Would you like to pocket an additional $1,000 every year? Make your home “smarter” by installing devices that reduce energy usage. Some of these six simple improvements may be done without even hiring an electrician, and all will save you money, make your home more comfortable and help the environment. Total energy savings may vary based on the size of your home. An upfront investment is necessary.
Some changes cost as few as $4 each, while other upgrades will run up to $300 apiece, plus labor costs from an electrician. However the savings in the first year and half will more than likely net back your investment. Everything from then on is savings.
Energy-efficient home improvements could save $1,000
A low-investment, high-return upgrade is simply replacing all your old incandescent light bulbs with LED ones. Seven in 10 U.S. households do not have any LEDs, as outlined by a 2015 survey from the Energy Information Administration.
LEDs use 75 to 80 percent less energy than regular bulbs, and swapping out five bulbs could help you save about $35 annually, says Tim Palange, operations manager for Mr. Electric, a Neighborly company in North Carolina. The average house has 30 to 60 light bulbs. These bulbs also have longer lifespans, which is convenient since you aren’t required to change out as often those “out-of-the-way bulbs like outside flood lights or high hats in cathedral ceilings,” he said.
There’s no need to worry anymore about aesthetics, either. “LEDs have come a long way from inception,” Palange says. “They’re now dimmable, and you don’t look like you’re in an office with fluorescent lights.”
Savings potential: $210-$420 annually
Heat and cool better
A great way to save money on your heating and cooling bills can be to install smart thermostats, for example the Nest. These thermostats heat and cool your home more efficiently and can be controlled remotely, a great feature for vacation homes. Each one can help to save close to $200 annually, which can be big savings for large homes with multiple thermostats.
Savings potential: $200-$800 annually
Replace your light switches
You can get more from your light switch than simply one that dims. Think about a Wi-Fi-enabled switch that enables you to turn the lights on and off remotely through an app on your cellphone. This can be convenient if you want lights on at night when you get home or you want people to think you’re home when you’re on vacation.
Each smart light switch can help to save $20 to $25 each year, Palange says, and most homeowners use at least two: one for outside lights in the front and one for outside lights in the back.
Savings potential: $40-$50 annually
Get plugged in
Most appliances, electronics and other equipment that are plugged in draw energy even if not in use or if they are fully charged. This idle-energy usage results in about 1,300 kilowatt-hours per year, according to a 2015 study by the National Resources Defense Council.
“Think about how often do you leave your cellphone plugged in all night long?” Palange says. Smart outlets helps to reduce that waste, by allowing a plugged-in device to use electricity only when it needs it.
Savings potential: $165-$440 annually
Use smart fans
Installing Wi-Fi-enabled ceiling fans can cut your heating and cooling costs. These fans connect to smart thermostats and automatically adjust their speed and direction depending on the ambient temperature of the room. The ceiling fan moves the air around in the room, that could be cheaper than depending on the central heating or cooling system to do it, Palange says.
Savings potential: $140-$250 annually depending on the size of your home.
Mind your water
An average electric water heater will heat the water in your home regardless if no one is there. If you install an occupancy sensor to your electric water heater, it’s not going to heat the water unless it knows someone is in the house.
“It’s similar to what hotel rooms use,” says Palange. “It can save anywhere from 30 to 50 percent off hot water costs.”
Savings potential: $200-300 each year for a family of four.
Have a questions or concern? Nick, Cindy & Nicholas Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group are here to assist you with all your Real Estate Needs. We are always available at 813-300-7116 to answer your questions or you can simply click here and we will be in touch with you shortly.
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