September 28, 2021

Your Plumbing and Electrical Can Help You Achieve “Green”

Save energy, save money, save the environment

You may not think that plumbing or electrical systems can be part of “going green.” But, in fact, these two areas can have lasting green effects in your home, in your pocket and in the environment.

When you cut energy costs, you’re saving money as well as natural resources. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that energy use in American homes has declined. As our population grows hopefully homeowners will continue to take steps to minimize your footprint and preserve our resources.

Environmentally Friendly Home Energy Tips

You might be surprised at how many ways you can cut costs and energy consumption around your home. Here’s a list of effective measures to make a greener environment and make your wallet a little greener as well.

Ways to reduce home heating and cooling costs:

1. Draw the shades: Keep the shades open on the sunny side of the house to help heat it in winter. Shut the shades to help cool it in summer.
2. Plant: Landscape so that in the summer, trees, vines and shrubs shade driveway pavement, courtyards, large windows, etc.
3. Cross-ventilate: Opening windows on just one side of the house isn’t effective – the air has no path to flow through. Open windows on opposite sides to create a breeze.
4. Use a reversible ceiling fan: It’s effective both in winter and summer, generating a direct breeze in the summer and redistributing rising hot air in the winter.

Ways to reduce home electricity costs:

1. Clean or paint walls: Dingy walls don’t reflect light well and give the room a “dark” feeling.
2. Use CFL & LED lights: Replace your standard incandescent bulbs with long-life, efficient LED lights or CFL lights. Energy saving light bulbs come in all shapes and applications.
3. Use dimmers and mood lighting: If you’ve got dimmers, use them! If not, have them installed. They create comfortable lighting and save energy.
4. Use task and tract lighting: It’s more efficient and reduces the glare of an overly lit room.
5. Clean or paint walls: Dingy walls don’t reflect light well and give the room a “dark” feeling.
6. Use outdoor sensor lights: Instead of leaving porch and yard lights on all night. They provide even more security, reacting to motion.

Ways to reduce home water costs:

1. Install aerators: They’re easy to put on kitchen and bathroom faucets, reduce water consumption and still provide a refreshing flow.
2. Wash full Loads: Don’t use the dishwasher or washing machine until they’re full.
3. Fix leaks: One simple leak can waste 20 gallons a day. Rid yourself of that annoying drippy faucet and pocket the savings.
4. Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator: Instead of running the tap water until it’s cold.
5. Don’t sprinkle, irrigate: An irrigation hose uses less water and makes it easier for your lawn to “swallow.” If the grass springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn’t need water. Also, watering in the morning instead of dusk helps prevent fungus growth.
6. Use mulch: A layer around trees and plants slows down evaporation, reducing water needs.
7. Use a broom, not a hose: And get a little exercise sweeping the driveway and sidewalks.
8. Capture tap water: While waiting for the water to heat up, capture the cool water and use it on your plants.
9. Let it Mellow: Don’t flush until you need to. Toilets account for 24% of home water use.

Energy Saving Appliances:

Save energy with efficient appliances that make your home greener. Investing in higher quality units will pay off over time in your utility bills. They also add to your home’s value.

• Energy Star ratings and recommendations. Energy star is a government run resource that gives you two costs: the price of your appliance and the cost of running it. You can compare models and determine your long-term expense.
• Low flush toilets. A toilet that uses less water will pay off big in your monthly and annual water utility bills.
• Programmable thermostats. Thermostats that regulate your home’s temperature and use less energy when you aren’t home or don’t need it offer a significant savings.
• Heat pumps. They don’t generate heat, but they distribute it more efficiently throughout your home to ensure that valuable heat isn’t being lost during cold Colorado winters.
• Evaporative coolers. An efficient way to provide a steady stream of fresh cooler air into your home during hot summer days.
• Circulating hot water pumps. Great for larger homes where faucets are far apart. Spare yourself running and wasting water while you wait for the tap to get warm.

Energy Saving Tips from Your Boulder and Denver Home Experts

Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric can provide you with a “green” audit and show you how to save energy at home. We recommend you annually check plumbing and electrical for efficiency to ensure you’re maximizing resources and saving money. Schedule today to have a technician evaluate your home.