Energy Efficient Solar Power Energy Generation Guide
Energy Efficient Heating And Cooling Systems
By Gerard J Howson
In 2008, the average American household spent $5,500
on energy costs, including home expenses and gasoline.
However, the potential for savings is incredible when
homeowners choose to become more energy efficient.
For instance, a programmable thermostat could save
up to $150/year on energy costs and proper insulation
and air sealing can save 20%. Energy Star furnaces use
15% less energy than conventional furnaces.
Replacing old items with new energy efficient appliances
and equipment can save homeowners 30% on their bills
too, which adds up to at least $600. For more information
about these figures, you can visit www.energyhog.org
or continue reading about how you can review your options
and save money on energy.
Focus On Improving Insulation, Air Sealing And Thermostat Settings
Heating and cooling systems are the most important
consideration if your goal is to become more efficient
in your use of energy. Americans emit 150 million tons
of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year just
heating and cooling their homes.
Although there are several different types of fuels
to heat our houses, more than 50% of us use natural
gas. By focusing on improving insulation, air sealing
and thermostat settings, the U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy agency says we can reduce our environmental
emissions by 20-50%. Ideally, homeowners will set their
thermostat as low as possible in the winter and as high
as possible in the summer.
Tips To Reduce Your Energy Bills
They will replace air filters on furnaces once a month,
clean air registers or radiators, bleed trapped air
from hot-water radiators once a season, turn fans off
within 20 minutes after using them, keep drapes open
during the winter, keep windows covered during the summer
and purchase Energy Star furnaces and cooling units.
Energy efficient windows make a big difference in the
quest to be more energy efficient. Not only do windows
provide homes with light, warmth and ventilation, but
they can also waste huge amounts of money if care is
not taken.
Brand New Energy Star Windows
Choosing brand new Energy Star windows will secure
homeowners a federal tax credit up to $1,500. However,
old windows can also be reinforced by adding storm windows
(to reduce heat transfer/air leakage), caulking and
weather-stripping and using window treatments or coverings
(to reduce heat loss/gain).
Energy saving lightbulbs can reduce lighting energy
usage by 50-75%. Fluorescent and halogen energy efficient
lighting is ideal for most homes. An Energy Star certified
compact fluorescent lightbulb will save $30 over its
lifetime and pay for itself in six months, while using
75% less energy and lasting 10 times longer.
If you plan to leave the room for more than 15 minutes,
it’s economical to turn the lights off. Dimmers, motion
sensors, remote control light switches and programmable
timers are all energy efficient alternatives for the
home.
About the Author:
Gerard J Howson has written a number of articles on Energy Efficient Appliances, Saving Energy,
Solar Power, Renewable Energy including
Energy Efficient Home,
Energy Savings,
Save Energy In Your Home,
Smart Homes,
Green Building,
Solar Technology,
Solar Hot Water,
Solar Electric.
Gerard is working on more articles. Look out for new articles as they become available on this site.
Little Known Energy Efficient Home Devices Facts.....
No one likes paying a high energy bill. You keep your
house slightly cool in the winter and slightly warm
in the summer to reduce the use of the air conditioner
and heater. You turn off lights when you do not need
them.
But you could be doing more. What about changing over
to energy efficient home devices? They make low flow
toilets, washers that use a fraction of the water older
models do and you can even install solar panels to help
generate your own electricity.
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