Green Your Home and Save $$

Fall-Winter Tips

Want to save money on your energy bills? Try some of these simple do it yourself tips for Fall &Winter:

• Install a programmable thermostat with your heating system to automatically lower the temperature at night or when no one is home.
• Reduce cold air by insulating, caulking, weather stripping around all openings in the walls – doors, windows, outlets, attic access etc.
• Check batteries on your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke detectors – Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a great schedule to follow.
• Ensure that all heating vents are not blocked by furniture, carpets etc. Maintain regularly, for optimum efficiency.
• Maintain your fireplace regularly if it is in use, if not keep the flue damper tightly closed or consider getting it capped off.
• Remove all window air conditioning units during the winter months to minimize heat loss, if the unit cannot be removed, cover securely to reduce drafts.
• To reduce drafts from switch plates and outlets by exterior walls, install rubber gaskets, which can be purchased at hardware stores.
• Reverse the rotation on ceiling fans to help circulate the warm air throughout the room.

Year Round Tips

• Check all pipes for leaks
• Wash laundry in cold water
• Use Compact Florescent Light bulbs (CFLs)
• Purchase Energy Star Labeled appliances. They use less energy
• Unplug your cell phone chargers when they are not in use.
• Unplug appliances and equipment when not in use, including TVs, cable boxes, computers, and monitors; doing this daily will not damage them. Use power strips that allow you to shut off power on multiple appliances.
• Install low-flow showerheads, aerators and low flush toilets; this helps to conserve water.

Comprehensive Home Assessment

Want to do more? Consider hiring a Building Performance Institute (BPI)-Certified contractor to do a Comprehensive Home Assessment. You will learn exactly where you are losing costly energy and how to fix the problem. NHS offers low-interest NYSERDA loans to qualified borrowers to cover the cost of the repairs. That's a double savings! To find out more, click here to visit the NYSERDA website and learn more.

Questions?

Click here to contact NHS Construction Services.