So you’ve just moved into your nice new home. You’ve unpacked the boxes, and are beginning to settle into your residence. Now is the perfect time to walk through a checklist of ways to save money on your home’s energy bill!
Starting on these items as early as possible will allow you to start saving money sooner rather than later. Here are seven things to check on or do immediately that will reduce the energy and maintenance costs of your home over the long haul:
1. Install a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat allows you to schedule automatic increases and decreases in your home’s temperature. This lets your house naturally warm (or cool in the winter) while you’re at work or asleep, saving quite a bit of energy use, and then when it comes time for you to actively use the house, the thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature of your home back to what you prefer.
2. Hang a clothes rack in your laundry room or on an outdoor clothesline.
A clothes dryer can really eat up your energy costs, but it’s convenient for many people. Save money by drying clothes the old fashioned way, by installing a clothesline outside where the wind can catch it and help it dry.
3. Plant shade trees near your house.
Shade trees cool your home during those warm summer months, reducing the amount of direct sun that hits your home. Lowering the external temperature of your home saves significantly on your cooling bills during the summer. Plant them now, so they’ll grow and shade your house sooner.
4. Install ceiling fans in most rooms.
Ceiling fans are a low-energy way to keep air moving in your home. Because of the air circulation effect, you can get away with keeping your thermostat a degree or two higher in summer and a degree or two lower in winter, which can help you save big.
5. Check all toilets, faucets, and under-sink plumbing for leaks.
Complete a thorough inspection of the plumbing in your home before you settle in. If you find a toilet is running constantly or a leaking faucet – it’s going to cost you money long-term.
6. Replace your air filter.
When you first move in, you’ll likely need to replace the air filter. Once you find the air handling unit, take note of the size of your filter and go to the hardware store and pick up a few filters. A dirty filter has a negative impact on airflow, meaning your air handling system has to work harder to pump out lower quality air.
7. Develop a home maintenance checklist – and run through it for the first time.
One last tip – create a home maintenance checklist. This list should include regular home maintenance tasks that you’d want to do on a monthly or quarterly or annual basis. Then, make it a habit to run through the items on this list each month.
Don’t forget that I want to continue to be a resource for any of your home ownership needs, even after we have closed your loan. If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing a new home contact me, I’m here to help.
Information obtained from http://www.thesimpledollar.com/18-things-a-new-homeowner-should-do-immediately-to-save-money. This material is provided for information and educational purposes only. 068i0000001vNx2