Conclusion

Compare and contrast, do analysis on the costs of heating/cooling using oil, natural gas, or electricity.

To keep you thinking along these tracks, consider a recent illustration in the New York Times, provided by BASF to illustrate how energy-efficiency can be brought ‘HOME’.



This is but one example of some of the things to consider, that you might not even have contemplated or considered. As you continue on your own personal journey, to evaluate, upgrade, improve and optimize your home, from an energy perspective and savings some hard-earned cash, putting it back in your pocket, lowering your utility bills, heating and cooling costs, we wish you luck and may different paths of success all help us to get the results we want!

In closing, here are some MORE simple actions you can take to reduce energy costs, improve comfort, and reduce air pollution in your home:


- Control indoor air pressure to help prevent a variety of comfort, safety and health problems.
- Eliminate the need for air leakage through your home's building envelope by using mechanical ventilation to supply as much fresh filtered air as you want.
- Insulate the walls and attic as much, or more than, recommended for your local climate.
- Seal air leaks in the building's envelope to block entry of microbes, allergens, toxins, irritants, insects, and cold drafts.
- These actions will make your home a safer shelter if an accident, or a terrorist, releases chemical, biological or radiological substances upwind of your home.
- Use a powered exhaust system on any device that burns fuel indoors.

For more information on zero-energy, energy independence, solar and geo-thermal options:

ORNLBuildings Technology Center
www.ornl.gov/btc

Building America
www.buildingamerica.gov


Appliances Energy Star
(888) 782-7937
www.energystar.gov


Windows Andersen Windows
(888) 888-7020
www.andersenwindows.com


Cool Roof ATAS International
(800) 468-1441
www.atas.com/dutchseam


Heating and Cooling Lennox Heat Pump HPX19
(800) 953-6669
www.lennox.com

American Geothermal (800) 776-8039
www.amgeo.com

Solar Electric System BP Solar
(866) 277-6527
www.bpsolar.com

Sharp multi-crystalline silicon modules
(800) 237-4277
www.solar.sharpusa.com

Xantrex/Trace Sun Tie inverter
(800) 670-0707
www.xantrex.com

Big Frog Mountain (equipment installers)
(877) 232-1580
www.bigfrogmountain.com


Walls and SIPs Insulspan
(517) 486-4844
www.insulspan.com

FischerSIPS (800) 792-7477
www.fischersips.com

Winter Panel
(802) 254-3435
www.winterpanel.com

Dow Styrofoam T-Mass System
(800) 232-2436
www.t-mass.com

DuPont Tyvek Envelope Weatherization
(800) 448-9835
www.tyvek.com

Water Heating
ECR International WatterSaver
(800) 228-9364
www.ecrinternational.com/
prod_wattersaver.asp

If you are in the market for a new home or just moving into an older one, renovating or inspecting your conventional home, regardless of design or age, check for energy efficiencies like:

- Check for and ensure sealed ductwork
- Condition of the roof
- Effective insulation
- Ensure that exterior and interior of the house are without gaps or cracks, holes and crevices
- High-efficiency heating and cooling equipment
- High-performance windows (such as low-E (low emissive) windows)
- Tight construction and outer shell, firm robust, strong and durable structure

As a proud home-owner, do everything in your power to optimize what the market has to offer you, that can assist you in these processes and undertakings to save money and energy, make your home more efficient.

Empower, enable and educate yourself regarding, understanding issues related to energy-efficient housing, issues, concerns, actions, products and pre-cautions to take that will help lower costs, cut utility bills, consumption and waste.
Take your time to explore energy-efficient housing in all its intricacies and complexities and see how you can find practical solutions to some of the challenges and realities, opportunities, obstacles, promise and potential YOUR OWN home and family has to offer, on both smaller and larger scales.

For a home to be deemed ENERGY EFFICIENT use criteria like construction, heating and cooling with reduced energy optimized in mind, for both conventional and traditional, older homes, and newer building wonders and architecturally sound, even zero-energy homes.

