This holiday season, saving energy at home in Westchester can save you a lot of money and help the planet.
According to experts at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit advocacy group, one thing you can do to reduce the impacts of climate change is to stop overheating your home. “Reducing your heating energy use is the single most effective way to save money and reduce your home’s contribution to global environmental problems.”
Changing the temperature settings on your thermostat will definitely save a lot of energy, and still keep you warm enough. The recommended settings are: 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) during the day if you are home, and 63-65 degrees (about 17 C ) overnight.
According to ACEEE, most homeowners can save about 2% of your heating bill for each degree that you lower the thermostat for a significant part of the day and night. “Turning down the thermostat from 70°F to 65°F, for example, saves about 10% ($100 saved per $1,000 of heating cost).”
Check out the Smarter House website created by ACEEE. It provides a home energy breakdown for each of your appliances and their performance. Tips for saving even more money include: running your washer and dryer at night; using the cold water settings; and making sure your heating systems are tuned up and cleaned regularly.
