Thinking about your home’s energy efficiency? After a very hot summer and early fall, many people are considering upgrading to a new, energy-efficient home. Analysis by the National Association of Home Builders shows that the newer a single-family home, the less energy it uses. And even though newer homes are larger, their increased efficiency means that homes built since 1999 use the same or slightly less energy than homes built before 1950.
Yet, even though new homes are built to be more efficient, true energy savings will depend on household behavior. Here are some ideas for making your home, no matter how old, more efficient.
- Installing compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs throughout your house is an easy and inexpensive money saver.
- Electronics: Turn them off when they are not in use. This includes TVs and computers!
- Use your dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Even small changes in temperature can save money.
Study your home’s energy usage and understand where the energy is going. Do you have a new home but an old refrigerator? Is someone taking excessively long showers? Do you leave lights, a computer, or the television on even when you are not in the room or at home? Small changes in your energy habits can save big money over time.
Upstate Parade of Homes
The Upstate Parade of Homes, produced by the Home Builders Association of Greenville and presented by Ryan Homes, begins this weekend and will feature more than 30 new homes by the top Approved Professional Builders in the Upstate. The Parade will spotlight our Signature Community, Riverstone by Ryan Homes, a community of more than 450 new homes near Simpsonville.
Homes are open to the public 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. daily on the weekends of October 11-13 and October 18-20. Admission to the homes requires a complimentary ticket. Visit UpstateParadeofHomes.com for information and tickets, and download our parade app in your phone’s app store.