The National Association of Home Builders offers these high-tech tips for shaving $200 to $400 off your annual energy bill while increasing the value of your home.
- Automated HVAC. According to Energy Star, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 per year by reducing consumption when you’re out, and by allowing you to set up heating and cooling zones based on how rooms are used. A seldom-used guest bedroom, for example, might need less heat than a living room.
- Water heaters. Tankless gas water heaters, which heat water when needed rather than keeping a reservoir of heated water in the basement, reduce water heating costs by up to 35% annually. If you have a traditional water heater, get a programmable timer that turn the water heater off when you’re away from home.
- Automated lighting. Automatic dimmers adjust interior and exterior lighting based on the time of day. As days get longer, you can set the dimmer to turn lights on later.
- Automated blinds. This eco-savvy development in window treatments allows you to program shades to close automatically, helping cool your home on hot summer or let the sun in on cold winter days.