Saving energy doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars or get the newest technology to use less energy. There are several steps to reduce energy use, even on a tight budget.
Here are some low- and no-cost ways to save energy around your home.
Adjusting the thermostat is an easy way to save. On the hottest days, your cooling equipment must work much harder and use more energy to maintain the same temperature. Nudge the thermostat a few degrees closer to the outside temperature, especially on extreme weather days.
Fix any hot water leaks or dripping faucets. Those tiny drips can add up to big energy waste, not to mention water waste. If you need to hire a pro to fix it, turn the shutoff valve under the sink to stop the leak until you can get it fixed.
Wash clothes in cold water to avoid using the energy required to heat it. Washing on hot or warm settings can really add up, especially if you have a top-load or older washing machine that uses more water.
Adjusting the temperature on your water heater can save energy and money too. Depending on the water heater, this is either an easy adjustment or something a little more complicated that requires removing access panels. If you don’t know how, consult a professional.
Air sealing is a do-it-yourself, beginner-friendly project that improves comfort and reduces energy waste. For around $20 and a few hours of time, you can fill gaps, cracks, and holes to prevent air from leaking in and out of the home. From the inside of the home, seal trim on windows and exterior doors with caulk for about $4 a tube. Buy paintable caulk so you can touch it up when it dries, if needed.
A can of spray foam is about $5 and seals gaps around plumbing lines around pipes under sinks, in the crawlspace, or in the basement. Cold air can travel up through those spaces, causing drafts and wasting energy. Sealing these areas also stops insects and rodents from using these gaps to enter your home.
Spray foam is messy and nearly impossible to get off whatever it touches, so wear disposable gloves and clothes you don’t mind dirtying, and use drop cloths to protect finished floors. Be careful if you’re working with spray foam overhead. If you get it in your hair, it’s not coming out with anything less than a haircut. Move any items and clean surfaces in areas you intend to seal before cracking open a can. Put the can in a cardboard box to carry throughout the house so you don’t leave a trail of spray foam.
For $10 to $15, you can buy weather stripping to improve the seal on exterior doors. If you can see light around doors or feel a draft between the door and the door jamb when the door is closed, weather stripping will help.
Try these easy, low- and no-cost improvements to reduce energy waste and improve comfort in your home.
Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating officer at Efficiency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energy efficiency company. She has more than 20 years of experience helping people save energy at home.
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