5 Things that REALLY Will Put a Serious Dent in Your Energy Bills #realestate #savings #homeownership

Source:  HouseLogic, Christina Hoffman

Eighty-nine percent of us believe we're doing the right things to lower energy costs, and almost half of us think our homes already are energy efficient.  Yet, 59% of us say our bills are going up, not down, despite our efforts to economize.

You just need to know what improvements really will make the biggest difference to lower your bills.  There are five, and the good news is that they're really (seriously) cheap.

1.  Caulk and Seal Air Leaks
Buy a few cans of Great Stuff and knock yourself out over a weekend to seal around:
- Plumbing lines
- Electric wires
- Recessed lighting
- Windows
- Crawlspaces
- Attics

Savings:  Up to $227 a year - even more if you add or upgrade your insulation.

2.  Hire a Pro to Seal Ductwork and Give Your HVAC a Tune-up
Leaky ducts are a common energy-waster.

Savings:  Up to $412 a year.

3.  Program Your Thermostat
​
Savings:  Up to 180% a year.

4.  Replace All Your Light Bulbs with LEDs.  
They're coming down in price, making them even more cost effective.

Savings:  $75 a year or more by replacing your five most frequently used bulbs with Energy Star-rated models.

5.  Reduce the Temperature on Your Water Heater.
Set your tank heater to 120 degrees - not the 140 degrees most are set out of the box.  Also wrap an older water heater and the hot water pipes in insulating material to save on heat loss.

Savings:  $12 to $30 a year for each 10-degree reduction in temp.

---