When bringing a newborn into the home, chances are you are going to be using appliances a little more. You'll be doing more cooking, have extra laundry, keeping the lights on longer and use more heat and water. This will all certainly result in increased electricity and natural gas usage. However, there are ways to make your home more energy efficient, even with a brand new baby around.
Tips for More Efficient Energy Usage
• Set your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees. This will not only keep the bill down, but will keep the baby safe from scalding water when bathing. If the hot water heater is warm to the touch, put an energy-saving insulation blanket around it.
• Keep your home at a moderate temperature. As a rule, keep it between 68 and 72 degrees for the first six months the baby is home.
• Bottles don't need to be boiled; simply put them with other dishes on the hot cycle of the dishwasher.
• Wash the baby's clothes in warm water and rinse them in cold. This will save some energy and won't ruin any flame retardants in the garments.
• Save energy and water by using a small tub to bathe the baby. Fill the tub with cool water and then slowly add warm water so that it doesn't get too hot.
• If you're using a humidifier or a vaporizer, use a cool mist. This is better for the baby's health and saves on energy.
• When heating your home, insulation, weather-stripping and caulking can make a huge difference in keeping the warm air inside the house and the cold air out. Keep the baby's crib against an inside wall for a little added warmth.
On the Safe Side
• Keep all appliances out of your baby's reach, paying special attention to fans and space heaters. If using a floor furnace or mobile heating unit, use extreme caution. Don't let your baby go anywhere near it!
• Even when an appliance is turned off, it still conducts electricity. So unplug it and keep it away from water.
• Be sure to cover all electrical outlets with plug covers and keep extension cords away from the baby.
• Don't heat bottles in the microwave. While the bottle might be cool to the touch, the liquid inside could be very hot.
If you're bringing the baby home toward the end of summer or early fall, it would be very wise to change your furnace air filter. Starting fresh with a new filter will help create the best possible environment for the baby.
Call a residential furnace repair company if you have any questions about your furnace. Whether you have a Carrier, Tempstar, Rheem, or Armstrong furnace, reputable heating and air companies will know how to service it. They will also have heating supplies such as filters, and will give you sound advice on maintaining your furnace and getting the most out of it efficiency-wise.
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