to keep an eye on.
- 1. Energy management systems
- These systems allow you to control your entire home with a remote control or even a smartphone. Worried you left the heater on? Want your home to be cool when you get back from work? Control your air conditioning and heating system, appliances, security system, and more with a remote control. You can ensure your home is safe when you’re gone and avoid wasting energy. While these systems are still in their early phases, they’ll undoubtedly become more popular—and more accessible—as time goes by.
- 2. Programmable and smart thermostats
- Programmable thermostats are now widely available and cost as little as $50. This technology allows allow you to adjust the temperature at certain times of the day or night. If your house typically sits empty at specific time through the day, a programmable thermostat can bring you considerable savings over the course of a month.
Smart thermostats go beyond programmable thermostats. These gadgets “learn” how and when you use heating and air conditioning, and adjust to your patterns. They also allow you to control your heating and conditioning remotely and display your energy consumption in real time. Some smart thermostats even adjust themselves according to conditions like humidity.
Since 40% of your monthly energy bill is likely connected to heating and air conditioning, smart thermostats can save you a lot of dough. They’re also becoming more mainstream, so expect costs to continue dropping. Consult an HVAC specialist for more detailed info about a smart thermostat for your home.
- 3. Insulating blankets
- To make your water heater more efficient, consider investing in an insulating “blanket.” They only cost around $20, but can save you up to 9% on your water-heating costs every month. An insulating blanket usually pays for itself in about a year.
These blankets are particularly helpful if your water heater is located in a garage, basement, or attic. The higher the “R-value” of the blanket, the more insulating power it has. Keep in mind that if your water heater is new, it is probably insulated already. If it’s older, and the R-value is less than 24, consider getting an insulating blanket.
- 4. Energy star-rated ceiling fans
- To increase heat in your home during cooler months, run the fan in a clockwise direction. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling, which reduces the HVAC load as much as 10%. In the warmer months, run the fan in a counterclockwise direction to circulate cool air. This can make the temperature feel significantly cooler!
Helping the planet and your wallet
These are just a few of many great energy-saving products and tricks out there, and there are many more. It’s entirely possible for homeowners to save energy, lower monthly energy bills and do something good for the planet. If you’re looking for more practical tips, ask your HVAC specialist for advice during the next preventative maintenance visit.