You can benefit and take advantages on numerous fronts by making some of these changes, considering some of these options, finding solutions that work for you, your home and your budget. Benefits like cost, comfort, ecology, fuel conservation, and climatic conditions, contribution to the environment and future generations all figure into these decisions (consciously or sub-consciously!)

Sources of energy and fuels and their potential usefulness, applications and contributions to your overall goal of lowering cost, being more energy efficient homes, consider natural gas, propane, gas, electricity, hot water, fossil fuels, wood and coal, even alternative fuel sources like hydroelectric power, solar power, geothermal energy.

Find some great ways to address the biggest guzzler of energy – heating and cooling of your home and running appliances:

Homes can be heated conventionally using:

- Natural gas
- Electricity
- Wood

OR unconventional heat sources using:

- Solar
- Ground heat
- Ground water
- Wind generation
- Straw
- Heat pumps

** Note: economic and environmental costs have to be considered in these cases

Here are some more checklist items for you to use and consider as you ‘evaluate’ or inspect your home for energy efficiencies:

- Window shutters
- Use of sunrooms or skylights
- Type of glass used in windows and patio doors
- Thermostat control
- Style of furnace and fireplaces
- Storm windows
- Site orientation and landscaping, land and structure
- Shape of the home (square, L shape, T shape)
- Porches
- Number of levels in the house (main, top, basement)
- Location of largest windows
- Insulation (quality and amount)
- Frequently used rooms grouped together in the same part of the house
- Exposure or orientation of the house on the lot for wind control and exposure to sunlight
- Entry ways with storm doors
- Color of the roof and size of the roof
- Closets on the coldest side of the house
- Ceiling height
- Amount of roof overhang to west and south.
- Air lock

Always ask yourself how each factor that you consider can and will affect the EE (energy efficiency) of YOUR HOME.

You could also consider retrofitting your home for energy efficiency. Consider as priorities potentially:

- Weather stripping
- Ventilation
- Vapor barrier
- The use of plastic, styro-foam, and tinfoil on windows
- Storm doors
- Programmable thermostats
- Low E windows
- Insulation
- Heat exchanger
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Caulking

Unplugged

You don’t need to buy new appliances to make a difference. Look around your home. Do you need all those appliances and electrical devices? Do they always need to be plugged in? Once you unplug various items, you may notice how little you actually use them.
Many electrical devices consumepower even when switched off, sometimes as much power as when turned on! A large number of electrical products - from air conditioners to VCRs — can’t be completely switched off without unplugging the device. These products draw power 24 hours a day, often without our knowledge. Plug these devices into power-bars, and turn them off when not in use. You can stop the electrical leak!

Washers and Dryers

Energy Star designated washers are a wise investmentfor several reasons: They clean clothes using 50 per cent less energy than standard machines; Full-sized Energy Star washers use 72-100 liters of water per load, while their standard counterparts use 160 liters; and Energy Star washers extract more water from clothes during spin cycles, reducing drying time and saving energy and wear-and-tear on your clothes.

Front-loading tumble washers, use an average 104 liters of water per load, while top-loaders use 160 liters. Front-loading machines also use a third less water, a third less heat energy and a third less detergent!
· Clothes washers are more efficient when operated with full loads.
· Wash clothes in cold water – yes, they will still get clean!
· Use environmentally safe detergents and whiteners that are kind to aquatic life and your clothes.

Clothes dryers don’t have Energy Guide labels on them because the energy efficiency of different models are essentially the same. But not all clothes dryers are created equally. Learn more about dryers.
Look for clothes dryers with moisture sensors that automatically stop drying when they sensea load is dry enough.

