Insulation works by decreasing the cooling or warming that is needed by providing a very effective resistance to the flowing of air and thus limiting its movement. Insulation is rated in thermal resistance, referred to as the R- value, this indicates the resistance to the flow of heat, the higher the R-value, then the greater its effectiveness in the insulation.



The R-value depends highly on the type of material, the density and also the thickness. Types of insulating materials include, low density foam, batt, blankets and also loose-fills. You must consider the price of the material for insulation, accessibility of the insulation location and the space that is available for the insulation. The place that are most commonly insulated in a house are; unfinished spaces, between the studs of your walls, ceiling, attics, basements and the roof.

Cooling and heating (space conditioning) accounts for about 50%-70% of the total energy used in an average home, 20% goes to heating water. Lighting appliances take up about 10%-30% of all the energy that is used in the house. Therefore it is advised that you put off all appliances that are using electricity if they are not in use.

Use energy saving lights for example fluorescent tubes. It has been made in such a manner that it produces the same amount of lighting as the normal light bulbs, but it consumes little voltage when compared to the normal light bulbs.

Since 20% of your electricity is taken up by water heating, you can cut down on costs and also improve the efficiency by insulating the water heater tank; this can be done by purchasing an insulating blanket. Always lower the temperature to 120 degrees or less for maximum efficiency, however the best way to conserve the energy consumption is to put the system off. During warmer times of the year it is recommended that you don't use the water heater, rather you should use cold water shower.

Have a professional check your air conditioner to make sure that it runs at its peak. Cleaning the air conditioner filters also makes it to function effectively; dirty filters and coils reduce the energy efficiency of the air conditioner. Always set the thermostat of the central conditioning system to 78 degrees or higher, this makes you cut on cost of cooling during summer by 5%-10%. Keep the outdoor unit of the air conditioner free from any distraction, for example plants or dirt. A good ventilation of the attic will lower the temperature this will reduce the cooling requirements inside your home. It has been noted that your cooling costs during summer can go high if your ventilation is poor.

There are energy efficient shower head, these shower heads minimizes the amount of water you use, and this is in comparison to the other shower heads. Repair leaking pipes to minimize water loss. In the kitchen and bathrooms, have a low-flow aerator attached to minimize water loss.

With the above in mind you will have all your appliances working efficiently and also you will cut on the cost.