HOME&LIVING

Category: Energy & Utilities

  • How to Find Air Leaks at Home Before Weatherproofing

    How to Find Air Leaks at Home Before Weatherproofing

    Quick Answer: Before weatherproofing, look for common air-leak locations around doors, windows, attic access points, plumbing or wiring penetrations, and places where different building materials meet. Start with visible gaps and drafts; larger building-envelope work may need a qualified home-energy professional.

    Where to look first

    • Door edges, thresholds, and weatherstripping.
    • Window frames and trim.
    • Attic hatches and openings around pipes, ducts, or wiring.
    • Exterior wall penetrations and gaps near utility entries.

    Document the issue before sealing

    Take clear photos and note the room, location, and whether the issue is a visible gap, a draft, moisture, or a damaged seal. This makes it easier to choose an appropriate repair and to explain the issue to a landlord or contractor.

    Safety limits

    Do not block required ventilation, cover combustion-air openings, or seal around heat-producing equipment without qualified guidance. Stop and seek help if you find mold, wet insulation, damaged wiring, gas odors, or structural damage.

    When to Call a Professional

    Stop and use a qualified professional for electrical, gas, combustion, refrigerant, structural, or concealed water problems, and for any condition the equipment manual does not identify as a normal homeowner task. Use emergency services for an immediate fire, gas, carbon-monoxide, or injury risk.

    Official source

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver

  • How to Review a Thermostat Schedule Before Changing Comfort Settings

    How to Review a Thermostat Schedule Before Changing Comfort Settings

    Quick Answer: How to Review a Thermostat Schedule Before Changing Comfort Settings depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to Call a Professional

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • How to Find Your Utility Provider’s Current Electricity Rate Information

    How to Find Your Utility Provider’s Current Electricity Rate Information

    Quick Answer: How to Find Your Utility Provider’s Current Electricity Rate Information depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to Call a Professional

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • Water Heater Energy Use: What Affects Household Costs

    Water Heater Energy Use: What Affects Household Costs

    Quick answer: Water Heater Energy Use: What Affects Household Costs depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to get help

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • How to Use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick Before Making Upgrades

    How to Use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick Before Making Upgrades

    Quick answer: How to Use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick Before Making Upgrades depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to get help

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • Standby Power at Home: Which Devices Use Electricity When Off

    Standby Power at Home: Which Devices Use Electricity When Off

    Quick answer: Standby Power at Home: Which Devices Use Electricity When Off depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to get help

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • Thermostat Settings and Household Energy Use: What Changes the Bill

    Thermostat Settings and Household Energy Use: What Changes the Bill

    Quick answer: Thermostat Settings and Household Energy Use: What Changes the Bill depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to get help

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • Understanding Your Water Bill: Usage, Fees, and Local Rate Differences

    Understanding Your Water Bill: Usage, Fees, and Local Rate Differences

    Quick answer: Understanding Your Water Bill: Usage, Fees, and Local Rate Differences depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to get help

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • How to Read an Electricity Bill: The Charges to Check First

    How to Read an Electricity Bill: The Charges to Check First

    Quick answer: How to Read an Electricity Bill: The Charges to Check First depends on your home, equipment, climate, usage pattern, and local utility rules. Start with the information on your bill or equipment label, then compare it with official guidance for your area.

    What affects the result

    • How often the equipment or service is used.
    • Local electricity, gas, or water rates and billing rules.
    • Home size, weather, insulation, and equipment condition.
    • Whether a recent move, rate change, or seasonal demand has changed the bill.

    Practical next steps

    How to Read an Electricity Bill: The Charges to Check First — visual guide for this section
    Visual guide: use the steps and safety notes in this section.
    1. Save one recent bill and note the billing dates, usage, and rate units.
    2. Check the relevant appliance, thermostat, or service account for obvious changes.
    3. Use your utility provider’s current rate information for a local estimate.
    4. Contact the provider if a charge or meter reading is unclear.

    Costs, maintenance intervals, and energy use vary by home, equipment, climate, and local service rates. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local utility information.

    When to get help

    Contact your utility or a qualified professional for damaged wiring, a gas odor, water leaks, overheating equipment, or a sudden bill change you cannot explain safely.

    Official resources

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver and ENERGY STAR.

  • How Much Electricity Does a Clothes Dryer Use? A Simple Cost Guide

    How Much Electricity Does a Clothes Dryer Use? A Simple Cost Guide

    Quick answer: A clothes dryer’s cost depends on its energy use, cycle length, and local electricity rate. As an example, a dryer that uses 4 kWh per load costs about $0.69 per load at the 2025 U.S. residential average rate of 17.30 cents per kWh.

    This is an example calculation, not a universal average. Check your utility bill and your dryer’s actual energy information for a more precise estimate.

    How to calculate the cost

    Use this formula:

    Electricity cost = kilowatt-hours used × electricity rate

    For a 4 kWh load at $0.173 per kWh:

    4 × $0.173 = $0.692, or about $0.69 per load.

    If you run the dryer 12 times per month, the same example would cost about $8.28 per month. Your result will change with the dryer, cycle, load, and local rate.

    What affects dryer electricity use?

    • Load size and fabric type
    • Cycle length and heat setting
    • How much water the washer removes during its spin cycle
    • Dryer age and efficiency
    • Lint buildup or restricted vent airflow
    • Your local electricity price

    How to reduce the cost

    1. Use a high-spin washer cycle to remove more water before drying.
    2. Do not overload the drum.
    3. Use sensor-dry or lower-heat settings when appropriate.
    4. Clean the lint filter after every load.
    5. Inspect the vent if clothes take much longer than usual to dry.

    ENERGY STAR explains that a higher Combined Energy Factor (CEF) indicates better dryer efficiency. Its guidance also recommends moisture sensors, lower-energy cycles when practical, and regular lint-filter cleaning.

    Why your local rate matters

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 2025 average residential electricity price of 17.30 cents per kWh, but rates vary widely by state and utility provider. Replace $0.173 in the example with the rate on your own bill.

    When to call a professional

    Stop using the dryer and contact a qualified appliance or dryer-vent professional if it overheats, smells like burning, has poor vent airflow, leaves clothes damp after normal cycles, or repeatedly trips a breaker.

    Bottom line

    The most reliable estimate comes from your dryer’s actual kWh use and your local electricity rate. The 4 kWh example above works out to about $0.69 per load at the cited U.S. average rate, but your real cost may be different.

    Sources