Energy savings on the cheap
You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars or get the newest technology to use less energy. Here are some quick fixes to lower energy use, even on a tight budget:
Nudge the thermostat a few degrees closer to the outside temperature, especially on extreme weather days. On the hottest and coldest days, your heating and cooling equipment must work much harder, and use more energy, to maintain the same temperature.
Fix any hot water leaks or dripping faucets. Those tiny drips can add up to big energy waste, not to mention water waste.
Wash clothes in cold water to avoid using the energy required to heat it, especially if you have a top-load or older washing machine that uses more water.
Adjust the temperature on your water heater. Depending on the water heater, this is either an easy adjustment or something a little more complicated that requires removing access panels.
Be a sealing fan
Air sealing is a do-it-yourself, beginner-friendly project. For around $20 and a couple hours of time, you can fill gaps, cracks and holes to prevent air from leaking in and out of the home. From the inside, seal trim on windows and exterior doors with caulk for about $4 a tube. For $10 to $15, you can buy weather stripping to improve the seal on exterior doors.
A can of spray foam is about $5 and seals gaps around plumbing lines, like those pipes under your sinks or in the crawlspace or basement. Air sealing these areas gets bonus points for stopping insects and rodents from using these gaps to enter your home.
