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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTop 10 Home Energy Hacks July 2018Top 10 Home Energy and Efficiency Hacks With simple steps, you can save hundreds of dollars in home energy costs each year. Many steps, such as turning off lights, don’t cost a dime. Along with saving money, you will protect your family’s health by burning fewer fossil fuels and reducing the pollutants they emit. Get a home energy audit A home energy audit will help you understand how and where you use energy in your home, and prioritize recommendations for the best and most cost-effective opportunities for energy savings. Contact NorthWestern Energy to schedule a free* energy audit (*restrictions apply; call (800) 823-5995 to check eligibility) Hire a certified home energy auditor for a more in-depth, whole house audit Make simple changes to your behaviors: this costs nothing and could add up to major savings! Air dry dishes and clothes Wash in cold water and only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine Turn off lights and electronics when not in use Turn off the water while brushing your teeth Take shorter showers Set your thermostat at 78 or higher in the summer and 66 or lower in the winter; wear a sweater in the winter and open windows at night in the summer for comfort Keep your freezer full, and let hot food cool before putting it in the refrigerator Close blinds and drapes to keep out the sun in hot weather Switch to LED lighting Switching to efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Not all LED bulbs are the same! Make sure to check brightness (lumens: the higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb) and color temperature (measured in Kelvin: soft, warmer light, closest to traditional incandescent bulbs is 2700-3000K; neutral white is 3500-4100K; and blue white/daylight bulbs are 5000-6500K) Look for Energy Star or DLC (Design Lights Consortium) certified—these bulbs have been verified to perform as advertised CFLs and fluorescent bulbs contain hazardous substances; make sure to dispose of them responsibly. Check https://gallatinsolidwaste.org/hhw/ for household hazardous waste disposal info Weatherize your home to minimize heat loss in winter and heat gain/AC loss in summer Seal air leaks with caulk and weather stripping Seal ducts, attic and crawl space Add more insulation Check http://weatherization.org/ for helpful how-to videos and PDFs Use smart power strips and power management settings on electronics The average US household owns 24 consumer electronic products, which are responsible for 12% of household electricity use, according to Energy Star. Many of these devices continue to draw electricity even when they are not being used Use power management settings on computers and monitors to put your equipment in low-power mode after periods of inactivity Turn off electronics when not in use. Unplug or use a power strip to simply switch everything off with one button. Smart power strips can prevent electronics from using power when they are not turned on Stream media on a tablet or smart TV rather than game console Install a programmable or smart thermostat, AND adjust the settings for nighttime and periods you will be away from the house for four hours or more Repair leaky faucets right away, and install Energy Star, high efficiency, or CEE Tier rated appliances, and WaterSense® fixtures WaterSense®: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-products Energy Star: https://www.energystar.gov/ CEE Tier: https://library.cee1.org/conten t/qualifying-product-lists-residential-clothes-washers Participate in the City of Bozeman’s indoor water rebate program and get cash back for installing high efficiency toilets, clothes washers, and showerheads in your home. Go to www.bozemanwater.com and click the water conservation button to learn more Reduce outdoor water use Did you know that 50% of water used in the summer goes into lawns and landscapes? Your sprinkler system can use more water in one week than your family uses inside your home in a month. Sign up for a free sprinkler system assessment with the City of Bozeman’s Water Conservation Division at 406-582-2280 Participate in the City of Bozeman’s outdoor water rebate program and get cash back for installing high efficiency sprinkler system products such as WaterSense® smart controllers, rain sensors, and MSMT nozzles, drip irrigation or drought tolerant plants Pick up a copy of the Water Smart Planting Guide for the Bozeman Area to learn more landscaping tips and tricks including composting, mulching, watering, as well as an extensive drought tolerant plant list Reduce water heating expenses Turn down the temperature on water heater to 120° Insulate hot water tank and pipes, or buy a newer, more efficient model Perform routine maintenance Replace air filters Check air vents and don’t block or close them—it makes the system imbalanced and have to work harder Want to do more? Visit www.Bozeman.net and click on “Sustainability” under the Government tab for next steps, resources on deeper energy retrofits, and renewable energy.