The clock strikes midnight and the ball drops. A good thing, right? Absolutely. But there is no reason to drop the ball when it comes to Energy savings. Afterall, part of going tiny means less overhead and less waste, right? So why miss an opportunity to save money and save energy? Perhaps some of these month-by-month tips will help you pick the ball back up.
SCHEDULE A HOME ENERGY AUDIT
Look for a highly rated energy Audit or assessment company on a site like Angie’s List. You may also speak to your utility or energy provider about a list of approved audit providers that can provide an audit for free or at a substantial discount. Whatever course you take, an audit can help you determine where you are losing money with your current energy system and how you can make subtle improvements that may pay big dividends.
TUNE-UP YOUR AC SYSTEM
This should take place sometime in March in preparation for the changing seasons. Whether you have a window unit AC or a mini-split, have a certified HVAC contractor come out to tune the unit up and make sure it is functioning as well as it could.
CHECK THE AIRFLOW
Use the spring season to make sure your outdoor unit (especially on a mini-split) is free from shrubbery or other obstacles. The outdoor unit houses the compressor and the condenser so you want to make sure it has at least two feet of clearance on all side for proper airflow.
STOCK UP ON AIR FILTERS
Filters should be changed every 1 to 3 months so your HVAC system performs properly.
PLUG INTO A POWER STRIP
Even after you’ve turned off your AC unit or your fans, plugged-in appliances and electronics use a small amount of power known as “phantom power”. You can solve this problem and save quite a bit of money by plugging into a power strip and switching it off when not in use.
SWITCH TO LED BULBS
If your tiny house isn’t already taking advantage of LED Bulbs now is the time. These bulbs are far more energy efficient than conventional bulbs, and they don’t emit heat. Great for the summertime! It is a little-known fact that LEDs use 75% less energy but last 25% longer than incandescent bulbs.
TUNE-UP YOUR HEATING SYSTEM
Just before fall arrives have a certified HVAC engineer come out and service your heating system. Make sure it is running at peak performance levels.
WEATHERSTRIP AND CAULK
As fall makes its way in, be sure your tiny house is properly sealed. Add weather stripping and caulk around doors and windows. Seal up any cracks and gaps around the windows and doors to keep the chilly air out and the warm air in.
By following these guidelines and making a calendar based maintenance plan, you can achieve a top performance and a money-saving year from your heating and cooling systems. Find out more tips by visiting our site regularly or signing up for our newsletter a the bottom of our homepage. You can also join us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
