orly
chen provides a real estate experience with a personal touch
201.803.9611
“homeowners
should begin by determining what is their energy “footprint,”
or impact”
Energy
Saving is Easy for Bergen County Homeowners
As hot summer months approach,
every New Jersey homeowner and family wants to learn new and
better ways to save energy. In addition to conserving money,
the smartest energy saving methods can help improve the environment
by reducing pollution and lessening contributions to global
warming. These days, going green is not just for environmentalists,
but an easy way to feel positive about your all-around impact
on the world. If you want to save your pocketbook and the planet,
try energy-saving tips based on careful planning, new products
and basic techniques, no matter the season.
To start saving energy, homeowners should begin by determining
what is their energy “footprint,” or impact. Easy
to use tools available from your energy provider can help you
answer this important question. For example, your energy provider
may allow you to calculate your carbon emissions by using your
electric bill. Or, some web sites offer tools that help you
calculate your total greenhouse gas emissions. For a complete
perspective, sign up for an energy audit linked to your bill
and see exactly how your home’s energy is spent, how much
it costs, and what impact that makes on the environment.
Once the overall energy impact is known, families can make a
decision about how they want to use the information to practice
energy efficiency. In one easy way, by now, almost every homeowner
has heard of compact fluorescent light bulbs. These newcomers
on the lighting scene have proven so popular because of the
great energy savings they bring at relatively low cost. Even
better are LED lights which save even more energy and lower
your electricity bills. Other people opt to practice energy
efficiency all around the home with energy-efficient appliances
such as those that meet Energy Star guidelines. More than 40,000
Energy Star products are available in a range of common items
including major appliances like air conditioners, office equipment,
lighting, home electronics, and computers.
If you cannot afford or do not want to purchase entirely new
appliances, practice ways to use existing appliances more efficiently.
Maximize energy by running the dishwasher only when it is completely
full, and wash clothes only when the laundry load is full. Washing
the clothes in cold water saves energy compared to hot water
washes. Also, clean the dryer’s lint filter before each
load to lessen the energy strain on the dryer, and be sure not
to overload the overload and make it work too hard. Also try
to turn on or use major appliances during non-peak hours which
are normally between 9pm and 6am on the following day –
energy costs are normally a fraction between those hours. An
additional method is to sign up with a third party energy provider
to supply your energy at lower costs – Systrum Energy
offers such a solution with no long term commitment or cancellation
penalties.
When the time for air conditioning arrives, make sure the unit
is the proper size for the space. A unit that is too large for
the area to be cooled, or too small for the room, can result
in a less efficient use of energy. Improving insulation and
air sealing keeps down the levels of heat in the house and prevents
excessive use of air conditioning. For homes that use central
air conditioning, a two-degree adjustment higher on the thermostat
can lower cooling bills and save 500 pounds of carbon dioxide
from entering the atmosphere every year. Check the amount of
refrigerant on the central air conditioner to prevent impaired
efficiency. Any homeowner may want to block high-angle summer
sun from entering windows by installing horizontal trellises
on windows that face east and west.
Saving energy spares not only the household budget, but it also
helps reduce the long-term harmful impact on the environment.
Try a bit of planning, smart products and simple techniques
to practice energy efficiency, and start saving.
RE/MAX of Tenafly
RE/MAX
Associates lead agents
of
competing companies in
professional
designations which
denote
specialized training and
education.
They dominate the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified Relocation
Professional (CRP), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Leadership Training
Graduate (LTG) ranks. Read
more...
About Orly Chen
Orly
Chen is a leading real
estate agent in Northern
New Jersey specializing
in the Bergen County
area. Her outgoing
personality, honesty
and approachability and
integrity make Orly one
of the most sought-after
agents in the Northern
New Jersey real estate
market. Read
more...
