1. Foam Gaskets for Electrical Boxes. This is a super easy way to stop drafts from your sockets. For about $3 for a pack of 12, you can put these foam gaskets in your electrical sockets. It would only take about an hour or two to do at most. Just take off the plate cover, install the gasket and you are ready to go!
2. Install Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Throughout Your Home. You don’t need me to tell you that fluorescent bulbs are an easy way to save on your electricity bill. Somewhere in your home though, there’s that room or lamp that doesn’t have one. You’d get to it eventually, when the bulbs go die. Don’t wait, replace them today! Set a limit, spend about X amount of dollars on CFLs and install them. You could save $100 to $150 on your energy bill a year. Make some money with it too! Check to see if your power provider offers rebates for CFLs. Most of them do.
3. Use an Electric Mattress Pad. Don’t like sleeping in the cold? I know that I don’t. Instead of using that cozy electric blanket, switch it out for an electric mattress pad. The power consumption of an electric mattress pad is low. With one of these installed, you’ll be able to keep the temperature in rest of the house and still be able to sleep cozily. With an initial cost of around $125 (prices vary), you’ll easily cover the cost in first year, saving about $180.
4. Make Your Own Sun Jar. This one is more on the crafty side than energy saving, but still good and fun for all! With a flip-top mason jar, a solar light, AA battery, tracing paper or glass frosting spray, a bit of time and craftiness, you can make a neat solar lamp. All for way less than the $45 cost at retail!
5. Seal Leaks in Ductwork. This one is cheap and super easy. With some silicone caulk, you can seal leaky joints in your ductwork. Using aluminum colored silicone caulk, caulk every joint. Make sure to clean the joints first with a spray cleaner and use a rag to remove the dust. Finish up with some foil tape (high temperature UL181 to be exact) using that to seal joints of round ductwork. Don’t want to use silicone? Use duct mastic. It’s easier and the preferred method of contractors. Plus, it’s readily available at your local hardware store.
6. Install Water Saving Faucet or Shower Head. Make sure to choose faucets or shower heads with aerators! They inject air bubbles into the water. This way you get the same pressure with less volume! These are low-flow and will help you significantly help reduce your water consumption. Shower heads and faucets are easy to install and low cost!
7. Weather Strip Your Home. This is a great way to stop drafts and reduce your energy costs. It would take about a half a day do your doors and windows. But still! The $50 or so dollars you put towards weather stripping your home, you’ll easily see back over the course of the year. Weather stripping is also a great way to keep bugs out during the summer, which would be a relief to some!
Those are my 7 simple, low cost, and easy energy saving projects for you to do this winter (or spring or summer if you so choose)! Who said saving money can’t be fun? Hope you enjoy these projects and make sure to comment here with what worked or didn't work for you! Or if you have ideas for other energy saving projects, share them! For more information on these projects (and others like them), click the links below.
best,
danielle p.
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-weather-strip-your-home/index.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/kitchen/strategies-for-going-green/index.html
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2008-02-01/Easy-Projects-for-Instant-Energy-Savings.aspx?page=6#axzz2KJlf5uYm
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Saving-Money/Energy-Efficiency/expert-energy-saving-tips
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-your-own-sun-jar-89236