Want to know where your home uses the most energy? Check out this article from NextStepLiving.com. Find out which appliances use the most energy along with some energy saving tips! 

As we head into back-to-school season, it might be time for homeowners to test themselves on energy smarts, too. Inefficient energy habits can lead to bigger bills. So where are you losing the most money? We can take a guess.

To break it down, look at this chart adapted from the Department of Energy:

 

Your heating and cooling costs likely add up to nearly half of your energy bill. Upgrading your HVAC system, getting a no- or low-cost home energy assessmentand checking for adequate insulation and air sealing will have the biggest impact on your bills, but other smaller changes will help, too. Here are a few to get started:

1. Move your thermostat. By now you know that using a programmable thermostat correctly can save you up to 15% on your overall energy bills. But the location of your thermostat matters just as much as the temperature you set. If your thermostat is in a drafty or colder part of your house, adjust your thermostat to be slightly lower in the wintertime so the rest of your home doesn’t overheat. This can happen especially if your thermostat is near ducts, registers or outside doors.
    
2. Mind the gaps. Your advisor will check your doors and windows for more obvious signs of air leakage during a home energy assessment, including all the unfinished space in your home. But you should be on the lookout for smaller holes in finished spaces, such as your electrical outlets, loose light fixtures or smoke detectors and around window trim and baseboards all which can let air escape.
    
3. Don’t leave the lint. Your mom probably yelled at you for this when you were younger, but it’s a necessary step to clean out the lint from your dryer filters in between uses. It’ll keep your dryer running efficiently. (Or, save even more energy and dry your clothes outside!)
    
4. Remember to keep a good cooking seal. While you’re prepping your favorite fall comfort foods, opt for tight-fitting covers on your pots and pans. You’ll cook your food faster and save energy at the same time. 
    
5. Turn things off. Your lights, your appliances, your TV (remember to really unplug your phantom loads such as your television set or computers), your AC, the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth … when in doubt, turn it off. Even better: Use a smart power strip to control your electricity use.  

Thinking of upgrading your heating system? Don't forget to check out our high efficiency products! 

(Original article & chart: http://www.nextstepliving.com/blog/5-small-energy-saving-hacks)

In order to get the most out of your high efficiency Westinghouse Water Heating product, it is important that a licensed professional installs it. Proper installation means that it will run smoothly - saving energy and money. Below are 10 tips from Energy Star on hiring a heating and cooling contractor. 

1. Study up — Find out about license and insurance requirements for contractors in your state. And before you call a contractor, know the model of your current system and its maintenance history. Also make note of any uncomfortable rooms. This will help potential contractors better understand your heating needs.

2. Ask for referrals — Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for contractor referrals. You can also contact local trade organizations for names of members in your area.

3. Call references — Ask contractors for customer references and call them. Ask about the contractor's installation or service performance, and if the job was completed on time and within budget.

4. Find special offers — A heating and cooling system is one of the largest purchases you'll make as a homeowner. Keep your costs down by checking around for available rebates on energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment. Begin your search at www.energystar.gov.

5. Look for ENERGY STAR — ENERGY STAR qualified products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and offer significant long-term energy savings. Contractors should be able to show you calculations of savings for ENERGY STAR heating and cooling equipment.

6. Expect a home evaluation — The contractor should spend significant time inspecting your current system and home to assess your needs. A bigger system isn't always better; a contractor should size the heating and cooling system based on the size of your house, level of insulation, and windows. A good contractor will inspect your duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and insulation and measure airflow to make sure it meets manufacturers specifications.

7. Get written, itemized estimates — When comparing contractors' proposals (bids), be sure to compare cost, energy efficiency and warranties. A lowest price may not be the best deal if it's not the most efficient because your energy costs will be higher.

8. Get it in ink — Sign a written proposal with a contractor before work gets started. It'll protect you by specifying project costs, model numbers, job schedule and warranty information.

9. Pass it on — Tell friends and family about ENERGY STAR. Almost one-quarter of households knowingly purchased at least one qualified product last year, and 71% of those consumers say they would recommend ENERGY STAR to a friend. Spread the word, and we can all make a big difference.

10. Get the ENERGY STAR Guide — For complete information on keeping your home comfortable year-round, get the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficient Cooling and Heating en espanol — Guía para la Eficiencia de Energía en la Calefacción y el Aire Acondicionado 

 

(Original article: https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_contractors_10tips)

Check out these tips from Energy Star on decreasing your energy costs in the fall. 

Make this year’s fall season also represent a fall in energy costs.  Start now with these heating tips from ENERGY STAR.  Enjoy lower energy bills compared to last year, increased comfort, plus that warm feeling that comes from knowing you’re helping reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change, making a difference in the environment for your family and generations to come. 

1. KEEP THE COLD OUT AND THE WARM IN

Sealing air leaks found around outer walls, windows, doors, etc. and adding insulation can save you up to 20% on your heating bills. Simple fixes include installing weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows. Bigger jobs might include sealing leaks and adding insulation. 

