Tips
- Use energy-efficient home appliances
- Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol when shopping for appliances. Appliances with ENERGY STAR labels use less energy compared to models without this energy-efficient rating. Take a look at the EnergyGuide label to review the appliance's estimated energy consumption compared to similar models and the estimated annual operating costs. For more information about the government's ENERGY STAR program, visit www.energystar.gov.
- Manage your energy usage
- Install a programmable thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home and to manage usage during the winter and summer months.
- Use motion lights
- Install motion-detection lights for outdoor use to eliminate the need for leaving the lights on throughout night.
- Practice daylighting
- Use windows and skylights to bring natural light into your home and help reduce the need for artificial light.
- Manage usage with power strips
- Stand-by and sleep modes waste power. Use power strips to completely disconnect power to your home office equipment and other electronics when they aren't in use.
- Improve your home's ventilation
- It's important to maintain proper ventilation throughout your home. You can maintain an energy-efficient and healthy environment within your home by following these ventilation tips.
- Insulate and seal your home
- Check out www.energystar.gov/homesealing for insulation and air sealing tips from the government, including a Do-It-Yourself Guide. Proper insulation will help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Shop smart when purchasing electronics
- Look for the ENERGY STAR label on consumer electronic products when you shop. Doing this will help you buy an energy-efficient product with the quality and performance you want.
- Install energy-efficient windows but shop carefully
- Windows have a very long payback in terms of energy savings. Insulation and air sealing are typically much better investments. If buying windows, look for the right type of window for our climate to get the most energy savings and pocket book savings. Keep in mind that the lower the U-factor the better the insulation, which is great for cold climates. Low solar heat gain coefficients (SHGCs) reduce heat gain; look for low SHGC ratings for warmer climates. In areas with heating and cooling seasons, look for low U-factors and low SHGC ratings.
- Switch to a laptop computer
- The next time you buy a new computer, consider going with a laptop. In general, laptops usually consume much less energy compared to desktop computers.
- Install lighting control
- Conserve energy and live a greener lifestyle by installing dimmers or an automated lighting control system in your home.
- Protect your water pipes
- Insulate your water pipes and reduce energy loss; proper insulation will protect your pipes from freezing in the cold months and from sweating and causing potential mold growth in the warm months.
- Insulate your attic and air seal common leaks between the attic and the house
- Your attic can be a large source of drafts and leaks, and it requires proper insulation to keep your home environment comfortable and energy-efficient.
- Install an energy-efficient ceiling fan for year-round use
- Reduce energy usage and circulate warm air or a cool breeze as needed using the appropriate settings on an energy-efficient ceiling fan. Remember to turn off the ceiling fan in an unoccupied room.
- Replace aging appliances
- Do you have older, energy consuming appliances in your home? If so, consider investing in ENERGY STAR rated appliances. Energy-efficient appliances are a good investment in the long run, reducing your energy consumption and carbon emissions.
- Focus light where you need it
- Install track lighting above desks or work areas and use smaller task lights where they are needed, which will allow you to turn off whole room ceiling lights and reduce energy consumption.
- Is it time to replace your aging furnace or boiler?
- Hire a qualified contractor to evaluate your current system and ask them to recommend some cost-saving solutions or tap into their expertise to help you choose a new energy-efficient system that is right for your home.
Facts
- The greenhouse effect is a common term used to describe the heating effect of the Earth's atmosphere caused by the trapping of long wave (length) radiation by greenhouse gases.
- Solar energy is a renewable resource because it is continuously supplied to the earth by the sun. Photovoltaic and solar-thermal technologies are two ways to convert solar energy into electricity.†
- Carbon dioxide is the key greenhouse gas responsible for global warming concerns. The overwhelming share of U.S. and world carbon emissions comes from burning fossil fuels, our main sources of energy.†
- Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.*
- Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions account for 98% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.‡
Facts sourced from [*] the U.S. Department of Energy (EERE); [<86>] the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including ENERGY STAR; and [<87>] the Environmental Information Administration (EIA).