Over the summer I pulled together a years worth of utility bills and created a spread sheet to track our household energy use. I wanted to understand our usage patterns and find ways to improve our energy efficiency to reduce spending on gas and electricity. I track both the cost and the Kilowatts or Therms used so we can see if we are making progress.
What are the best things we can do to trim energy bills?
These are the most common suggestions I have come across to reduce energy costs, in random order.
- Replace single pane, old or drafty windows
- Cover windows with plastic or heavy curtains
- Replace appliances with Energy Star rated appliances
- Add insulation
- Seal penetrations with foam insulation to disrupt airflow
- Ventilate the attic
- Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Use power strips to shut down associated appliances and computer equipment.
- Install programmable thermostats
- Raise or lower thermostat temperature according to time of day and the season
- Replace light bulbs with more energy efficient bulbs
- Replace outside lighting with solar lights
- Insulate water heater or upgrade water heater with more efficient insulated model
- Replace water heater with a tank less water heater
- Reduce heat to sections of the house. Use space heating to selectively heat areas.
- Upgrade heating system
You can't do everything. Many changes are complicated, costly or inter related. It is also difficult to predict if any measure will really produce the promised savings. You just have to take the steps that seem most logical and affordable for your household.
We have already replaced most of our windows, and several of our older appliances. We are adding insulation and ventilating the attic with solar fans. We've installed programmable thermostats and make adjustments based on our schedule and for each season. We may limit the heating in some rooms that are not frequently used. We have solar lights in the front of the house. We are always looking for products and renovations that improve our environment and make sense to us.
Today I came across a suggestion that seems like a good idea to me. Install pelmets over your windows. What is a Pelmut? Read the article at http://www.yourgreendream.com/articles_pelmets.php
Our tracking will tell us how we are doing as we work on trimming our energy bills.
We are experienced remodelers. Visit us at http://www.FitzCon.com/ and offer energy efficient home improvement products on our website http://www.ComfortAndSavings.com/
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment