A lot of people think about wind or solar-paneled homes when they think about a green Louisville home. While there are certain houses like this available, they are not the norm – yet.
There is still a long way to go before houses are running on wind and solar power exclusively. In the meantime, there are some simple things you can do to green up your home.
1. Control the temperature
Did you know that about half of the energy consumption that you use in your home is for cooling and heating it? An easy-to-use programmable thermostat can help you control your heating and/or cooling costs throughout the year.
You can save between 3% and 5% of the energy used for heating your house for every degree that you lower it below 68°F or 20°C. A lot of people choose to lower the thermostat at night and use extra blankets.
2. Take a look at your furnace
If your furnace is old and dates back to the 1980s you should look at your savings costs versus the money you would have to pay for a new furnace. The furnaces made today are approximately 25% more efficient.
You can ask a heating specialist and he will let you know how much you can potentially save every year by investing in a new furnace. This is one of the most important steps you can take to cut your energy costs and make your house a green Louisville home.
If you have a newer furnace model you should be changing the filter in it every month, especially when it is running a lot. The less work your furnace needs to do at start-up, the less energy it needs to run.
3. Air conditioning alternatives
Limit the use of your air conditioner by installing more ceiling fans. The moving air will naturally keep your home cooler.
If you have to resort to your air conditioner during severe heat, turn it on and then turn it off when the cooling is sufficient. Then, use your ceiling fans to prolong the life of the cool air produced by the air conditioner.
You’ll see extensive savings on your next energy bill and will be helping the environment at the same time.
If the Louisville house you are looking at has an old furnace, this may be used as part of the negotiations if an offer is likely to be presented.
