Your Ultimate Home Energy Efficiency Checklist
Ply Gem’s ultimate checklist to saving money and staying comfortable this summer.
During the summer, and all throughout the year, it’s important to keep your home energy efficient. Why? Not only to be comfortable, but the amount you’ll save on your energy bill. Read more below on how to conserve energy in your home, no matter the season.
Why should you make your home more energy efficient?
1. Keep the heat out during the summer.
Energy efficient windows are well insulated, therefore keeping you and your family safe and dry from whatever weather comes your way. In the summer, this type of energy efficient glass reflects the powerful rays of the sun that can overheat your home and absorbs them in the winter, to keep you comfortable year-round.
2. Save money on your energy bills.
You’d be surprised at the amount of money you could save on your utility bill by just looking around your home and making small changes to save energy. According to national averages from the U.S. Department of Energy, 44% of utility bills resulting from energy usage is heating and cooling the home, 33% is from lighting, cooking and other appliances, 14% is due to water heating and 9% is used by the fridge alone. By being more careful about turning appliances off when they’re not in use and installing energy efficient products, you can cut down on the amount of money spent on your utility bill.
3. Reduce your impact on the environment.
Reduce your environmental footprint by being more energy-conscious at home. By conserving energy, like replacing old, worn-out appliances like washers and dryers or installing Energy Star windows, you’re reducing the amount of fossil fuel emissions, therefore helping protect against damage to the environment.
8 Simple Ways to Achieve a More Energy Efficient Home
1. Install ENERGY STAR® windows and insulated siding.
Energy-efficient windows and insulated siding help keep you and your family comfortable no matter the weather or season outside by absorbing the heat from the sun in the winter and reflecting it in the summer.
2. Turn off lights when not in use.
This might seem like common sense, but sometimes we forget to turn off a lamp or ceiling fan when we leave the room. The less electricity being used means less emissions being emitted into the air.
3. Replace larger appliances.
Big appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers use a hefty amount of energy. When one of these starts to run down, it’s important to replace these appliances with a new, ENERGY STAR Certified product in its place.
4. Lower your thermostat.
According to an article by Quicken Loans, adjusting the temperature in your home by just three to five degrees will reduce your monthly utility bill. When is it the right time of day to do this? Anytime you’re not at home.
5. Replace incandescent bulbs.
Use greener options, like Halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED bulbs, when lighting the inside and outside of your home. You’ll see the reflection of the savings on your electricity bill.
6. Seal all windows.
Lower energy costs by sealing any cracks around windows. Consider using caulk or adding weatherstripping to ensure no unwanted air or moisture leaks into your home.
7. Use a storm door.
An easy addition to your home that packs an extra layer of protection, consider installing a storm door for a barrier from the elements year-round.
8. Turn off unused technology and remove wall chargers.
It may come as a surprise, but leaving plugs, like phone chargers, in walls when not in use can be an energy suck. Simply unplug when not using – these “energy vampires” can be responsible for up to 10% of your energy bill.