Home Money Saving Tips

Now that the warmer weather is just about here, these home money saving tips can help stretch your monthly buget.

If you set your A/C thermostat a little higher during summer months, you'll reduce your cooling costs 3-4% for each degree of adjustment. Changing the temperature from 74°F to 77°F could lower your energy bill by more than 10%.

A whole house fan is a simple and inexpensive method of cooling a house, particularly during times when the humidity levels are not too high.

If you buy a new air conditioner, buy an efficient model that is sized and installed properly.

New air conditioners must have a minimum SEER rating of 13. Be aware of how the SEER rating can affect your energy use.

A properly ventilated home can significantly improve overall comfort levels and also reduce energy costs.

Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans wisely. In just 1 hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.

Insulate and seal all attic access openings properly.

Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows that leak air. You will be surprised about the amount of energy lost through the cracks and openings in a home.

Crawl spaces can be a significant source of energy loss during both summer and winter, and should be properly insulated.

One of the most cost-effective ways to reduce your energy costs is to reduce the air leakage within your home as much as possible.

When properly selected and installed, windows can help minimize a home's heating, cooling, and lighting costs.