More efficient appliance tips:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_index
http://www.greenhome.com/learn/energy/Guide.shtml

To view the top-rated appliances for 2002-2003 visit: http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/mostenef.htm



For energy-smart tips on home lighting, visit:
http://homeenergy.org/hewebsite/consumerinfo/lighting/
http://homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/94/941116.html

Dishwashers

· Energy Star approved dishwashers use 25 per cent less energy than other new models! Here are some other energy-saving tips:
· Always run your dishwasher with a full load. Most of the energy used by a dishwasher is spent heating water, and since you can’t decrease the amount of water used per cycle, filling your machine is more effective than running half-loads.
· Use the air-dry option instead of the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features. If your dishwasher doesn’t have this option, prop the door open after the final rinsecycle to dry your dishes.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators use the most energy of any home appliance Here are some tips for efficient refrigerator use:

· Place refrigerators out of direct sunlight and away from the stove and other heat-producing appliances.
· Decide what features you really need and use. Through-the-door features like cold water or automatic ice dispensers can increase electricity usage by as much as 20 per cent compared to similar models without these extras.
· Buy an Energy Star approved refrigerator. A 2002 Energy Star refrigerator uses less than half the electricity of a standard 10-year-old model!
· If you buy a new refrigerator, unplug your old one. There is no energy efficiency in continuing to use your energy guzzler.
· Find cold storage spaces tostore fresh foods safely without using any electricity.

Here are some more trends and ways you can take advantage of some of the building and technology advances out there to deal with energy demands of liv

- Homes that
incorporate the best energy-efficient strategies and renewable-energy systems
- Homes that generate what they consume
- Homes getting way less electricity only when they need it from resources other than the solar panels *cloudy days/nighttime
- Home designs geared and customized to regional climates.
- Electricity produced by rooftop solar panels
- Currently more than one third of all our energy use is actually for heating/cooling our homes and for running appliances and electric devices
- Energy independence does not have to be expensive and for a select few – it is increasingly becoming within easy reach of every household budget
- Many states offer incentives for green building and renewable energy.
- Solar home developments are presently not limited to the East and West coast states anymore (where electricity use, demand and need is typically higher/highest!). They are also popping up in Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Texas
- There is a steady decline in the once costly price-tag for energy-efficiency and solar technology.
- Sensors that monitor electricity consumption, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and hot-water usage
- Data-collection for electricity flow from appliances such as refrigerators, air handler units, water heaters, compressors and inverters.
- Airtight envelopes
- Energy Star appliances
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs
- HVAC distribution systems
- Low-emissive windows
- Passive-solar principles
- 70 percent of windows on the south-facing side of a house
- Extended overhangs above the south-facing windows to block light (hot summer)
- Structural insulated panels
- Pre-cast concrete walls to keep houses cool in the summer months and warmer in the winter months
- Superior insulation value and are tightly joined, to form an airtight building envelope (for maximum energy efficiency). The houses all have a relatively simple ventilation system that maintains indoor air-quality to the high standards recently mandated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. These ventilation systems filter outside air into the houses throughout the day and condition
it in response to interior carbon dioxide, humidity and temperature measurements.

- Innovative roofing technology and heat reflection
- Measures to bring more natural light into your home
- Geothermal heating and cooling
- Market-ready solar home kit
- Best-tested features and appliances
- Whole home packages and upgrades
- Airtight construction, panelization
- Mechanical ventilation
- Dehumidification
- Utility meters, smart meters and monitoring equipment
- Energy-intensive chores in off-peak hours or optimal, cheapest time-periods
- Mindful of energy efficiency
- Prudent practice in everyday habits, changes necessary to see results and success in savings and energy consumption lowered
- CHANGE YOUR OWN CONSUMER AND FAMILY BEHAVIOR when it comes to electricity, energy use, consumption and waste

Our electrical appliances aren’t just connected to a socket on the wall - they're also connected to the natural world.

By choosing energy-efficient homes and appliances, we can help conserve nature and reduce our energy bills.

Dr. David Suzuki, Environmentalist


Knowledge is POWER! (Again pardon the pun!), most of our electricity is still coming from sources that are costly to operate and to the environment we live and thrive in.


