Home energy efficiency is one of the largest areas of energy efficiency, using about 1/5 of the energy yearly in the United States. Homes are a he waster of energy and if everyone concentrated on making their home more energy efficient than pollution would be reduced, fossil fuels saved and energy bills would go down.
There are many ways to practice home energy efficiency. You can do some simple things in your home to make it more energy efficient in general and then you can focus on the areas that use the most energy, like heating, cooling and appliances.
General home Energy Efficiency
Energy loss is a huge concern of home energy efficiency. Energy loss is energy that is not even used but rather lost on the way to the home. Energy loss occurs through cracks in windows and doors, and through poorly insulated walls. It can also occur form bad electrical wiring and improperly insulated pipes.
Weatherization involves finding energy leaks and fixing them. Many utility companies offer a free service where they will check this for you so you can get it fixed.
You may want to consider upgrading your windows to energy efficient windows. If you have bad window sills or even a badly fitted door, getting those fixed could be a big energy saver, too.
If replacement is not in your budget then you can still make your windows and doors more energy efficient by caulking cracks and holes. You can put plastic over leaking windows, too, in the winter to keep cold out and heat in.
Something many people do not consider is using landscaping to make your home more energy efficient. You can plant shrubs and bushes against your home to help keep wind out. You can also plant trees so they will eventually provide shade for your home.
Heating and Cooling Energy Efficiency
Heating and cooling is a major energy cost. One of the best ways to make your heating and cooling system more energy efficient is to buy energy efficient products. You should also make sure your system is well insulated so heat does not escape and turn into lost energy.
Simply keeping up on the maintenance replacing filters and getting leaks fixed can make your system more efficient.
Appliance Energy Efficiency
Just like heating and cooling, your appliances can be upgraded to energy efficient appliances. However, many people can not afford to replace all their homes appliances. You can start saving energy by unplugging appliances when not in use. Things like computers and televisions may use energy even when turned off.
Just take simple steps to not waste energy and to upgrade whenever possible to energy efficient products and you will be taking a good step towards home energy efficiency.
