Did you know that a NJ government grant can help homeowners save money on home energy cost? ( see below for info)

 

​But first, let's talk about some of the immediate things you can do to save money on your energy cost:

Limiting energy waste in your Bergen County New Jersey house is not only beneficial to the environment but will also save you money. There are best practices that you can observe year round. This article provides New Jersey homes energy conservation advice.

Thermostat Settings

An electronic thermostat saves money on heat and cooling. Instead of keeping your heat or A/C on the entire day, a programmable thermostat gives you the option to systematically adjust the settings at different times of day. This also stops you from forgetting to turn your thermostat down when you leave for work or at night.

Heating

The method used to manage the temperature in a home may depend on the type of heating system. Forced hot air systems raise the temperature of a space very quickly, whereas hot water systems take significantly longer. If you have a forced hot air system, drop the temperature by a larger amount and set it to warm back up shortly before you plan to return home. Hot water systems need more time to heat up, so it is best not to reduce the temperature too low and to also allow it more time to warm back up.

Cooling

Placement of air conditioners is something that you should think about. For central units, the best location for vents is near the ceiling because cold air falls. For portable systems, try not to place them near entry ways that open often and allow cold air to escape.

Electronics

Electronics consume energy even when they are powered off. For example, an LCD or plasma television consumes around 400 watts when in use and 4 watts when shut down. When you consider all of the electronics in a property, it can add up to a lot of idle energy over longer periods of time. Take the time to unplug electronics that are not in use. To make this easier, connect multiple cords to a surge protector that can be powered off.

Water Consumption

Water is probably the most wasted resources in New Jersey residences. First and foremost, avoid leaving water running while brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Quickly address plumbing leaks or running toilets. Look into water conservation toilets or place a filled water bottle into the tanks of current toilets to reduce the amount of water used for flushing. Low-flow faucets and shower heads will also help. These alterations will save on both water and sewer charges.

Addressing Air Gaps

Keep doors and windows sealed to maintain the heating or air conditioning in your New Jersey home. If you have doorways with two sets of doors, avoid having both open at the same time. This will minimize the amount of air that escapes your home.

Light Fixtures

Take advantage of natural sunlight whenever possible to brighten and warm up your home. Use solar powered outside lights. Low energy use light bulbs are readily available and many are brighter and run longer than their normal counterparts, making the benefits of switching clear.

New Jersey Property Energy Conservation Advice

A few of the New Jersey property energy conservation advice above are quickly implemented while others require you to be more aware of your energy usage. Together, they can result in some savings on your recurring utility bills. Practice energy conservation throughout the year in your New Jersey residence to realize the most benefit from your efforts.

 

Weatherize your home

 

​A couple of months ago (Sept, 2011) we had our home "weatherized". We are seeing substantial saving in our monthly gas & electric bill. Much of this was paid for by the State of NJ grant for NJ homeowners. Most NJ home owners don't know about this grant.

If you 'd like info on this contact my husband, Kevin Clark at 201-723-0550 and he will be glad to explain how we did it.