- Burning fossil fuels
- Hydro-electric dams
- Nuclear power plants
- Air pollution
- Global warming
- Waste

These are added costs that we, our kids and future generations are having and will be coping with in years to come. Is it not time for us to rather do something more positive in how we spend our money, make our decisions about energy efficiencies?


We can all do our part, every day in our routines and homes to advocate, practice, promote and ensure energy-efficient cost-effective homes and habits. This is a role and calling for every homeowner.


Here are some more very PRACTICAL suggestions from online sources on what to do with regards to small changes in and around your home, to improve energy efficiency and capitalize on lowerutility bills and other cost savings:

Where to find help and more information on this particular options open to homeowners:

Produced cooperatively by
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Building Technology,
State and Community Programs
1000 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, DC 20585
1-800-363-3732
http://www.eren.doe.gov

Additional assistance provided by
Alliance to Save Energy
1200 18th Street, N.W., Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
1-202-857-0666
http://www.info@ase.org

Additional information available from
Federal Citizen Information Center
Pueblo, CO 81009
1-888-8-PUEBLO (1-888-878-3256)
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Distribution assistance provided by

Countrywide Home Branch Locator
http://branches.countrywide.com/default.asp

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.
CMD Secondary Markets/Product Deployment & Pricing Support
6400 Legacy Drive, PTX 66
Plano, TX 75024
(800) 669-6020
(972) 608-1602
http://www.countrywide.com

Additional information available from
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Insured Single Family Housing
451 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
Consult your local phone directory
http://www.hud.gov

Additional information available from
U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
1-800-827-1000
http://www.va.gov

There are lots of talk of even zero-energy homes these days, super-efficient solar homes and SMART homes with alternate technologies. Others upgrade and adapt existing conventional older and traditional homes, to address the task and step up to the plate of saving energy and money. Whichever camp you fall into, or fit onto this spectrum, there are numerous avenues and things for you to try yourself and using specialized services, to make your contribution count.


Trends indicate that there are many more stepping up in the general populace to pick alternatives for old methods, costly energy bills and other inefficiencies.

Here is a step-by-step plan to work and customize your own plan of action for energy and cost saving in and around YOUR OWN HOME

- Educate, enable and empower yourself by learning as much as you can about your house, energy, savings to be had and efficiencies. Continue your learning and on-going search for knowledge!
- IT IS UP TO YOU TO FIGURE OUT AND QUANTIFY how, when and why your home used, loses and wastes energy.

- Test, assess and audit your home, whether through a personal in-person, walk-about and around, survey, inspections or third party provider experts, niche services that can assist you in your efforts and improvements, strengths and weaknesses in your home. After ascertaining how much energy and dollars are being wasted, and where you need to apply your attention and resources where they will give you the biggest bang for your buck!

- If you baseline and measure, collect data, track and find evidence, you are more likely to be able to assess a monetary value, risk, damage and waste-figure to things, rather than vague ideas or speculation. This makes it much easier to actually go ahead and do something about it. You need to find the various sources of energy leakage, seepage or waste. This will help you find ways to cut your utility bills and not pay more than you should have to.

- Pick the best and most suitable solutions for your circumstance, problem, budget and urgency. Find out about viable, feasible and affordable options, actions and interventions that you can undertake to get the problems and issues resolved. Opt for solutions NOT just products and advertisement, look at functionality, effectiveness, price and testimonials from those who install and use, even benefit from them. This is a good barometer of value and efficiency, applicability for your situation and home, all in one easy clean-sweep.

- Air pressure and outer structure, integrity and air-flow throughout your house are very important. Weigh and assess both the interior and exterior of your house to determine the efficiencies and defects and act accordingly. Prioritize what has to be done and focus on current, future performance and improvement, gaps and repairs, maintenance priorities and what is most pressing FIRST.

