Saving Energy During the Holidays Isn't Just About LED Christmas Trees!

Santa may be comfortable cruising the globe in a convertible sleigh, but for many, the holiday season and the cold weather bring an unwelcome guest -- the highest energy bill that many people see all year. Even if you've made a commitment to living green by keeping your thermostat turned down low, that doesn't mean you have to pull out that awful sweater your Aunt Sally made for you last year. It won't keep you any warmer just because it has a smiling reindeer face on the front of it. Thankfully, just a few adjustments to your home can "green" it up a bit, going a long way towards saving some money so you can bribe Ol' Saint Nick with a couple of extra cookies.

Hot Water Heater

Many new homes today have their hot water heaters in the unheated, and often uninsulated garage of the home. This allows the water heater's exterior surface to grow just as cold as your garage gets. That means that in order to keep your water toasty warm, the heater will have to work harder, using more electricity or gas, depending on your fuel source. To offset this loss, you have two options. The first, and better option, is to purchase and install an in-line tankless water heater. These units are small, remarkably efficient, and provide on-command hot water whenever you need it, without having to warm up sixty gallons of water after every shower.

The second option, and the least expensive of the two, is to purchase and install a water heater blanket. This is a thick pad of insulation that helps keep the water in your hot water heater at the peak temperature for longer periods of time. The savings aren't as dramatic as with a tankless water heater, but they do work.

Furnace

If you haven't changed your furnace filter recently, now's as good a time as any. Allowing air to flow more freely improves the efficiency of your furnace, letting the warm air heat your house evenly. If it's time to have an old furnace replaced, consider purchasing one that has an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficency that is greater than 90. This rating can be seen on the efficiency tag you'll receive with the heater. Note, however, that natural gas or propane furnaces must have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency score of 95 or higher to qualify for federal tax credits. These scores are more indicative of energy use than the well-known Energy Star ratings. Heating and cooling accounts for between 35% and 45% of your energy bill, so installing a highly efficient furnace is guaranteed to pay for itself within just a few years.

Sources:
Green and save: Furnace Replacement: www.greenandsave.com
Low Impact Living: The Low Down on Tankless Hot Water Heaters: www.greenbuildingelements.com