GREEN ENERGY CHECKLIST FOR THE HOMEHave you been on the lookout for reasons to go green in your own home? Aside from all the environmentally friendly reasons, cutting back on costs is one of the biggest reasons more and more homeowners are going green with their home’s mechanical systems. While the initial investment into more energy efficient technologies may seem a bit overwhelming at first, the hundreds saved each and every month will quickly add up in your favor.

In each area of the home, there are tons of opportunities to help cut back on your energy costs while contributing to more earth--friendly energy solutions, allowing almost any member of the family the chance to cut back on their energy consumption and work towards a greener earth.

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In the winter time, reduce the temperature by a degree or two, and if necessary throw on a long-sleeve shirt for some extra warming comfort. During the heat of summer, do just the opposite - keep the temperature a degree or two above what you might typically have set it at. While these may seem like small measures, both do add up to considerable energy savings over a period of time. You’ll have a lower energy bill, and you’ll feel good about having contributed to making your household a little greener.

When it comes time to replace your current heating or cooling system, be sure to investigate the newest and most energy-efficient models, because they are significantly more capable than the models of just ten years ago at conserving energy. To be sure you are buying an excellent energy-saving model, check the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) number displayed on the appliance - the higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the model is.

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS

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FAUCETS & PIPING

DISHWASHER & WASHER

SHOWER HEADS

Check the faucets and piping around the home periodically to ensure there are no drips or leaks anywhere. Water dripping out of a faucet, or escaping from a leak in a pipe can add up to a full bathtub of water in no time, and is water wasted.

Unless you are washing a full load in your washer or dishwasher, use the economy setting or half-load setting so that less water will be consumed in the cleaning and rinsing process.

In the bathroom, use low-flow shower heads to conserve water usage, because they can still be put at a setting which provides a powerful stream of water by strategic use of pressure, while actually requiring less water. With every member of the family using less water during their showers, the total savings can add up fast.

PLUMBING SYSTEM

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One of the energy saving techniques not commonly considered is in the area of heating hot water. If your hot water heater is set any higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you can comfortably turn that down a few degrees and consume less energy for heating. Insulating your pipes might carry an initial cost, but in the long run it will help to keep water warm, and will require less heating energy from the hot water heater.

In unoccupied rooms, turn off lights and fans, and any other electrically powered appliances, since they aren’t providing service to anyone inside. Avoid leaving appliances on standby status (for instance, computers, radios, and televisions), because that represents a steady drain of electrical power, and the same is true of over-charging devices which have already been charged up to their maximum status.

If you don’t already have energy-saving light bulbs installed all around the home, do so. They use only about one-fifth the energy that a conventional bulb does, and when you multiply that savings times many light bulbs over many months, the advantages become obvious. Energy-saving bulbs also last much longer than ordinary bulbs, so the savings are extended over a considerable period of time.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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OUT OF THE BOX WAYS TO SAVE ENERGYClosing your curtains in the evening prevents heat loss and energy loss from the home, and is a subtle way of retaining heat that might otherwise escape out windows and doors.

Trees planted around the home can contribute shadiness and help to keep the home cooler in the summertime, if placed strategically around the yard to intercept the sun’s hottest rays. This in turn will require less cooling from your air conditioner, and energy savings will be the result.

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A LEADING PITTSBURGH AREA HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, AND PLUMBING REPAIR SERVICE

TUDI offers you an exceptional team of designers, installers, project managers, service technicians and plumbers-each of us focused on providing you with the best service and energy-efficient benefits of today’s heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems.

With TUDI, you’ll get:

- Uncompromisingly courteous, dependable service every day- Energy-efficient designs, equipment and retrofits

PITTSBURGH343 Munson AvenueMcKees Rocks, PA 15136Phone: 412-771-4100

TAMPA BAY5615 East Adamo DriveTampa, FL 33619Phone: (813) 635-0100