- Energy efficient appliances and upgrade, new heating, ventilation and A/C might all go a long way to get your house better prepared for energy savings and efficiencies. Furnace, water heater or refrigerators might actually save you money in the long run if you replace them now. It will be worth the investment. Lots of utilities offer special programs, financing and rebates to make the easier on homeowners while encouraging the right type of behaviors and actions for responsible use, consumption and even conserving of energy and resources.

- Making the best use of electricity through thermostats, wireless controlled, programmable systems go a long way to effectively handle lighting and cooling or heating in your home. Dimmer and occupancy censors all contribute too, as do low-energy light-bulbs.

- Track the progress and performance of your home throughout. Stay on top of slippage or changes in usage, it might indicate a problem beginning or be a symptom of something more serious. Fresh airflow and ventilation for example are oftentimes overlooked.

- Credits, incentives and rebates for energy-efficient improvements are at your disposal too. Take full advantage of these and other such programs and initiatives in your local area.

- Regular and consistent check-ups and check-ins on your total home system and its separate parts. Annual maintenance, repair, cleaning are all part of pride of ownership, responsible home-owners pleasure and addressing issues sooner rather than later, will all serve your purpose and plan better.

- Ensure and protect that you home is at its optimal, providing ultimate comfort for you and your family, without waste or excessive costs to worry about.

- You could also consider a HERS (home energy rating system) report and EEM (Energy Efficiency Mortgage). This is a unique way to refinance your improvements, renovations or upgrades. The report will provide and overall score for your total home system make recommendations about what to do or consider, for cost-effective energy upgrades, and more…

- Estimates of the cost

- What annual savings you might be able to actualize

- Usefulness and life of upgrades (projected/estimated)
- It will show you the results and improve rating score if you follow the recommended upgrades suggested in the report
- It will also provide you with useful metrics before and after upgrades for comparison purposes

- The higher the score on these type reports the better and more energy efficient the home (the more likely you will be to get the financing in all likelihood)

- Pick the upgrades that will save you the most money in the short, medium and long term.

- Balance the value and reward with the cost; it should save you more than what it costs to put it into your home!



- Cost for these types of services and reports vary by provider, area and type of service. Ranges are between: $100 and $300.

Here is a checklist for your walk-about if you have not yet done so, to review or evaluate your house for energy efficient or defective occurrences an

- TAKING A HOLISTIC VIEW OF THEv WHOLE HOUSE or building “system”, its parts and components, areas and structure, its core, outer shell, affixtures, strong, in good repair, cost-effective
- All areas and aspects of the house, interior, exterior, roof, basement/foundation, windows, doors, walls, floors etc.
- Coverings and aesthetics, roof
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Appliances
- Fixtures
- Lighting
- Heating and cooling

Tougher building codes to encourage energy efficiency and savings are now increasingly making its way into the construction industry, but also older homes need attention.

``We will basically have to unlearn everything we've learned over the last 30 years and retrain virtually our (entire) industry workforce
to build houses to a higher energy-efficiency standard.''

Victor Hiume, president of the Ontario Home Builders Association
"Rising oil prices and higher heating bills
have caused consumers to search for meaningful ways
to reduce their home heating cost."

Michael Lotesto, president of Illinois-based Performance Exteriors


You can look at various options for your own home (depending on the applicability) YOURSELF or through a third party, expertise – go from the front door literally all the way through and around and check for:

