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Home Maintenance

Energy Efficiency

How can I increase the energy efficiency of my home without spending a fortune?

Making your home more comfortable and efficient doesn't have to take a great deal of time and money. For a good start toward saving on your home heating, cooling, and other energy bills, here are five easy steps you can take:

1. Thermostat

Keep your thermostat set around 78 degrees in the summer, 68 degrees in the winter. By avoiding constant adjustments you can stabilize your energy bills.

SAVINGS: You'll stay comfortable year round, and your heating/cooling bills won't make you uncomfortable either.

2. Faucets

Dripping bathroom faucets and leaky showerheads are obvious waste culprits. Fortunately, they're easy to fix with a do-it-yourself book. Toilet tank water-savers can mean significant dollar savings, too.

SAVINGS: An average family can save about 20,000 gallons of fresh water a year with a few easy bathroom fix-ups.

3. Lighting

Compact fluorescent lighting costs more than you're used to paying for the standard incandescent bulbs, but fluorescents last more than 10 times longer (over five years in many cases) and use just a quarter of the electricity.

SAVINGS: Over its lifetime each compact fluorescent bulb will save you $40 to $60 on your electric bill.

4. Energy Leaks

Fireplaces can be a big energy leak. Check dampers and screens to make sure warm air isn't escaping when the fireplace isn't in use. Consider installing an energy-saving firebox to help circulate heat. If the fireplace is just for decoration, cover the chimney.

SAVINGS: An energy-efficient fireplace can be an economical and cozy source of supplemental heat.

5. Appliances

Help your home systems and appliances do their jobs by keeping filters clean and operating parts oiled. Clean air conditioning filters and wall units each year. Change furnace filters frequently, and keep your furnace motor oiled. A professional inspection once a year will keep things running smoothly.

SAVINGS: Doing the little things adds up to lower electric bills and fewer appliance replacement costs.

3MAINTENANCE TIP

Have your water heater checked and serviced regularly - neglect can lead to flooding and problems with other appliances.

What's one sure way to keep my home energy bills under control?

Insulating your home is one of your best protections against high heating and cooling bills. It's also the best way to keep your home comfortable in every season.

Start with any unfinished attics and crawl spaces — that's where you'll notice savings of heat and money. Then consider adding insulation to the ceilings and walls between your living space and an unheated basement or garage.

Finally, don't forget that windows and doors can be some of your home's biggest energy wasters. Check weather-stripping, replace broken parts, and use storm windows and doors to stay draft-free.

What kind of insulation do I need?

The main considerations when selecting insulation for your home are ease of installation; cost; and durability. Because there are several different materials and forms to choose from (blanket, board, loose, etc.), it's best to talk with a building professional or salesperson to determine your particular needs.

HOW TO MEASURE INSULATION FOR YOUR HOME.

How much insulating material you need to protect your home depends on the material's "R-value." That's the rating of how well the material can block the flow of heat.

The higher a material's R-value, the better it is as an insulator. For example, fiberglass has an R-value of 3.1, while urethane board has an R-value of 5.9. Therefore, 12 inches of fiberglass and six inches of urethane would give you roughly the same amount of insulation.

Is it worth the money to call a professional just to handle maintenance?

When everything in your home seems to be running fine, it's very tempting just to let maintenance go until next year. Do your best to overcome that temptation.

Get into the habit of sticking to a regular schedule of maintenance for the systems and equipment in your home. You'll catch most little problems before they get big, and that can add up to enormous equipment and energy savings. Of course, the added benefit is the peace of mind that comes with being sure that everything in your home is running the way it was meant to.

If your home is covered by an ERA® Home Protection Plan® and you need assistance, simply follow service instructions included in your warranty contract. If you have any questions, or need professional repair service, help is available to you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What maintenance records do I need to keep?

For easy reference in case of a repair or maintenance question, it's a good idea to keep a record of the brand, model number, and serial number of your major appliances and systems. Your records should also show the equipment installation dates (when known), as well as performance checks and service calls. Keeping these records can help you keep your home running smoothly the way checking your odometer can help you keep your car in top shape. Having such a handy reference source (see the "Keep your home in good working order and watch its value grow" worksheet) can help protect your investment for as long as you own your home, and it's impressive proof of consistent maintenance to prospective buyers.