A good place to start is to check your attic insulation level. A good rule of thumb is that if the insulation level is just up to the top of the attic floor joists, you have less than half the recommended insulation levels for most locations in the U.S. Learn how measuring and improving your attic insulation can help you “Rule Your Attic!” this winter.

2. HEAT YOUR HOME EFFICIENTLY 

Maintaining your HVAC system can save you big on your utility bills and your comfort. As much as half your home energy bill goes to heating and cooling.

• Check your furnace’s air filter once a month, especially during the heavy-use months of winter. A dirty filter slows air flow, making the system work harder which wastes energy. If it’s dirty, clean or replace it. At a minimum, clean or replace it every three months.
• Sealing and insulating air ducts, especially those in your attic or crawlspace, helps keep the heat where you want it and can improve your HVAC system’s efficiency by as much as 20%.
• Consider a yearly professional tune-up of your HVAC system.
• If you need to replace your HVAC system, ask your contractor about ENERGY STAR certified units. And make sure that your new energy-efficient unit is properly installed for maximum savings. 

 

3. PROGRAM FOR SAVINGS 

If you do not yet have a programmable thermostat, you need to get one – and then program it for savings.

• All you have to do is set it up to match your schedule. This way you avoid heating your house when you don’t need to, saving you about $180 a year! To maximize savings without sacrificing comfort, program your thermostat to lower the heat by 8 degrees F or more when you’re away from home or asleep. It’s just that easy. Check out this video for more information on programming for savings. 

4. MAKE "BRIGHT" CHOICES FOR LIGHTING 

Choose ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs.

• Many of us have heard about the outstanding energy efficiency provided by LED lighting. But LED bulbs are not all the same when it comes to performance. To get the energy efficiency and performance you expect, look for the ENERGY STAR label. LED bulbs that earn the label are independently certified to ensure they deliver on brightness and color, and shine light where you want it. Check out these videos to see what we mean. ENERGY STAR LED lighting comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles for all your home needs, including light strings for the holidays. 

 

5. SAVE ENERGY WHILE ENJOYING FOOTBALL SEASON

You can even save energy and money while sitting on the couch with an ENERGY STAR certified TV!

• A home equipped with TVs, set-top boxes, a Blu-ray player and a home theatre in a box that have earned the ENERGY STAR, can save more than $280 over the life of the products – that can really help make a difference on your energy bill – especially during the season when you’ll be spending plenty of time watching your favorite teams.
• If you’re streaming video, laptops and tablets use the least amount of energy. If you are using another device, like a Blu-ray player, choose equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
• And, don’t forget, holiday season is right around the corner and the best gifts do great things. ENERGY STAR electronics, including TVs, sound bars, speaker docks, computers, printers, monitors, cordless phones, and more, make great gifts. But the best gifts are also good for the environment. ENERGY STAR certified electronics go beyond the latest features and functions to deliver great energy efficiency.

 

(Original Article: https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=globalwarming.showHeating) 

With the recent heat wave and extreme humidity we've been getting, we thought this article by NextStepLiving.com would be perfect for our readers: "Beat the heat without breaking your wallet." Happy reading! 

Let’s face it, energy can be expensive. This time of year, your cooling bills can be nearly half of your utility bill. Don’t despair. There are so many effective and affordable ways to address high utility bills even in the summer heat. Our latest home energy advisor of the month Zak Elgart lays out his top tips for saving money and energy during the dog days of summer:

Turn up the heat. When it comes to staying cool, your comfort is important, but so is your home cooling bill. For the sake of your wallet, it’s important to determine how many degrees you can raise your home’s overall temperature and still stay comfortable. Every additional degree you can handle means more money back in your pocket. And every time you turn it down, that’s money you won’t see again. We don’t want you to bake in the heat, but if your home feels like a meat locker, consider turning up your thermostat a few degrees and see how you feel.

One room at a time. When it comes to air conditioning, don’t waste your energy or money to cool the rooms you don’t spend time in. It’s not worth it. Close the doors and keep the cool air in the areas you use most, like your bedroom. A ductless mini split can help you with room-by-room cooling, but so can well-placed AC units and fans. Just be sure to shut it all off before you leave the room.

(Original article and picture from: http://www.nextstepliving.com/blog/advisor-answers-how-beat-heat-without-breaking-your-wallet) 

Do you ever find yourself freezing in your office during a hot summer day? Many women do. In fact, many women bundle up in sweaters and cardigans during the summer to get through their work day. Men however, walk around in t-shirts and seem to be comfortable. A recent NY Times article explains why this happens every summer! 

"Finally, scientists (two men, for the record) are urging an end to the Great Arctic Office Conspiracy. Their study, published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change, says that most office buildings set temperatures based on a decades-old formula that uses the metabolic rates of men. The study concludes that buildings should “reduce gender-discriminating bias in thermal comfort” because setting temperatures at slightly warmer levels can help combat global warming." 

We at Westinghouse Water Heating found this article very interesting, as we are always arguing about the office temperatures. Read the full article here and let us know what you think! 

 

(Photo from NY Times article)