- Blower door and duct – baseline, diagnostics and problem-areas
- Leaks and drafts, holes, cracks and crevices – visual inspections, tests and sealants, plug and repair
- Interior and exterior windows closed and in good condition, working order
- Caulking, rubberizing (where appropriate)
- No leaks on the roof or visible drafts, moisture, exposure or more
- Double-windows, in good condition, seals intact
- Storm-doors secure and functional
- Humidifiers, condensation
- Back-doors and patio doors closed properly
- Thermostat and Furnace check and even efficiency testing
- Carbon monoxide testing
- Ductwork
- No gas leaks (natural gas)
- Repair and maintenance
- Window sealing (indoor and out)
- Alternative heating sources (energy from natural gas, propane, paraffin, oil (lamps and heaters), coal, wood-burning fireplace, electric space heaters
- Thermal imaging or thermo-graphy to determine weak-spots or problem-areas
- Sources of restorable energy, batteries, chargers, panels, turbines, generators
- Insulation
- Lower use, energy efficient appliances and lighting sources in and around your house
- Solar panels and lights, low energy bulbs
- Sources and used of energy (list and shortlist, alternatives)
- Window coverings (blinds, curtains etc.), door-stoppers to keep drafts out
- Window well covers, window sealing kits (in-door use)

When people were recently asked about their homes and what they would most like to see in them, the responses might surprise you:

– SMART houses are gaining in popularity as people realize escalating costs, maintenance all add up through the years! Making wiser choices upfront at this point, will save lots of hassle and dollars later on goes the argument.

Other considerations included:

- Functional
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Cost-effective
- Well-built, sturdy and long-lasting
- Durable and strong
- Healthy
- Comfortable

With some of the options, supplies and products, services out there today, you can go a long way of getting all of the above, for a fraction of the cost of what it used to be!

Make how energy is used, utilized, consumed, wasted (or not!) a top priority in your home and you will start reaping the reward in more places than merely your pocketbook.

A crawlspace has to well-designed, in good condition and not contributing to any discomfort, added cost or energy waste

- Comfort
- Minimize uncomfortable drafts
- Block noise and fights moisture
- Watch out for un-insulated, leaky or poorly-installed crawlspace wall insulation
- Pipes will not freeze of well insulated and not exposed (especially in unheated areas)

Efficient clothes washers
Well insulated ducts
Leakage of heat into the attic, escaping through the roof
Melting snow and ice – forming dams and causing roof-leaks

Well-sealed ducts improve the flow and temperature of the air delivered to rooms and adds comfort year-round.

Other checklist items for you to pay close attention to as you go about thinking about conserving energy, cutting consumption, boosting efficiencies and saving money and resources, include:

- Boiler Pipe Insulation
- Efficient LPG-fired Water Heaters
- Efficient Oil-fired Water Heaters
- Electric Water Heaters
- Floor Insulation
- Gas Furnaces
- Gas Water Heater
- Heat Pumps
- LPG Furnaces
- Oil Furnaces
- Programmable Thermostats
- Refrigerators
- Replacing Your Electric Furnace and CAC with a Heat Pump
- Room Air Conditioners
- Sealing Home Air Leaks
- Upgraded Wall Insulation
- Windows

Your approach to making your homemore energy and cost efficient, should start with the right attitude and aptitude, knowledge, know how, what to look for, how to find and identify it and then act and do the RIGHT THINGS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!

In short… when you want to conserve and save energy and dollars as a home-owner, while making the home more efficient *especially if it is a much older home, renovated (recently or not), even new, still off-plan or in progress… YOU WANT TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS THAT COUNT AND MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

Here are some reality, process and progress checks for you to ask and answer to YOURSELF as you set out or continue on your efficiency quest for your home and hearth!

- You will have the desire and motivation
- A rough idea and concept of what to do
- Need and incentive (saving and conservation of energy and dollars, added efficiency and comfort)
- Ideas, recommendations of getting it into place, capitalizing and optimizing it to your advantage
- A PLAN TO GET IT DONE and sustain the savings!

A well-insulated ceiling

- Adds comfort
- Blocks outdoor noise
- Deals well with seasonaland extreme weather realities, threats and challenges
- Fire-safety contributions
- Helps minimize uncomfortable drafts
- Lowers the risk of frozen water pipes
- Reduces heat loss through structure
- Reduces moisture-related problems, issues and concerns, even damage (outdoor and indoor)
- Reduces the likelihood of ice forming in attics or "ice dams" on top of the roof – minimizes roof damage

- Remains comfortable longer during power outages

Efficient central air conditioners

may make all the differencein the world as well. Some states or provinces have programs where you can get a rebate for an old one when installing a more energy efficient A/C system into your home.

