Save on Electricity, Save the World (Level 2…Homeowners)

See… you’ve started taking steps to slash your electric bill and save the world, and you did it all without having to wear your superhero tights. Good for you!

But if you own a home, it’s time to level up!

There are so many minor modifications that you can make to your home over time that will make a major impact on the energy bill and the environment.

Get your Meter Checked
Believe it or not, the energy meter may not always be reading properly. In a lot of cases the meter will read that you’re using more energy than you actually are. Would you really surprised if I told you that this will take a special phone call and request to get this fixed? In some cases, homes who have a properly running meter saved up to $30 on their electric bill in a single month, all because their meter wasn’t reading properly…

Motion Sensing Switches
Most people associate Motion sensing switches with the outdoors, and yes they save you money, and you should get those, but really this section is for the motion sensing switches that are for the indoors. These switches will turn on as soon as it senses motion in the room and turn off, shortly after it has detected the room is no longer occupied.

Parents, imagine not having to play lightswitch police anymore! How great is that!?

Not only have these switches saved homes anywhere between 15-80% on their energy bills, but in many cases can also be used as a tax deduction.

Low Flow Aerators
Installing Low-Flow shower heads and faucet aerators is the single most effective water conservation savings you can do for your home.
Inexpensive and simple to install, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50%, and reduce your energy cost of heating the water also by as much as 50%.

This conservation of water and energy is not only good for the environment, but the savings in your utility bills will pay for the cost of the aerators within a few months. From then on, you enjoy continued savings.

Programmable Thermostats
Homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings. The pre-programmed settings that come with qualified programmable thermostats are intended to deliver savings without sacrificing comfort. Depending on your family’s schedule, you can see significant savings by sticking with those settings or adjust them as appropriate for your family. The key is to establish a program that automatically reduces heating and cooling in your home when you don’t need as much.

Energy Efficient Appliances
Not really a whole lot to say here, you know what appliances can be replaced (fridge, dishwasher, air conditioner, etc…) when it comes time to buy new ones, invest in appliances with the Energy Star logo and you’re guaranteed to save more money on your energy bill in the long run.

By taking these steps you can save a dramatic amount of money on your monthly energy bill. Yes, some of these items are an investment, and some things will take some time to install, but the savings that you’ll see will be well worth it.

If you want to get even more advanced there is a step by step guide from the U.S department of energy that gives you a quick checklist for a DIY audit of your home. It covers insulation, air leaks, amongst other items, and the whole site is dedicated to making your home far more energy efficient.

Are you already doing some of these things in your home?

Share with us what you’ve done to make your home more energy efficient and your average savings in the comments below!