Savings BIG $ $ $
Great News:every homeowner can easily reduce energy costs 50% with no changes in lifestyle.
I actually stopped moaning for a few minutes about my increases in electricity costs and did something to reduce my electric usage. This turned out a worthwhile plan for sure.
"Do one easy home project at a time."
1. FACT: Home electricity services is 40% of total national usage. Small business is another large 40%. This billion dollar cost for energy can be easily reduced 50% one home and one small business at a time.
Here is my $1200 cost savings plan.
Reduce the average 9% lighting cost to 3% by changing to quality soft white Compact Fluorescent Bulbs that last up to 10 years. (Our cost of CPL bulbs was $55, and this project reduces our electric bills $164 a year.) We also became more careful shutting lights off as we left a room.
- Install power surge protector strips on the Dish cable system, TVs, Computer power input, and we turn these OFF at the strip when not in use. We unplug the coffee maker and microwave when not in use. (Strips cost was $36. This reduces our electric bills $84 every year.)
First step in saving 9% on heating and cooling costs simply replace a manual thermostat with a programmable thermostat, and follow the enclosed directions. (Cost was $33 at Ace Hardware and this reduces our electric bills $174 a year.)
Second step to save another 20% on heating and cooling costs is installing a simple water mister device which lightly sprays the outdoor air conditioning condenser coil in the summer only when the machine is on. ( Cost is $103 and this reduces electric bills $243 a year.)
- Save 6% by putting a Thermal Blanket on the water heater tank. (Cost is $20-$25 and this reduces our electric bills $55 a year.)
Save 9% by installing 4 ceiling fans in the family living areas. Circulate air on slow or medium speed in the summer, and reverse fans direction on slow in the heating season (Cost is $159 and this reduces our electric bills $174 a year.)
- Save 8% in the summer: Put in a thermostat controlled roof exhaust attic fan. It took that 130-140 degree 6 months summer heat under the roof down to 90 degrees. Also, I caulked 17 windows and 4 doors frames outside. (Cost is $87 and reduces our electric bills $143 every year.)
- Other useful actions:
- Note, a laptop computer uses 80% less power than a desktop PC and this saves $54 a year.
- Clean your Air Conditioning filters inside the home once a month, and this saves up to $100/year on energy bills.
- Cook mostly outside in the spring, summer, and fall on the grille or in a solar oven. This saves us $144.
- When you buy or replace home appliances, shop for more energy efficient models that are always on sale. This can save us a 11% in electricity costs.
Get a 12% decrease in energy hot water cost every year by building and installing a simple home passive solar roof hot water heater. It will act as a super 170 degree Solar water-heater and it is sun powered. (The cost of materials bought locally is
about $189. It's easy and you can get my plans and list of locally bought materials.
Get This: 30% of my costs was a Federal tax credit.
Now we have over 50% lower energy use in our home and lower electric bills every month!
What I plan to take the energy bills another 28% lower for next year!
Normally, a typical cooling/heating system operating cost is at least 40% of home energy use. Let's reduce that all the way down to 12%. I have the simple plans. This is fun stuff and satisfying too!
Contact me: 305-831-5334 on anything including prices and where to get materials and supplies at discount. Bob Jordan www.retirewellearly@gmail.com
Links:
Dollars rebates and tax deductions incentives: www.desireusa.org
To view a new elegant design Spanish Solar home built new and Green at a 30% cost savings per square foot go to: www. greenhealthyhome.net