- Better control systems that improve the humidity and/or temperature control.
- Control mold and mildew
- Easier to maintain
- ENERGY STAR® label - outdoor condensing unit quieter.
- High-efficiency units
- More visually attractive
- Operate more quietly
- Properly sized for
- Reduce humidity
- Reduces energy consumption

You can make it a top priority of your very own to make your own, your community, family, friends, neighbors all pitch in to do their part in saving m

There cost and energy saving tips, secrets, recommendations and techniques, also result in adding home comfort, improve the air we breathe indoors, reduce damage caused by water, wind, snow and other extreme natural forces! Protects, secure, minimize damage, lower utility bills, and save energy. It is a worthwhile effort.

Try to approach your house as a whole FIRST and then area for area, in and out, room for room, all levels, from top to bottom, front-to-back, all sides.

Identifying the troublemakers, weak links and spots in the system that robs you of dollars and energy is at stake here. Be thorough, even use outside experts, diagnostics if you want to be sure!

Fix the problems at the source, do not treat the symptom – root-causes rectified will save you headaches and lots of money later on.
You can consult with home performance contractors or energy efficiency specialists to assist you with your task. There are also numerous DYI manuals, brochures and books by various suppliers and experts available to take you through what you need to do step-by-step to get your house in order and check so to speak.

Although your house is a complex system, there are lots of individual parts and components that can help/hinder your saving and energy efficiency efforts and attempts. You need to understand both parts and whole, individually and collectively to get things back in order and on track to not cost and arm and a leg, wasting money and energy in the process. Problems and issues also compound (especially in older homes), so you will be best served to act quickly and decisively regarding problems you might run into. Renovations might look nice, but they could be the source of problems for drafts or moisture, both energy eaters! Inspect all recent work and ensure that it is not contributing to higher energy consumption or waste.

- Air conditioners
- Air flow throughout the house
- Filters
- Furnaces
- Humidifiers
- Ventilation fans
- Washers, dryers, appliances, technology equipment and other such luxuries, without a second thought of heat, moisture and additional demands that the houses were never designed for and then wonder why there are problems.

You have to seriously take a look at the age, design and functioning of your home, your utilization of space, free, unrestricted airflow in your house, circulation, moisture, condensation etc. which could all contribute and/or be symptoms of deeper issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later, to make sure that you do not end up paying more than you have to, for utilities and/or repairs!

When it comes to electricity, you can cut your consumption, waste and cost, even make your own these days! Take a serious inventory and look at where, what, why and how much electricity you are using. Come up with a plan to conserve, consolidate, optimize and even cut consumption and waste, saving some money.





Here are examples of how different things in and around your home, some of your attentive TLC and inspections, choices and decisions, maintenance, repair and more can help you be cost, budget, savings and energy conscious – all at the same time.

When basement wall insulation done well, for example that is not so commonly known, as some of the measures already mentioned, it can save you money (and energy).

- A preventative measure
- Blocking outdoor noise sources.
- Buffers and shelters your home against high outside temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter
- Deals effectively with humidity or precipitation
- Energy cost savings
- Indoor sources of moisture (people, showers, cooking,) and their effects are mitigated
- Limit mold build up and/or moisture damage
- Lower the risk of frozen water pipes
- Minimize uncomfortable drafts
- More comfortable
- No moisture problems
- Protection against water pipe breakage
- Quieter
- Reduce moisture-related problems
- Surface temperature of walls will stay closer to the desired room temperature
- Walls are warmer to the touch in winter

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has

numerous great cost savings and energy tips for in and around your home (interior and exterior) that you can implement right away. Here are some highlights and ‘to do’ list(s) for the serious home-owner taking issue with saving energy and dollars, being and running a more responsible, conserving and efficient house, household and property all round.

