It’s inevitable that we’re all going to use more energy during the holidays with the lights and decorations, plus all the cooking and cleaning can give your water heater and electrical system a workout. But there’s no need to throw up your hands. Here are a few suggestions from the Roanoke heating experts at Southern Trust Home Services to help.
You probably have a lot of electrical devices plugged in all over your home all the time, and many of them draw power even when they’re not in use. Toasters and coffee makers are obvious, but the main culprits are all the chargers for phones, computers or cameras. If they’re not being used, unplug them.
If your major appliances are older, consider replacing them with Energy Star rated washers, dryers and dishwashers. Energy Star products will use a lot less water and electricity to operate, but you need to use them wisely. Don’t run appliances when they’re only half full. Try running your clothes dryer on the low heat setting.
Set your water heater temperature to 120°F, but not just to save money. Water that’s hotter than 130°F poses a scalding danger to infants, the elderly and the disabled. Keep heat in the tank by installing an insulation blanket around your water heater. Or call us and we’ll take care of it for you.
Did you know that Southern Trust Home Services is part of the Quality Contractor Network for the Appalachian Power eScore program? If you haven’t checked it out, the eScore program gives you the opportunity to not only save energy and money from your energy efficiency improvements, but also get a rebate check from the electric utility.
Appalachian Power will have an eScore Energy Advisor check out your duct system, electrical system, heating and cooling equipment, water heater, major appliances, and insulation among others, and make recommendations on how to make your home more energy efficient. Then call us, as part of the Quality Contractor Network, to make the improvements.
In addition to benefiting from the energy savings, Appalachian Power will give you rebates of $150 for duct sealing, up to $675 for installation of a 19-SEER mini-split ductless system, up to $400 for installation of a 17-SEER ducted or non-ducted heat pump system or with a desuperheater, and $75 for a replacement high-efficiency furnace fan motor.
If you buy and install a smart thermostat, the utility will give you $75, plus another $50 upfront and $25 per year after that if you enroll in their demand response program.
Take those steps, and you come out a winner twice! You’ve improved that value of your home, made it more comfortable and efficient, plus you get a check.
To help you save energy and money, call the Roanoke heating team at Southern Trust Home Services at (540) 343-4348.
