This article was written by Teri Silver, a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.

In Montgomery County, we’re all about living with an eco-friendly conscience, not only to save a few dollars in utility bills, but to lessen the wear and tear on planet Earth. “How?” you may ask.

Houses need constant upkeep. Replacing windows, sealing foundation cracks, replacing old “electric hog” appliances, and cleaning coils, vents, and connectors are ways to make your home more energy-efficient. Also consider swapping energy products or taking on a few small home-improvement projects.

Photo by Kindel Media

WAYS TO CUT ENERGY BILLS INSIDE THE HOME

Heating and Cooling

Your home’s HVAC system — heating, venting, and air conditioning — is the centerpiece of your home, especially in winter and summer. Energy-saving insulation comes in material rolls, spray foams, concrete blocks, and foam… just to name a few. Unfinished walls, floors, ceilings, and open walls are areas for insulation that will help keep heat inside during cold spells, and heat outside on hot summer days. Hire a qualified contractor to clean and maintain the furnace.

Windows

Drafty windows and foundation cracks allow cool air to seep into the house. There’s only so much caulking an old window will do to keep the cold air outside. Today’s double-pane or triple-pane windows keep the air out as they brighten up the house with a fresh “new” feeling. In most cases, replacement costs vary with window style and material but the more you buy, the less each window costs on its own.

Doors

Old doors don’t necessarily need to be replaced, but a bit of weatherstripping goes a long way. The smallest cracks or openings between the door and doorway will let cold (or hot) air flow through into the house. Weatherstripping materials include foam and felt — both inexpensive and easy to install. Vinyl stripping keeps moisture at bay. Metal stripping lasts longer, but you’ll need to be a skilled DIYer to install it.

Water

Cutting back on water usage is easy — if you can get the whole family to commit to it. Save on water and electric (or natural gas) bills by

• Washing clothes in cold water.
• Setting hot water tanks to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Installing conservation showerheads.
• Taking short(er) showers — three to five minutes tops!
• Turning off the sink faucet when brushing teeth and shaving.
• Ensuring the dishwasher is full before running it. Scrape off leftover food (with cold water) before loading. Set the machine on “short cycle” and turn off the automatic dish dryer. Instead, open the dishwasher to let everything air dry.

Simple DIY projects like fixing a running toilet or faucet will save a few dollars in wasted water, as well as a plumber’s fee.

New Appliances

When it comes time to buy a new refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, and other household appliances, look for the Energy Star list of products that do more with less. Determine what works best in your home’s square footage space.

Computers

It’s an easy thing to do — turn off computers when not in use. Screensavers may keep the pixels healthy but they don’t save energy. Power-saving modes help somewhat, but they don’t keep the units from wasting energy. Computer games draw a lot of energy from the unit — don’t leave them on when not in use. Power strips draw less energy than plugging your systems directly into the wall.

WAYS TO CUT ENERGY BILLS OUTSIDE THE HOME

Specially placed landscaping helps protect your home from cold and hot air.

Save energy by doing the following things.

• Planting leafy deciduous trees in the back and side yards. Trees block direct sunlight from streaming through windows, heating up the house (in summer). Shade the air conditioning unit with shrubs and bushes.
• Planting evergreens to block the winter winds. Vines provide insulation around the perimeter of your house.
• Adding mulch to flower beds to keep the moisture in place.
• Placing solar-powered light sticks around your yard (instead of using electric lights).
• Consulting a professional landscaper on how to best protect your property.

Here in Montgomery County, we take “eco-friendly” very seriously, always looking for ways to make our Maryland homes as green as possible — and save money in the process. Looking for more ideas on how to make your home and community better? Check out our Projects and Incentives page for more info!