Tag: save money

Go Green To Save Green

Go-Green-Save-Money

Aside from your mortgage, utility costs generally account for the largest portion of the monthly bills you pay thanks to your home.  However, there are several things you can do to lessen the blow a bit.  The first is to take advantage of energy-efficient light bulbs.  Yes, they cost a bit more up front, but you can save a significant amount of money over the course of a year by replacing just one incandescent bulb, so imagine how much you can save if you swap out all of your bulbs!  Additionally, if any of your faucets, pipes, or toilets are leaking, fix it and save yourself a bundle.  Often times these types of leaks are an easy fix such as swapping out a washer, replacing a flapper, or tightening a valve.  Sometimes they require more extensive work, but even then it is best to do the work, even if you have to call in a professional for help.  Changing out your shower heads for low-flow counterparts can help save water too.  Changing and/or cleaning your furnace filters will also save energy in your home.  Lastly, don’t forget to be sure all of your doors and windows are well-sealed and your home is well-insulated.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Five More Ways to Save on Air Conditioning Costs

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Yesterday, I wrote about three ways to save on air-conditioning costs this summer.  Here are five more:

1.  Watch the thermostat.  Consider turning the thermostat up a single degree.  It can make a big difference in cost!  Additionally, keep lamps and other heat-producing objects away from the thermostat.  If you have a programmable thermostat set it to up the temperature when nobody is home and lower it about an hour before you arrive home.  If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, install one!

2.  Turn it off.  Lights that is, although turning off the a/c will surely save a bundle too!  Turn off any lights that are not in use.

3.  Upgrade your bulbs.  Switch any regular incandescent bulbs out for CFL bulbs which are more efficient anyway.

4.  Add insulation.  If your home is not well insulated, insulating attics, crawlspaces, garages and any other un-airconditioned spaces can save a bundle and will continue to save you on heating costs in winter as well.

5.  Change the filter.  Maintain your system yearly at a minimum and change the filter regularly for the best efficiency.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?   Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Three Ways To Save On Air Conditioning Costs

Clip Art Illustration of a Penguin Repairing Air Conditioner

With the heat and humidity of summer fast approaching, energy costs can skyrocket with the nearly constant use of air conditioning.  Here are some simple tips to reduce your a/c costs, sometimes significantly!

1.  Reduce appliance use.  Keep the stove off and use microwaves, crockpots, toaster ovens and grills as much as possible.  Run heat-producing appliances like the dishwasher and dryer in the evening after the sun goes down, and consider hanging your clothes to dry and avoiding the dryer all together.

2.  Close it off.  Keep curtains, blinds, and shades closed during the day, or at least during the hottest parts of the day.

3.  Plan for shade.  Keep the area around your condenser unit shaded so that the system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?   Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Tips To Lower Your Cooling Costs

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the past couple of days have been H-O-T!!! With weather this hot, cooling bills can be astronomical. In fact, the EPA estimates that the average household spends over $1,000 a year on heating & cooling costs annually. In our region, heating and cooling costs are pretty much split evenly since we enjoy all four seasons and that means that the cooling costs can really add up, but if you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort, there are ways to reduce your cooling costs.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the past couple of days have been H-O-T!!!  With weather this hot, cooling bills can be astronomical.  In fact, the EPA estimates that the average household spends over $1,000 a year on heating & cooling costs annually.  In our region, heating and cooling costs are pretty much split evenly since we enjoy all four seasons and that means that the cooling costs can really add up, but if you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort, there are ways to reduce your cooling costs.  First, and most obviously, you can up the temperature you set your thermostat to by 1 or 2 degrees.  If you normally keep the temperature at 70, try it at 72.  Even if you run a fan to adjust to a warmer temperature, the savings can still equal over 10% of your heating bill.  If everyone is out of your house during the day, programming the thermostat to be even higher during the day and kick in the a/c about an hour before you come home.  If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, get one!  Older thermostats alone can cost you $150 or more in energy costs.  I just had the thermostat in my home replaced, and I can already tell you I’ve seen an increase in savings in the past month!  Cleaning you’re a/c will also save you money.  Be sure to change the filter monthly for even greater savings.  Seal any air leaks in your home to help save more – check windows, door frames, and seals around attics and crawl spaces especially.  Lastly, if you’re able to prevent your home from heating up you will need to run your a/c much less often.  Try tips like closing curtains during the day and avoid using hot appliances such as ovens and dryers as much as possible.  When you do need to use them, try to use them during the early morning or evening when it isn’t as hot.  Replacing an old a/c unit with a new energy efficient model can add up to significant savings too, but with the cost of a new system it could take a season or two for the savings to kick-in.  Still, it might be something you want to consider.  Happy savings and good luck keeping cool in this summer weather!