Advanced Energy Savings Tips
Want to do more to save energy at home? Consider implementing these
advanced energy savings tips.
Assessing Home Energy Use
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Home energy assessments (also called energy audits) can tell you
how your home is performing, where there are inefficiencies and
opportunities to save energy and money on your monthly utility
bills. You can conduct a home energy assessment yourself using tips
here or you can hire a professional. Tips for hiring a
contractor.
Appliances and Electronics
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When shopping for new appliances and electronics, remember that
they have two price tags — the purchase price and the lifetime
operating cost. If yellow energy guide labels are available,
compare energy efficiency information. Look for Energy Star-rated
models to help keep operating costs down long-term.
Insulation and Air Leaks
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Install weatherstripping around windows and doors to seal air
leaks and reduce drafts. Also, seal around electrical, cable and
piping openings from the outside. You can seal the leaks yourself
or hire a certified professional. Tips for hiring a
contractor.
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Poorly insulated attics and basements can send the energy you paid
for out of your house. Make sure they are properly insulated to
save energy and money.
Learn more.
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Drafts and energy leaks from your windows can increase your heating
and cooling bills. To save on costs and improve your home's
comfort, consider replacing single-pane windows
with double-pane ones containing high-performance glass.
Heating/Cooling and Water
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Consider installing ceiling fans. Depending on the setting, fans
can push cool or warm air down to make you more comfortable without
raising or lowering the heat or air conditioning. Fans should spin
clockwise in the winter and counterclockwise in the summer. For
most fans, you can easily change the setting with a switch in the
center of the fan on the motor cover. Remember to turn fans off
when leaving rooms.
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If your central air-conditioning unit is more than 12 years old,
replacing it with an Energy Star-rated unit may cut cooling costs
up to 30 percent.
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If you have an electric water heater, you can insulate the water
heater pipes so that the heat produced isn’t wasted. See
instructions here. However, if you heater is gas or oil, you
should hire a qualified plumbing and heating contractor.
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