Improved Energy Efficiency in the Home

Homeowners are often strapped with gas and electricity bills on top of their mortgage. In order to slash unnecessary costs and improve the burden placed on the environment, many homeowners are interested in green improvements that lower their energy and gas consumption. Energy efficient upgrades are becoming more sustainable and affordable each year.

Weatherproofing

The home can be drafty and let in a lot of unwanted air through cracks in the window frames and door frames. By adding weatherstrips and re-caulking the cracks, homeowners can improve the seals and keep out the outdoor air that is causing their HVAC to do overtime. In some cases, old windows should be upgraded with new windows for a better seal and overall design. For odd window sizes, it is important to look into custom windows Walnut Creek.

Upgrading to Smart Plugs

Most homeowners think their devices and appliances are off, when really they are causing phantom drains on the energy usage of the home. Smart plugs or relays are often used by homeowners who want to monitor their energy usage in the home. A control device sits in a central location within the home and is fed the information via WiFi, which allows the homeowner to turn off plugs and program the thermostat.

Checking the Fireplace Damper

Warm air from your home (10 to 20 percent) can be drawn into the chimney and out of the home if your fireplace damper is rusted, stuck or loose. This lost air causes the heating unit to work harder than necessary and makes bills rise in turn.

A chimney sweep can be hired to clean out the chimney for improved home safety and the service call typically includes a check of the damper and flashing as well.

Removing Phantoms

There are many devices that appear to be off or on standby, but are really phantom electronics or appliances. Homeowners can use a Kill a Watt detector to find out exactly how much power is being drawn from the device when it is “off.” If the device has a charger, an AC power adaptor, a digital clock or an indicator light, then it is pulling phantom power. Phantom power can account for 10 percent of the electricity costs in the average home. Homeowners who want to ensure their devices are not pulling power can place their phone chargers, TVs, computers and other pieces of equipment to a power strip to cut the power on command.