Energy Saving Tips for New Yorkers

By Cristina Callegari Kanellopoulos, REALTOR

It seems New York now has two seasons instead of four. This year we went straight from winter, right into summer! As a result, none of us were able to enjoy the lovely mild weather spring offers, and the money savings of not needing to run heat or air conditioning!

Many first-time home buyers ask, "How much does it cost to heat a home? What are typical electric bills for a home this size? What is cheaper, oil or gas?" Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to accurately answer this question, as the answer will largely depend on the USER, and how diligent they are about conserving energy, as well as the size of the home, and systems being used, just to name a few.

On the bright side, there are many things that a homeowner CAN do to lower their energy consumption, save money, and go Green in the process. Below, find some simple, easy to implement, and inexpensive tips that could wind up saving you money this year:

1. Unplug appliances that are not in use. Did you know that even if you are not using your toaster, or coffee maker, the simple fact that it is plugged into the outlet means that it is using electricity? The truth is appliances in stand-by mode are using almost as much energy as they do when in use. So unplug those cell phone chargers, lamps, hair dryers, etc. and SAVE!
2. Clean or Replace your AC filters. At the beginning of the summer season check all the AC filters in your house. Did you know that it will take longer to cool a room if the AC has a dirty, clogged filter? A clean filter will allow your air conditioner to work more efficiently. If you have Central Air get your ducts cleaned yearly. Not only will this save you money on electricity, but it is healthier for you to have clean air pumping through your home!
3. Check your windows. Buy window caulk at your local hardware store and seal your windows. This will prevent hot air from escaping during the winter, and cool air from escaping during the summer.
4. Buy Energy Star Rated Appliances. If you are on the market for a new refrigerator, microwave, washer, etc. buy an appliance that has a good Energy Star Rating. It may cost a little more than an appliance that is not as well rated, however, this simple act will save you much more money than the difference in price over your years of usage.
5. Program your thermostat. So many homeowners leave their thermostats on the HOLD setting, and this is a big money and energy waster. During the winter turn the heat down at least 8 degrees when no one is at home, and down again 4 degrees while you are asleep. During the summer turn the AC up 8 degrees when you are not at home, and up again 4 degrees while you are asleep.
6. Turn the lights off. So many folks are guilty of this. We turn the lights on all over the house, and forget to turn them off when we are not in the room. And, so many folks turn lights on during the day instead of opening the curtains.
7. Insulate your attic. One of the best ways to reduce energy costs is to insulate your attic. I have been told by contractors that insulating your attic generally pays for itself within 3 years. If you plan on living in your home longer than three years this certainly makes sense.
8. Take advantage of tax credits. If you are considering home improvements for energy efficiency you should do so before the end of 2010, as you can claim a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500 for new qualified windows, doors insulation, heating and cooling systems!
9. Air-dry your clothes. It may not always be practical, or possible to air dry your clothes, however, if you air dried just one load of laundry per week you could save a bundle on electricity costs. Visit http://www.laundrylist.org/ to learn more about the air drying movement.
10. Use a fan. Using a fan can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler, and if you use a ceiling fan in tandem with an air conditioner you can cool down a room much more quickly, and once cool can turn the AC off to help maintain the temperature.

Of course, there are many other ways to reduce your energy consumption like solar panels, geo-thermal energy, etc. However, this list is meant to be simple, cheap and every-day ways you can begin to reduce your energy bills.

Happy Saving New Yorkers!