Via California - March/April 2020 - 22

SMART GUIDE

1. Turn down the heat (or AC).
For maximum efficiency, keep
your thermostat no higher than
68 degrees in winter and no lower
than 78 in summer. Lower the
temperature when everyone is
sleeping and turn off the air or
heat when no one is home. You
can save 10 percent on your heating bill by turning the thermostat
down 10 to 15 degrees for the
eight hours when many of us are
out of the house each day.
Better yet, invest in a smart
device, like the one from Google
Nest, to control your indoor climate intelligently. "A programmable thermostat can be both energy
efficient and a money saver for
you," says Michelle Galvez, a
spokesperson for AAA House
Manager. "But you can't just set it
and forget it. Make sure that the
times and temperatures you enter
into it are right for your lifestyle."

V I A | M A R C H +A P R I L 2 0 2 0

2
3

Get smarter bulbs. Switching five of
your home's most heavily used lights
from traditional incandescent bulbs to
Energy Star-certified CFLs, LEDs, or halogens can cut energy use by up to 80
percent and save the average household
$75 annually. These newer types also
last up to 25 times longer than standard
bulbs. Using a smart-home system to
intelligently control your lights can save
you even more money.

Seal drafts. Does your home have
adequate insulation? If not, it's
costing you extra on your utility
bills. Hire a professional to crawl
into your attic and check. A pro
can also find drafts around doors
and windows and suggest
needed repairs. (If you live in
California's Alameda or Contra
Costa Counties, AAA House
Manager can help with this.)

4. Unplug vampires. "Vampire
appliances"-those that draw
power even when they aren't in
use-can account for more than
20 percent of home electricity
consumption. Chief culprits may
include your TV, stereo system,
cable box, game console, laptop,
printer, microwave, toaster oven,
coffeemaker, and blow-dryer.
The solution: Unplug them when
they're not in use. To simplify
things, plug them into power
strips with on/off switches.

LEFT: COURTESY GOOGLE NEST; RIGHT: MARTIAPUNTS / ISTOCK

Around the house

Via California - March/April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Via California - March/April 2020