Contents
1 Save Energy and Money Today
2 Your Home’s Energy Use
4 Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks
10 Heating and Cooling
16 Water Heating
18 Windows
Save Energy and Money Today
Tips to Save Energy Today
• Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably
high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is
compatible with your heating system.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power
strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs
and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances and products.
ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Your Home’s Energy Use
The first step to taking a whole house energy efficiency approach
is to find out which parts of your house use the most energy. A home
energy audit will pinpoint those areas and suggest the most effective
measures for cutting your energy costs. You can conduct a simple
home energy audit yourself, you can contact your local utility, or
you can call an independent energy auditor for a more comprehensive
examination. For more information about home energy audits,
including free tools and calculators, visit www.energysavers.gov or
www.natresnet.org/resources/
Energy Auditing Tips
• Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls,
ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces. Visit www.energysavers.gov for
instructions on checking your insulation levels.
• Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows,
doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that
can leak air into or out of your hom