Energy Saving Tips

Energy Saving Tips for your Connecticut Home

The home improvement staff at J.C. Tonnotti Window Company are Energy Efficient Experts. They sell ENERGY STAR products and provide services to create energy efficient houses; whether they are new, old, beautiful, or drafty New England homes.

Read about “Energy Efficient Exterior Home Improvements: An Interview with J.C. Tonnotti Window Company” by Kristen Bosse.

Energy Star Energy Efficient Connecticut Homes

New and old home construction can become more “green” by taking measures to create a consistent indoor temperature.

Learn more about how choosing energy efficient Harvey windows for your home earns you tax credit!

Energy Star is a program of recognizing products and services that improve the energy flow in homes. Look for the Energy Star logo on new appliances, doors and windows.

Winterize Your Connecticut Home – To save on heating bills, J.C. Tonnotti recommends inspections & evaluations of homes to find drafts and make upgrades to improve consistent temperatures.

The first thing to do is to look at windows and doors. Replacement windows with ENERGY STAR ratings can dramatically reduce drafts by windows and upgrade the value of a home with energy efficient, beautiful, and easy to clean windows.

Replacing your front door, storm door and back doors with ENERGY STAR approved doors is another way to reduce drafts and improve a home’s appearance, therefore improving the value of the home.

Summerize Your Connecticut Home

To save on soaring summer air conditioner bills, J.C. Tonnotti recommends inspections & evaluations to your home to find drafts and make upgrades to stabilize temperatures.

Seven Steps to Creating a Green Home

A start to creating a Green Home includes minimizing energy use, using energy efficient appliances, and using products made from sustainable companies.

  1. Upgrade mechanical systems – New furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, windows and ductwork provide immediate benefits. Solutions such as solar power also provide huge savings.
  2. Dry basements & crawlspaces – Extend living and storage space. Seal leaks to reduce high humidity levels that grow mold and moisture.
  3. Air Seal the Roof – Reduce drafts with insulation. The insulation helps cool homes in the summer as well.
  4. Replace the windows & doors – Old windows and doors leak air and water into the home, causing drafts and humidity issues. Properly installed Energy Star windows and doors reduce the heating and cooling needed and reduce wasted energy.
  5. Insulate the walls – Often overlooked in older homes, insulation dramatically reduces energy needs by maintaining the home’s temperature.
  6. Change your habits –
    1. Light conservation – Shut lights off. Don’t turn lights on when you can open blinds and curtains, and buy efficient light bulbs.
    2. Heat & air flow conservation – Open window curtains during the day to let natural sunlight in, and close window covers at night. Keep heat and air settings low and consistent. Adjust clothing to keep warm or cool.
  7. Add renewable energy source – Once you have reduced your energy consumption, consider producing your own energy systems such as solar, hydroelectric, or even wind power.

General Energy Saving Tips

  • Appliances – Consider replacing your appliances (as needed) with ENERGY STAR rated appliances to conserve energy.
    • Home Appliances with ENERGY STAR ratings may include air conditioners, fans, ceiling fans, ventilation fans, boilers, furnaces, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, dish washers, refrigerators, washers, dryers and more.
    • Home Electronic equipment with ENERGY STAR ratings include battery charging systems, cordless phones, tv, dvd, home audio systems.
    • Lighting utilities with ENERGY STAR ratings include light bulbs & lighting fixtures.
  • Bathroom Exhaust Fans – When using the exhaust fan in your bathroom, only run it for about 20 minutes. If left unattended, a bathroom exhaust fan removes a houseful of warm or cool air in just 1 hour!
  • Blinds, Drapes, Curtains & the Sun – One of the most environmentally friendly ways to save energy & money on your home is to “Let The Sun Shine In.” The sun warms your house during the day, so it is recommended to open blinds, curtains, and drapes in the morning to let sun in. At dusk or nighttime, close the drapes to keep warm air in.
  • Furnace – Keep the furnace and vents in good condition. Check the manufacturer’s instructions and schedule annual maintenance. Older furnaces should be replaced with new energy efficient ones.
  • Insulation – Check the insulation in the attic. R-19 is recommended to keep homes at comfortable temperatures.
  • Replace Drafty Windows & Doors – Replace old, drafty windows and doors with new ENERGY STAR rated products. This upgrade will potentially save hundreds of dollars on annual heating and cooling bills. Call J.C. Tonnotti Window Company for more information about energy-efficient windows and doors.
  • Seal Plugs – Seal off electric receptacles and switch boxes with foam gaskets or fiberglass insulation.
  • Thermostat – Consider lowering your thermostat 4 to 5 degrees at night when you sleep or go away for the day. Replacing old thermostats with an ENERGY STAR rated thermostat can dramatically lower energy consumption.
  • Weather Stripping – Check the weather-stripping around the house. This provides a barrier to drafts and cold/hot air loss. Check windows, doors, garage door and access ways to the attic.

For more energy-saving tips, browse the following links: