Miranda Boutelle

1 month ago | kentuckyliving.com | Wade Harris |Miranda Boutelle

Thoughtful planning, good design and proper planting when landscaping around your home can result in year-round energy savings. Correctly positioned trees can save up to 25% of a typical household’s energy use, according to the United States Department of Energy. Research what trees and plants are best for your local climate. Strategically placed deciduous trees allow for summer shade and passive solar heat gain in the winter when leaves have fallen, leading to energy savings in both seasons.

2 months ago | kentuckyliving.com | Wade Harris |Miranda Boutelle

Fireplaces can be more suited for ambiance than for creating heat. When you have a fire, warm air rises and draws the smoke out through the chimney. This also draws the warm air out of the house. The impact is even worse in drafty homes. But if you enjoy curling up in front of the fireplace during the colder months, here are some tips to efficiently operate a fireplace in your home.

Jan 14, 2025 | kentuckyliving.com | Wade Harris |Miranda Boutelle

A home energy audit may sound daunting, but it can be as easy as creating a checklist of improvements based on what you see around your home. Here’s what you’ll need to find opportunities to save energy and money: a flashlight, dust mask, tape measure and cooking thermometer. It’s a good idea to take notes on your phone or a notepad. For step-by-step instructions, visit www.energy.gov/save. First, check the heating and cooling equipment.

Dec 29, 2024 | tnmagazine.org | Miranda Boutelle

Q• How do I perform an energy audit on my home to find out how we’re using energy? A• An energy audit might sound daunting, but it can be as easy as creating a checklist of improvements based on what you see around your home. Here’s what you’ll need to find opportunities to save energy and money: a flashlight, dust mask, tape measure and cooking thermometer. I recommend taking notes on your phone or a notepad. First, check the heating and cooling equipment.

Dec 10, 2024 | kentuckyliving.com | Wade Harris |Miranda Boutelle

The holiday season leads to spending more time in the kitchen. Let’s start with cooking your meal. Your electric oven is typically the highest-wattage appliance in the kitchen. Using an average 3,000-watt oven costs 48 cents per hour, according to the United States Energy Information Administration. That means four hours for making a special meal costs less than $2 of electricity. While that may not seem like a big deal, operating your oven for four hours every day amounts to $700 a year.