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[H499]Home Energy Saving Tips

by Andrew Wroblewski, And

Looking to save on your electricity bill, or just concerned about power use in light of environmental issues? Heating and cooling our homes is one of our biggest energy sinks, along with inefficient vehicles. By taking a few steps, you can reduce the amount of electricity you need to keep your home comfortable. You'll save money, and be able to feel better about your impact on the environment.

The first step is making sure that your house is well insulated. Seal gaps around windows and doors, check your insulation, and repair any malfunctioning storm windows. Also, be certain to check the attic for drafts. You'll save a lot more on heating if the cold can't get in! A good way to check for leaks is to light a stick of incense or a candle, and hold it near windows and doors. Watch the flame or smoke and see if it's affected by a draft. You can then caulk or weather strip any leaks you find.

Set your thermostat a little higher in summer and a little lower in winter. Most of us do not notice a five degree difference, but your electricity bill will. Five degrees can decrease your energy usage enough to save ten percent on heating and cooling.

Efficiency is important when it comes to your air conditioner and heater. Whether you have a furnace or electric heat, having it checked for efficiency and keeping the filters clean can make a big difference in your energy use. Many furnaces operate around 80% efficiency when new, but can drop as low as 40% if not maintained. The same goes for air conditioners. Keep window units clean and check for coolant leaks, and have central air conditioning maintained each year.

Use fans to circulate air. In conjunction with setting your thermostat a little higher, this will allow you to stay cool in the summer without paying a lot on your electric bill.

Install a programmable, Energy Star rated thermostat, and be sure it's away from hot and cold areas in the house. Your thermostat should measure the average temperature in your home. Having an Energy Star thermostat could save you around a hundred dollars on energy bills per year.

If you have a fireplace, use it only for special occasions. Fireplaces are very inefficient, and you may actually lose more heat up the chimney than your fire provides. Install a fireplace insert to reduce heat loss, and be sure to close off your fireplace to keep warmth from blowing up the chimney when you do not have a fire going.

If your furnace is more than fifteen years old, consider replacing it with a new one. Technology has brought us much more efficient heating options that pay for themselves quickly through the savings they bring.

Consider a heat pump. When it's not quite cold enough for the heater, and not quite warm enough for the air conditioner, but the house isn't comfortable, a heat pump can adjust the temperature without the expense of running the heating or cooling systems.

With all the home energy saving tips and conservation ideas available today, some homeowners and renters alike may not know what area of their home to address first. Consider this, according to the U.S Department of Energy your home windows are single handedly responsible for up to 25% of the total amount of wasted or lost energy.

Windows provide much visible and decorative appeal. However windows are heat loss and heat gains best friend. Just consider how much better insulated the interior of your home would be without any windows, just walls. No need to permanently seal your windows. After all windows provide many other needed things aside from just a view, like ventilation, natural lighting and even free solar heat during the winter months.

Fortunately there are several more sensible approaches to reducing heat gain and heat loss at the window. Here are 7 no cost and low cost home energy saving tips and conservation ideas that will significantly insulate your windows, reducing costly heat loss and heat gain.

7 Home Energy Saving Tips To Insulate Your Windows

Inspect the caulk around all of your windows. If you can identify cracks, even small cracks, then reapply caulk to seal them. Cracks are a clear indication of moisture build up and moisture build up indicates air leakage. This should be preformed at least twice a year.
Take a look at the weather stripping around your windows. While you're at it check your front, back and patio doors too. This is often over looked; weather stripping should be reapplied at least every other year, especially on windows and doors that are in high traffic areas.
During the summer and spring months, consider making the habit of closing window coverings (curtains, drapes) on south and west facing windows during the peak sun light hours of the day. Your windows facing south and west are exposed to direct sunlight several hours longer than your windows facing north and east. This will reduce unwanted solar heat from penetrating your home and give your cooling system a break.
Consider decorating your windows with light colored curtains, shades and drapes during the summer and spring months. White and light shaded curtains naturally and effortlessly reflect unwanted heat away from the inside of a home.
During the winter and fall months, get into the habit of opening window coverings on south and west facing windows during the daytime, especially south facing windows. This will allow the suns natural heat to penetrate your home and give your heating system a much deserved break.
Always keep your window coverings closed at night during the winter and fall months. And if your decorative taste permits, use tight fitting window treatments on all windows during the heating season to enhance insulation.
Consider using an array of . There are several year round window coverings such as cellular shades and some exterior treatments that can reduce heat gain by as much as 86% and heat loss by as much as 80%.

Some of these energy saving tips and conservation ideas are completely cost free measures. Some of these tips call for relatively inexpensive up front costs. Feel free to adopt the measures you see fit for your home.

It's important to note that there are several other that will make your home more energy efficient.

Ibrahim Saeed,

Article Source : Refinance Home Improvement Loan

About Author

Both Andrew Wroblewski & Ibrahim are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Andrew Wroblewski has sinced written about articles on various topics from Advertising Guide, Kitchen Home Improvement and Family. Find out how to earn an income by teaching others how to inform people about reducing their utility bills at: and. Andrew Wroblewski's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.

Ibrahim has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Improvement, Legal Matters. . Ibrahim's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.