Home Energy Efficiency Tips!

The weather in North Alabama is about to start heating up substantially as we head into the summer months, which means now is a great time to brush up on energy efficiency tips for your home. Summer and Winter are two of the most extreme seasons when it comes to weather, so keeping your home operating at its best can help you avoid things like high energy bills and broken down AC units. Keep reading to see our top recommendations for keeping your home at its best this summer!

Find an family agreed upon temperature and stick with it:

Whether you’re new to the area, or have been here for years, it’s always good to know that following the hot summer days are usually moderately cooler evenings. What does this mean for your home? Typically we find ourselves bumping the indoor temperature down to the mid-high 60’s during the day and then moving it back up to the low 70’s at night. Although this may not seem like a huge difference in temperature, over time this can cause your AC unit to work twice as hard during the hotter months, and can easily cause problems like low freon and broken coils. In order to avoid expensive maintenance calls, we recommend finding a temperature that everyone in the household is comfortable with and keeping it within just a few degrees higher or lower than that temperature. We even go as far to recommend a friendly notice on your household’s thermostat about the temperature(s) to keep the thermostat on and also reminders about wearing warmer clothing when chilly at night and cooler clothing during the day to keep the temperature running at a consistent level!

Invest in Smart Home Devices:

One of the greatest luxuries of modern day homes is smart devices. Over the past decade, we have seen devices such as smart doorbells, thermostats, and even appliances become the industry standard. Having smart appliances can be a great asset to living an energy efficient life because they are made to be controlled whether you're home, or even on vacation. For example, your family takes off for your annual beach vacation. Upon arrival, you get a news alert that temperatures back home are supposed to reach a season high and you left the house at 62 degrees. With your phone, you can simply pull up your smart device’s app, and adjust the AC to 72-74 degrees to ensure that you don’t come home to a high electric bill. 

Another great feature on smart devices is the ability to set schedules. If you know you want your thermostat to be at 68 during the day and 70 at night, you can set a schedule on your device or through the device’s mobile app so you can stay energy efficient without having to remember!

Change your air filters regularly:

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but it is one of the most commonly looked-over energy efficient must-do’s. Over time, air filters collect the dust and debris in your household and can actually block the amount of air flow in your home. As a result, you may start to see higher electric bills and AC units that are not lasting as long as intended. If you have pets, we recommend checking these even more frequently because pet hair and dirt from outdoors can easily find their way up to your air filters. We recommend changing these out every few months, and maybe even monthly if you have household pets.

Use cold water as much as possible:

When it comes to laundry and washing dishes, it’s always best to use cold water whenever possible, especially during the warmer months. We definitely don’t recommend cold water for showers and baths, that would be unbearable! In order for warm water to circulate in your fixtures, it requires the help of your hot water heater. Hot water heaters are typically found in garages and sometimes even attic access spaces in two-story homes. Hot water heaters require a good amount of electricity to run, and the more you use them, the higher your monthly electric bill will be. The best time to use hot water for clothes and for dishes is for heavy disinfecting. You can also invest in ENERGY STAR Rated Heat Pump Water Heaters if your family uses hot water regularly!

Routinely caulk your home and replace weather stripping as needed:

Homes are one of the most heavily used assets you’ll ever own, which is why it’s always a good idea to schedule regular self-maintenance like caulking and replacing weather stripping. You want to make sure that the indoor air stays in and the outdoor air stays out. Windows and doors are two most common places that you’ll see air escape from your home. We recommend once per year re-caulking your windows, cracks, and openings, and continuously keeping an eye on weather stripping. The great news is that this maintenance tip is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your home as energy efficient as possible! Caulk and weather stripping can both be found at your local home care stores at a low price, and with the help of YouTube, you are sure to become a pro!

At CMG, one of our core values is Education. We believe in not only educating during the home buying and selling process, but also during the homeownership stages. If you are interested in learning more tips like these about keeping your home energy efficient, we encourage you to reach out to one of our knowledgeable team members! We want to be there every step of the way, because at CMG, you are always more than just a transaction, you’re our family!