Energy Efficient Gadgets

Winter is quickly approaching in Texas and now would be the perfect time to add these easy energy efficient upgrades to your home. Not only will you be more green but you will also be saving money. The money you spend on these projects should easily be recouped by improving energy efficiency and by an increase in profits when you sell your home.

1. Replace your Shower Head:
Consider installing a new water sense labeled shower head that will cost you anywhere from $10 to $60 and will take about 15 minutes of your time. This will save you more than 2,300 gallons of water annually. Also check to see if your local utility company offers rebates for such a project.

2. Add Aerators to your Faucets:
A fairly cheap project costing you anywhere from $2 to $10 and about five minutes of your time is adding an aerator to your faucets. This addition will save 500 gallons of water annually. Low-flow aerators cut water and energy usage while still maintaining water pressure.

3. Install a Water-Efficient Toilet:
While a little bit more costly, this project will run you on average $200 and an hour of your time. By replacing an older toilet, the EPA estimates that an Austin family of four will save an average of $90, and $2000 over the lifetime of the toilet.

4. Install Compact Florescent Light Bulbs:
This is another quick and easy project that will run you anywhere between $2 to $15 a bulb. Getting rid of the old traditional light bulbs for a replacement of florescent bulbs can save you more than $65 annually.

5. Install a Programmable Thermostat:
Costing thirty minutes of your time and up to $250, this project can save you a bundle. A programmable thermostat allows you the freedom to program the temperature of your home at any given time of the day. Energy Star says that this can produce a savings of $180 annually.

6. Build or Install an Insulated Attic Hash:
This project can be time consuming but for as little as $30 to $240 the savings can be worth it. If your attic entry is not insulated, your home gains heat in summer and loses it in winter, jacking up your energy bills. There are many ready-made products as well that will save you time.

7. Stop Chimney Drafts:
15 minutes of your time and $55 for a ready-made draft stopper and you are all set. The draft stopper in the chimney may be closed, but by plugging the flue you can stop even more of the draft.

8. Drain Sediment from your Water Heater:
This project is free except for the 15 minutes of your time you will invest. By draining your water heater and getting rid of accumulated sediment annually, you are prolonging the life of your water heater.

9. Replace Washing Machine Hoses:
$10 to $20 is what it will cost you to replace the hoses to your washing machine. Be sure to check your hoses regularly for rusting, bulging, cracking, fraying and leaks. The average set of hoses is intended to last you five years at the most.

10. Add Insulated Window Treatments:
A good quality thermo window covering will cut your energy bills while adding comfort to your home. This can be a very pricey project but a good quality window covering will make a large amount of difference.

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