Learn About Home Energy Efficiency

Did you know that...

According to ENERGY STAR:

• Excess air leakage in your home can increase heating and cooling bills by 30 percent?
• Even with the recommended R-values, gaps and fallen or sagging areas of insulation can cut the energy saving potential of insulation by over 25 percent?
• Every degree you can comfortably dial down your thermostat will save 2 to 5 percent on your heating bill?

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What you can do to make your home more energy efficient

1. Install a programmable thermostat. Set the temperature lower in the winter and higher in the summer for those hours you are normally away from home or while you are sleeping.

You can save 2% or more for each degree of setback.

2. Use Compact Fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) instead of incandescent light bulbs. This will be particularly effective in areas where the lights are on for hours at a time.

CFLs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.
CFLs use about one-fourth the energy as incandescent light bulbs do.
CFLs produce more light per watt, while producing 90% less heat, than incandescent light bulbs do.
Note that CFLs should be properly disposed of when they burn out, or if they should break. Refer to this FAQ on CFLs from ENERGY STAR.

3. Have a professional Home Energy Audit done on your home. This will identify air leakage sites which allow as much air into the house as if you have left a small window open year round.

4. Seal air leaks. Pay particular attention to the attic and attic access, doors and windows, and penetrations of exterior walls for electrical, plumbing, vents, cable TV and phone lines.

5. Have the ducts tested and sealed or insulated as required. This is the one of the most effective ways to improve your home's energy efficiency - and one of the least expensive.

6. Increase insulation to or above current recommended R-values. Pay particular attention to the attic and ceiling.

7. Have your furnace serviced once a year. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a new, high-efficiency unit.

By sealing air leaks and properly insulating, your home will require a smaller high efficiency furnace - saving you money on the initial purchase as well as the ongoing costs to operate.

8. Replace your hot water heater with a new, high-efficiency unit if your hot water heater is more than 15 years old.

Manage the use of hot water with low-flow shower heads.
Reduce the waste of hot water by fixing leaky faucets.

9. Replace windows with broken air seals. High-efficiency windows will pay for themselves over several years and then continue to save you money on your energy bills.

Highly insulating windows also reduce ultraviolet fading of furnishings and cut down on exterior noise.

10. Purchase ENERGY STAR rated appliances. Energy-efficient products often have a little higher initial purchase price, but will result in utility bill savings for years to come.

11. Include energy efficiency improvements in any remodeling project. This is a highly cost effective way to reduce your utility bills, make your home more comfortable and liveable, and reduce harm to the environment.

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