No-cost/low-cost steps you can take to save energy

Water-heater temperature: Especially if you do have children in the house, turn the warmer setting down somewhat to the recommended 120 degrees F (safe and saves money!).

Cover water-beds as they will be insulated that way.

All major appliances have some energy settings (refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers) – utilize them.

Use compact fluorescents (CFLs) and low energy bulb replacements to cut down on electricity consumption and waste.

Upgrade old energy-guzzlers in your home (refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, furnace, A/C and others). Look for theenergy efficient symbols and endorsements.

Clean or replace furnace, air-conditioner, and heat-pump filters.

Water-heater blanket, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators to cut consumption and waste.

Seal, caulk and repair all leaks, holes and drafts (walls, doors, windows, floors, corners, cracks and crevices, garage, basement etc.)

Heating and cooling systems, duct work inspected, repaired and/or replaced as applicable.

Actually track and check your consumption/waste. You will or might be pleasantly surprised at what you will typically find. Go back 6 months to a year and look at your bills. Split them into what you pay for fuel/gas and electricity, utilities (water/sewage)
See where and when, why the most/highest bills/costs are and try to find ways to cut down, save and lower consumption during those times.
Check all insulation, also on hot water pipes and ducts, through unheated areas specifically.
Air-leaks and drafts, gaps around chimneys, recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.

Use your thermostat to turn temperature up/down a degree or two when it matters most (at night) to be more efficient and aware. Before you know it this will turn into second nature and some great new habits.

Educate and empower yourself, your kids, your family and friends. Spread the word about cost and energy savings, raise awareness, advocate and value the contribution(s) you are making, no matter how large or small you might deem them to be.

Here is the diagram for your use and review:

(Source link: http://www.waptac.org/si.asp?id=867 )

It is quite easy to see, that there are lots in and around your house, family, life and energy use that you can adjust, change or adapt to save some serious cash, monthly expenses, while doing your part as well to cut overall usage, waste, consumption and conserve and protect our environment for our children and future generations to come.


Regardless of whether you are motivated by the looming energy crisis and ever-increasing costs of energy or more personal reasons, convictions or incentive, achieving cost and energy efficient homes (aside from building new – not an option for all of us!), are small changes, adjustment, repairs and installations, maintenance and adaptability, to save dollars and energy effectively!

You can find ways to incorporate alternative energy sources and technologies in and around your home.

Here are some of the newer features custom-built into homes, optimizing cost-effectiveness of architectural designs. If you are renovating consider your options carefully, like skylights, new windows, roof etc.

- Design, open-plan, lots of windows and glass for better air circulation, natural light (less need and demand for light, electricity and energy).
- Sealed Double Glazed Glass windows with thermal insulation to keep drafts and chill out, cool in hotter climates and months.
- Insulation that will improve in-door living conditions, comfort and lower heating/cooling costs year-round.
- Sturdy and insulated walls, floors, moisture resistant,
- Low-maintenance quality roofing and solar options.

Without major renovation or new construction option open and available to you, there are other ways you can opt to weigh in and do your part.

Other boarded societal contributions and impact of these cost and energy efficiency measures might be:

- Improving the quality of life
- Making the local air quality better
- Avoiding harmful emissions of greenhouse gases
- Lessening demand and strain on system and service
- Reduces risk of fires – keeping things in good repair
- Decreases cases of homelessness

.. and much more!

Below is a summary image from the Department of Energy website to illustrate how you can play your part in conserving energy in the broader context. Next our attention will turn to you physical home dwelling and address. Why not start with a mental or virtual tour of your home, in your minds-eye (or physically walking around your house)! You might be surprised at the different opportunities you might find BEFORE even reading one sentence further. Make it a personal challenge and see what you can find in and around your home to do right now, without delay to start saving some money on energy costs, utility bills and make your home more efficient.