About home energy use
$4 a day. That’s the average amount Chattanooga area families pay for electricity to keep our houses warm + our TVs on (a.k.a. less than the cost of a latte). The Department of Energy estimates this cost could be reduced by up to 25% by making one’s home more energy efficient. Um, I’d be cool with saving money each month. 💰
WalletHub recently ranked the most energy efficient states, and Tennessee came in 45 out of 48 (with Hawaii + Alaska excluded) – so there’s definitely room for improvement.
You may be wondering, “What’s using the most energy in my home?” Here’s a breakdown of average home energy usage from the U.S. Energy Information Administration:
- 51%: Heat + air conditioning
- 27%: Water heaters, lighting + refrigeration
- 21%: Devices like televisions, kitchen appliances + consumer electronics
Luckily, there are several ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency – but it can be complicated if you’re not an expert. To help you out, EPB offers free eScore evaluations in which an energy expert will come to your house, do a room-by-room examination, and review past utility bills to help determine your energy efficiency – free of charge. They’ll also outline suggested improvements – a.k.a. give you some #protips for getting more value for your energy use.
Tips and tricks
Heating + cooling
- Check your air filters each month + change as needed. Dirty filters can waste energy, damage equipment + reduce efficiency.
- Make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture or drapes.
- Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows.
- During warmer months, set your thermostat to no lower than 75º when home and 80º when gone for several hours.
- Open drapes/blinds to allow the sun to warm your house in cooler months, and close drapes/blinds to keep your house cooler in warmer months.
- Close all windows, doors + chimney dampers when using air conditioning.
Keeping energy in
- Install insulation in your attic, including the access door.
- Caulk to seal cracks/crevices around doors + window frames.
- Seal + replace leaky HVAC ductwork (could reduce energy waste by 20% or more).
Water heaters
- Lower the thermostat to 120º, which should provide plenty of hot water without wasting energy.
- Wrap tank with proper insulation to keep heat in.
- Consider replacing water heaters that are 7+ years old, as newer models are more energy efficient.
- Take more showers than baths, and keep them short.
- During warmer months, turn off your water heater when going out of town.
See more tips here from the energy experts at EPB, and schedule your free eScore evaluation here. Ⓟ
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