April 22nd is Earth Day. Homeowners of Orlando luxury homes may try to turn off their lights or turn up their air conditioning on this day, but Earth Day is really more than that.
Earth Day is a time when we all take a look at our own personal carbon footprint and attempt to curb its impact. Of course, every day should be Earth Day or else the shift we may be trying to make to keep the world healthy for generations to come will be for naught.
If you, your friends, and neighbors have already made some changes in the last few years to green up Orlando luxury homes, why not try to go even greener? There are plenty of easy and affordable ways to leave a greener footprint. Below are just a few:
Change Light Bulbs
Reduce the electricity bills in Orlando luxury homes by $60 to $100 annually simply by changing five incandescent light bulbs in areas that you use frequently to LED bulbs.
Washer & Dryer Tips
Knock off $100 from the utility bills in Orlando luxury homes by washing materials of equal thickness together to save on water and cleaning time. For example, washing towels together instead of with regular clothing can save you money and time. Also, cleaning the lint trap regularly in your dryer can reduce your utility bill.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Did you know that utility bills for Orlando luxury homes cost more than $2,200 a year on average? Approximately 50% of that is directly from the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
To make Orlando luxury homes more energy efficient, the easiest and most inexpensive things a homeowner can do is to change air filters at least once every three months.
Additionally, adding and actually using a programmable thermostat may keep $200 or more in your pocket every year by allowing you to program different temperatures for times when people are home. The energy experts at Energy Star recommend homeowners keep their home temperature at 78 degrees when home and as high as 85 degrees when you’re out for the day.
Claim Tax Credits
Owners of Orlando luxury homes can earn federal income tax credits for energy efficiency. Many residential energy efficiencies will be eligible on 2016 purchases with some offering 30% of cost with no upper limit for specific items added to Orlando luxury homes.
Schedule a Home Energy Audit
You can save up to 30% or more on your energy bill if you following recommendations from a home energy audit. You can schedule a professional energy assessment of your home or do your own self-assessment.
Be Sure Your Home is Insulated
Do you know if your Orlando luxury homes are insulated, and are they insulated well? Improving the insulation in your home can drop energy bills by 10 percent. It also will make your home remain at a more comfortable temperature all year.
Insulation in the attic should be at least level with the attic floor joists. Air leak areas around other areas of the home can be repaired with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping.
