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In order to save energy in the home, you need to understand where your energy usage is coming from. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the majority of home energy is consumed by the heating and cooling system, which takes up about 45%. This means you can save energy in the home by using high efficiency heating and cooling systems, sized correctly for your home. Other sources of home energy usage are the water heater (11%), washer and dryer (10%), other appliances like microwaves and ovens (15%), and of course lighting (7%).
Here are some tips on how to save energy in the home:
Home Tightness and Insulation
As recommended in the Your Home’s Energy section of this website, making sure your home is ‘tight’ (interior is sealed from outdoor elements) will help to save energy in the home. Energy efficient windows, proper insulation, controlled ventilation, and sealing leaks in the duct work are all important contributors when making sure your home is sealed and well-insulated.
Heating and Cooling Equipment
High efficiency heating and cooling equipment will help save energy in the home; however the system needs to be sized correctly. Your local contractor will determine the sizing. The system should run frequently to provide proper air circulation and consistent temperature. A common problem is having too large of a system, which will over heat or cool a home too quickly, which is inefficient.
A properly sized, energy efficient system is not the only consideration, however. A whole-house approach that combines proper system maintenance and upgrades, correct insulation, programmable thermostat, and proper air sealing, along with an energy efficient system will yield the best results for saving energy in the home.
Heating and Cooling System Maintenance
Whether or not you have a high efficiency system, regular maintenance will ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible. Have your local contractor inspect your heating and cooling system to make sure everything is running properly. This should be done at least once per year, ideally twice, once before winter and once before summer.
Appliances and Lighting
Appliances and lighting make up over 40% of your home’s energy usage, so upgrading them to more energy efficient models will make a big impact on your home’s energy savings. Look for the Energy Star® label on your appliances. Energy Star® is an energy saving program through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that qualifies products. You can also check your appliance’s estimated annual energy usage on the Energy Guide label (yellow and black) on freezers, dishwashers, refrigerators, water heaters, and clothes washers.
Energy Star(R) rates light fixtures and light bulbs as well. Just changing out the most used lights (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, etc.) into Energy Star® qualified products can help to save energy in the home.
Contact Your Local Contractor
There are many tips and techniques for saving energy in the home. The most effective are sealing the home and using proper heating and cooling equipment. Contact your local contractor to find out what you can do.