A typical U.S. family spends more than $1,600 a year on home utility bills. However, World Energy Solutions, a publicly traded energy services company based in St. Petersburg, Fla., says that making a few simple changes around the house can save money and make heating and cooling systems more efficient.
World Energy Solutions (symbol: WEGY) helps businesses save money on utilities and maintenance costs by evaluating their buildings and equipment. This also makes the equipment last longer.
"Many of the ways we help our business customers save energy can also be used at home," says Benjamin Croxton, the CEO of World Energy Solutions. "There are many common-sense, low-cost, or even free ways to reduce the amount of energy your home uses. There are also many new technologies that can be used to improve the energy-using parts of your home."
Here are some things that homeowners can do to make their homes more energy efficient, as suggested by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy:
- In the fall and spring, have your heating and cooling systems checked. Sealing your ducts can also make your furnace or central air conditioner run better and use less energy.
- Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs, which use three-quarters as much electricity. Any 60-watt to 100-watt bulbs that are used for several hours a day should be replaced first.
- Set your refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and clothes dryer to save energy.
- Check your heating and cooling systems to see if you need to replace them or make changes to them so they use less energy and give you the same or better comfort.
- Turn your water heater's temperature down to the warm setting.
- Clean or change the filters in your furnace, air conditioner, and heat pump.
George Walker, an air-conditioning expert with World Energy Solutions, says, "If your home's central air-conditioning system is more than 10 years old, a new state-of-the-art system can save you 30 percent or more on your cooling costs."
