Your mom wants to cut her expenses. You’re looking for easy ways to boost her home’s energy efficiency.

Below are some tips that take very little money and time to implement…

 

-Hang Light Blocking Insulated Curtains

Light blocking curtains that are insulated to protect against drafts are great at boosting energy efficiency. In the summer, your mom cuts her cooling costs by keeping sunlight out in the hottest parts of the day. In the winter, she’ll want to let the sun in during the day to help naturally warm a room while keeping the cool glass from cooling rooms at night. Make sure sliding glass doors also have thermal curtains to help prevent heat loss in the winter.

 

-Reconsider Appliance Placement

Is your mom’s refrigerator next to her oven? The heat released from the oven is going to cause the refrigerator to run more often. If they cannot be moved, add some foam insulation sheets between the two appliances to buffer some of the heat. You should also look at those issues if your mom has a wine fridge near the oven or a chest freezer next to the wood stove in the basement.

 

-Switch to LED Bulbs

LED bulbs used to be expensive, but they’ve become very affordable over the years. Look for sales and stock up on the bulbs. Most LED bulbs have a lifespan of years, so you won’t need to replace them often. They also provide a lot of light for little energy. A 10-watt LED bulb is the equivalent of a 60-watt regular light bulb, so your mom enjoys ample light while using less energy.

 

-Use Power Strips to Turn Off Multiple Appliances at Once

Some appliances use electricity even when they’re turned off. A television, music player, and Blu-ray player are just a few of the appliances that always use electricity. Plug them into a power strip and turn off the strip at the end of the night or when she’s not using them in the day. This cuts energy usage down while your mom sleeps and when she’s not at home or using them.

 

-Wrap Pipes and Water Heater in Insulated Covers

If your mom’s basement gets cold, wrapping hot water pipes in foam wraps helps prevent heat loss as hot water travels to baseboard heaters or to upstairs bathrooms or the kitchen. She can also get an insulated cover for her electric hot water heater that will help keep the water hotter for longer. By keeping the hot water hot, the water heater runs less.

Cutting energy and heating bills helps cut your mom’s expenses. Use this money to help pay for elder care services. You’ve noticed your mom struggles to keep up with housework and dislikes cooking. Caregivers can help her. Call an elder care agency to learn more.

 

If you or an aging family member are considering home care services in Dunwoody, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.