This Wednesday is Earth Day, which celebrates its 50th year in 2020, and that has many thinking about being more earth conscious. One way to do that is make your home more energy efficient, which also has the benefit of saving you money.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t note that a great way to have a more energy efficient home is to buy new. New homes are built with the newest appliances, windows, and more, making them more energy efficient. At Liberty Homes, we are proud to offer many energy smart features, including framed and insulated basement perimeter walls; 95 percent efficiency-class furnaces; high-efficiency, quick recovery water heaters; low-e, double-paned, windows; R-38 attic insulation and R-19 exterior wall insulation; and energy-saving poly sealant around all windows and exterior doors.
Whether you want to improve efficiency by buying a new home or just in your current residence, Rocky Mountain Power has several tips to contribute to a healthier environment and save some money. You can see all their tips here, but here are a few of their key suggestions:
Watch Your Thermostat
One of the highest sources of energy use is your heating and air conditioning unit, so regulating its usage can help lower your bill and contribute to reducing overall worldwide usage. In the winter, Rocky Mountain Power suggests setting thermostats at 68 degrees while home and lowering it at night or when you are out. In the summer, Rocky Mountain Power suggests an at-home temp of 78 degrees. Programmable or smart thermostats, like this one used in our model homes, can help easily regulate temperatures and help save energy and money. You may also be able to get rebates or discounts from the power company to help offset the cost of buying a smart thermostat.
In the summer, Rocky Mountain Power also recommends using portable and ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner to save energy.
Replace Filters Regularly
Clean filters in your HVAC unit not only help prolong the life of the unit by not overworking it, but they make it more efficient (for the same reasons). While most manufacturers recommend changing them every three months, Rocky Mountain Power says you may want to replace them more frequently during heavy usage in the winter months.
Check Home for Air Leaks
Sealing your home will help improve efficiency, so it’s a good idea to periodically check for and repair air leaks. Common areas Rocky Mountain Power suggests checking are:
- Around doors and windows.
- Along sill plates and band joists at the tops of foundation walls.
- Behind electric outlets and switches – especially on exterior walls.
- Around plumbing pipes located in floors and ceilings.
- Around recessed lighting and ceiling fans.
- Along attic access hatches.
- Along chimney penetrations through insulated ceilings and exterior walls.
Reduce Hot Water Usage
Save water and energy by reducing the amount of hot water you are using by turning down the temperature on your water heater, taking baths instead of showers, and installing energy-efficient showerheads and faucet aerators.
Another option is the U by Moen shower system, which you can check out in our model home. The system allows you to set the perfect temperature for you and get alerts when the shower is ready for you, rather than running it for an extended period of time and wasting water. You can also start and stop the shower from the Moen app and time your shower out to further prevent water waste.
More Efficient Lighting
There are several ways to be more efficient in your lighting. First, switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs if you have not already done so. Other tips include turning off lights when you leave a room, use task lighting, use timers, and use motion sensors.
Reduce Electronics Usage
Did you know that even if they are turned off, electronic devices still use power. According to some experts, a TV that is plugged in but never turned on would still consume over 200 kilowatt-hours annually. Laptop computers use similar amounts of power when left plugged in always. This “vampire” usage can add up over time, both financially and in impact on the environment. For that reason, Rocky Mountain Power suggests plugging electronics into surge protectors/power strips and turn the power strip off when not in use. There are even some advanced power strips that are able to automatically detect when an electronic device is not in use and cuts the flow of power to it.
Looking for your dream home? Liberty Homes has been building new homes in Utah for more than 25 years. We take pride in our trade, crafting each home as if it were our own. Our quality, affordable homes are energy smart and thoughtfully personalized for your active Utah lifestyle. We currently have new single-family homes available in Bluffdale and West Valley. Contact us today to get started building your new home.
