As San Diegans we have been blessed with some of the best weather you could ask for in the world. Year round we experience an average daily temperature of 70.5° F, but this winter the temperature could drop as low as 40° F in the dead of night. Instead of cranking up the heat this season, here are a few savvy property management tips and tricks to save on energy costs:
1) Investing in a power monitor is a great tool for any home. They range in price from anywhere to $25-$1,000. Power monitors are a great way to monitor your homes entire electricity usage, view electricity readings and project monthly bills. This way you will be able to see which household devices are draining the most power and adjust your usage as needed.
2) Dropping your thermostat by one degree for eight hours at a time can help you save 1%. For a mild climate such as San Diego’s, the savings would increase far more than in a severe climate.
3) Rearranging your furniture can also do wonders as many pieces of furniture may be blocking heating vents.
4) The use of a power strip can also assist in saving energy. Having multiple devices plugged in drains energy much faster, whereas the power strip will help save energy. They are also very convenient in the fact that when items are not in use you can easily switch the power strip off.
5) Ceiling fans can also be of great use to you this season! Naturally heat rises and changing your ceiling fan direction will push the warm air back downward.
6) Avoid the use of your fireplace this winter, even though it sounds like a cozy idea. A fireplace actually sucks the warm air upward through the chimney and out of your home. If your flu is open, it allows for cold air to make its way inward.
7) If you notice a door to the outside of your home is a little bit drafty, try placing a rolled up towel underneath it by the opening. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, finding and sealing leaks can lower energy use between 5-30 %.
8) With the many gadgets we have lying around the house; it is common for many to leave devices that are already fully charged remaining plugged in. If you notice your cell phone, tablet or laptop has a full battery, try taking it off the charger to reduce energy costs.
9) Replacing your furnace filter once a month or as needed will increase the airflow in your home. You may even contemplate switching to a permanent filter. These can trap about 88% of debris.
10) And last, but certainly not least! Cut down on the use of hot water. This can be done by either taking shorter showers or even just switching to the use of cold water in your washing machine.
So the next time you receive your energy bill and decide to make some changes, keep some of these ideas in mind and remember to stay warm this winter!