As summer slowly creeps its way up on Central Florida calendars we all wait with excitement and anticipation. Time off from school, work and vacations from all of life’s responsibilities are usually the first things that excite us about this beloved time of year. However, once the season arrives we are quick to remember the scorching heat accompanied by skyrocketing electric bills. Why not make this summer different than the rest?

By making your home more energy efficient you’ll not only help our planet, but your pockets as well.

There are dozens of ways to make your home more “energy friendly”, but a few stand out as easier and quicker than others. Martin Munley with Handy Hands Home Services has offered his expertise in electrical, plumbing and carpentry to help each of us in East Orlando have a more energy efficient home in just a few easy steps.

Getting started is easier than you may think, beginning with looking for things you may never have noticed around the house before. “Start with the simple small cost items,” he says. “Look for gaps around windows and doors. A door which is not square within the door jam or does not fit tightly against the door jam is an energy waster. The solution here could be as simple as new or additional weather stripping.” The same is true for windows. “If the window when closed does not fit tightly, window weather stripping will probably seal the air leak,” suggests Munley. These easy to fix items will prove to be quickly cost effective in your home.

Next, the use of your air conditioning is definitely something to pay attention to, especially as the weather continues to get hotter. It may be tempting to knock the thermostat down to 74 degrees to keep you and your family cool, but remember that it is one of the biggest energy wasters in your home. Ceiling fans are far more effective than we give them credit for! According to Munley, “Setting the thermostat to 78 or 80 degrees with your ceiling fan on high is more cost effective than your thermostat set at 74 degrees.” He cautions, do not forget the power of the off switch! If fans are left on high over night or when no one is home, they are wasting the energy that we want them to be saving.

We all want our homes to be the best they can be, for the green of the planet and the green in our pockets. These next few months, take the time to make sure your home is in tip top energy saving shape!

Article by Amanda Roesch