Winter Energy Tips for Your Arizona Home
Even though Arizona has fantastically mild winters residents in Arizona can get their homes ready for the winter and saving energy and lowering their utility bills as well as other areas of the country. Sure, they may not get those harsh cold, snowy months but heaters are still used and energy can be saved in many areas.
Arizona's utility companies will do an audit at your homes checking everything to show you what you can do to help lower your utility bills by hundreds of dollars a year. Call your utility company and arrange for your audit. You may benefit by switching to "time of use" type utility usage. Basically, by using your higher energy appliances at the lower peak usage times you save on your bill as well as help cut down on energy use.
Be sure your insulation is at least R-30 to keep heat from escaping during the winter months. This will also assist in the summer months from letting the heat get into your house. Keep your filters changed on a regular basis to also decrease the use of your heat pumps. Don't forget to turn your thermostat down to a temperature that is still comfortable for you but as low as you and your family can handle. A digital thermometer also helps cut down on utilities so that it can be programmed to automatically change the temperature rather than the constant turning up and down. Programmable thermostats are not expensive but can make a big difference.
Check your duct work, be sure they are sealed correctly - it is unbelievable how much leakage you have in these areas even up to 30%. That's a lot of energy you can save.
Other areas that you can look into are your appliances. How old are they? Is it time to replace the older models with newer lower energy appliances? When replacing your appliances be sure and look for the Energy Star appliances that are made to use less energy. You can use colder water on more of your wash cycles so your water heater is being used less and lower the temperature on your water heater especially if you currently don't run out of hot water. This is an indication that you could probably lower the level a bit. Clean your lint screen after every load of clothes. Using your dishwasher in the night when you are sleeping and using the low or no heat cycles will also help.
A few little things that can be done are for you to remember to unplug televisions or VCR's that are not used frequently, they are still using energy when they are turned off. Close your drapes or other window treatments to keep the cold from entering into your home.
If you own a pool, now is the time to reduce how much the pool pump comes on. In the cooler months and when the pool is not in use the amount of time your pump is used is far less. Check with a pool supply company if you don't know how many hours to set your pump to run. They are great with assisting you with the chemicals as well as little questions like this
Lowering your bills and saving energy does not have to be hard on you and your family, every little bit helps. Even in Arizona's mild winter months!
For you next Arizona property, look at Chandler homes for sale with pools [http://www.azhomesinchandler.com/28538-Chandler-AZ-PrivatePool-RESCity.aspx]. For a low maintenance home, try Val Vista Lakes condos [http://www.valvistalakesingilbert.com/28802-Gilbert-Val-Vista-Lakes-AZ-Condo-RESCmty.aspx].
Arizona's utility companies will do an audit at your homes checking everything to show you what you can do to help lower your utility bills by hundreds of dollars a year. Call your utility company and arrange for your audit. You may benefit by switching to "time of use" type utility usage. Basically, by using your higher energy appliances at the lower peak usage times you save on your bill as well as help cut down on energy use.
Be sure your insulation is at least R-30 to keep heat from escaping during the winter months. This will also assist in the summer months from letting the heat get into your house. Keep your filters changed on a regular basis to also decrease the use of your heat pumps. Don't forget to turn your thermostat down to a temperature that is still comfortable for you but as low as you and your family can handle. A digital thermometer also helps cut down on utilities so that it can be programmed to automatically change the temperature rather than the constant turning up and down. Programmable thermostats are not expensive but can make a big difference.
Check your duct work, be sure they are sealed correctly - it is unbelievable how much leakage you have in these areas even up to 30%. That's a lot of energy you can save.
Other areas that you can look into are your appliances. How old are they? Is it time to replace the older models with newer lower energy appliances? When replacing your appliances be sure and look for the Energy Star appliances that are made to use less energy. You can use colder water on more of your wash cycles so your water heater is being used less and lower the temperature on your water heater especially if you currently don't run out of hot water. This is an indication that you could probably lower the level a bit. Clean your lint screen after every load of clothes. Using your dishwasher in the night when you are sleeping and using the low or no heat cycles will also help.
A few little things that can be done are for you to remember to unplug televisions or VCR's that are not used frequently, they are still using energy when they are turned off. Close your drapes or other window treatments to keep the cold from entering into your home.
If you own a pool, now is the time to reduce how much the pool pump comes on. In the cooler months and when the pool is not in use the amount of time your pump is used is far less. Check with a pool supply company if you don't know how many hours to set your pump to run. They are great with assisting you with the chemicals as well as little questions like this
Lowering your bills and saving energy does not have to be hard on you and your family, every little bit helps. Even in Arizona's mild winter months!
For you next Arizona property, look at Chandler homes for sale with pools [http://www.azhomesinchandler.com/28538-Chandler-AZ-PrivatePool-RESCity.aspx]. For a low maintenance home, try Val Vista Lakes condos [http://www.valvistalakesingilbert.com/28802-Gilbert-Val-Vista-Lakes-AZ-Condo-RESCmty.aspx].
