Living Green
5 Simple Products to Help You Save Money and Energy at Home
By Jathy Garcia
Everyone loves to save money, but not everyone thinks about exactly how they can do that at home. Of course we all know the basics: take shorter showers, recycle, turn the sink off when brushing your teeth, and so on. However, not everyone knows about the new and improved products available on the market today that can potentially save them 50% or more on their water, gas, and energy bills! While these upgrades will cost you a bit upfront, the savings gained in the long-run are more than worth it. Below are some of Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air’s favorite products that can make your home more energy efficient and save you tons.
- Fiberglass Insulation
Having the right insulation in your home is incredibly important, especially in South Florida. Insulation keeps the cool air in during those hot and humid summer days, ensuring that your house remains at a comfortable temperature. It’s essential to have your entire home, including the attic, properly insulated to ensure you’re keeping all that cool air inside. This helps to prevent overusing your air conditioner by utilizing the “auto” setting which lets you choose your ideal temperature and only turns on the unit when your home fluctuates. For the most cost-effective, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly option, Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air recommends Owens Corning’s PINK® EcoTouch® FIBERGLAS™ Insulation with PureFiber® Technology. For more information on these products and fiberglass insulation in general, click here or call to speak to our dispatch department to setup a no-obligation appointment.
- Energy Recovery Ventilation System
An energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system is a fantastic way to save, especially in South Florida. While insulation helps to keep the cool air in, an ERV system pulls fresh air from outside, filters it, and then releases it into the home while expelling stale, humid air outside. Essentially, all an ERV system does is help to ensure the moisture levels in your home are at proper level, which keeps the air in your home fresh and the people in your home healthy! This is especially important if anyone in your home is asthmatic or has extreme allergies. An ERV system can also help you save money by controlling your home’s ventilation and minimizing energy loss.
Ultra Aire whole house ventilating dehumidifiers- replace section above ERV to Dehumidfier
- TanklessOr Hybrid Water Heater
Changing your water heater from a conventional tank to an on demand tankless or hybrid water heater can make a huge difference in your water heating costs.
With a tankless water heater, the water isn’t kept constantly hot in a tank like the conventional system. This makes a huge difference in the amount of energy your home is using and can cut your bill up to 50%! On top of that, you may be eligible to earn a sizable tax rebate—good to know with tax season right around the corner. For more information on how tankless water heaters work and how they can help you save, check out our Top 5 Reasons To Own A Tankless Water Heater post.
Hybrid water heaters work just like a refrigerator, except with the opposite result. Hybrid water heaters use the warm air around them to heat the water, making it extremely energy and cost efficient. The best part about getting a hybrid water heater is that they come with additional state and utility rebates, incentives, and tax credits. At Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air, we recommend the Rheem Hybrid Water Heater. This hybrid water heater can help reduce your home’s carbon footprint by nearly two tons every year. The average annual operating cost for a Rheem Hybrid Water Heater is between $255 and $280, less than half the country’s average.
- Eco-Friendly Toilet
Eco-friendly toilets use less water than traditional toilets which can drastically decrease your water bill, especially if you have a large family. At Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air, we make the toilet replacement process as easy as possible for you by delivering and installing your new toilet, and even hauling away and recycling your old one. While installing your new eco-friendly toilet, our talented technicians go above and beyond by replacing the wax ring, checking and replacing the toilet flange if necessary, and inspecting the new eco-friendly toilet to make sure everything is working optimally.
- Newer AC Unit
Did you know that your air conditioning unit could be stealing your money? Over the last decade, companies have drastically improved their use of technology with regards to home appliances. This new technology has provided better and more cost effective ways to help you save money and energy. In fact, new AC units can reduce your energy consumption by 25-40%, especially if your current unit is over ten years old. New units can be costly, but your lowered energy bill will more than make up for the expense.
Whether you’re an environmentalist or a savings enthusiast, all of the previously mentioned products can help you be both! At High-Tech Plumbing & Air, it’s our pleasure to ensure that you are making the best and most informed decisions for your home and family. Call Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air today to speak with a live representative or request an estimate at 561-790-6966.