Living in a two-story home can cost more in utilities.
The costs of powering up any home rise when homeowners don't curtail waste. When you occupy two stories, those potential areas of waste multiply. Remembering to power down the areas of the house you're not using is a starting point; it's also a smart idea to take a hard look at the appliances on all levels to see if they are really worth the electricity you spend to power them. A few changes can make a big difference in your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Install an attic fan. Two-story homes are hot in the summer due to the intensity of the sun's heat on the roof. An attic fan will draw up cool air from the lower levels and reduce the home's overall temperature. This means you'll spend less in power to work the air conditioner. You can also open windows on the top levels of the house to release hot air.
2. Get rid of the space heaters. Chilly basements may be uncomfortable, but space heaters drain electricity. Caulk the basement windows to prevent drafts, and put on an extra sweater when you're downstairs. While you're in the basement, check that your water heater is properly insulated; heat escaping from the heater will mean higher costs to maintain a consistent temperature.
3. Recycle the old refrigerator in the basement. A second fridge may be convenient to store drinks and extra food, but it's a power drain, particularly if it's an older model. Limit your food appliances to one floor, and eliminate any excess power usage. If you're using the extra fridge because you need the space, go through your fridge contents and remove what doesn't need to be refrigerated. Repacking the contents may be all that's necessary for you to get rid of the extra basement appliance.
4. Program the thermostat and the air conditioning. Time these devices to power down when the rooms are not in use, such as during the day or late at night. Installing lights that turn off when no one is in the room is also an option, particularly if you have family members who leave one floor and go to another without turning off the switch.
5. Keep watch on the dryer. If your laundry is on another floor, it's possible to forget about it and to let the dryer run longer than it has to. Set a timer for the dryer to see if the items are dry; remove them if they are, and turn the dryer off. If this is inconvenient, set the dryer to stop running after a conservative amount of time.
Tags: power down, space heaters
