Ways to Save Your Home Thermal Energy
One of the biggest uses of home energy is the way we use heat. A huge expense is due to a heating bill. But, there are a few improvements that homeowners can do to save on their heating bill and in most cases; it does not mean you have to shell out a lot of money.
In a sentence that involves the word “improvements” and “house”, most people start to panic. While some home improvements do cost money, there are steps you can take that will not break your budget to improve on the way that your home uses energy. One of the biggest ways that a home misuses energy is through escaping heat. Many homes suffer from drafts which let cold air in during the winter making it harder for you to heat your house. Twenty percent of a homes heat can escape through drafts. An easy solution to saving home energy here is to do some detective work and find out where those drafts are coming from. Hold you hand up around the edges of your doors and windows to find where the drafts are coming from. If you feel cold air on your hand, you have a draft. Once you have found the draft there are several ways to seal it depending on where the draft sis coming from. Use draft excluders around exterior or interior doors. You can fill in any cracks or crevices on window frames, floors or floor boards with a filler or sealant. Open curtains or blinds to let the heat of the sun in and close them after night fall to trap in warm air.
A very simple way to save on you heating bill is to turn down your thermostat. By turning your thermostat down even by one degree, you can reduce you consumption of energy by over 5 percent. Plus, with the difference of one degree, you won’t even notice the temperature difference. You can also save on your heating bill by not heating rooms you are not using. While 2 zone heating is an investment if you home is not set up for it already, it will make a difference. If all your bedrooms are upstairs and the floor is controlled by its own thermostat, you can save on your energy consumption if you turn the thermostat down on the other floor that you are not using while you sleep.
The most cost efficient way to save energy is to make sure that your home is properly insulated. Up to one third of your heating can escapes through the roof of your home. Check out your roof a few days after it snows. Is it starting to melt faster then snow on your neighbor’s roofs? This is an easy way to see if heat is escaping from your roof and melting the snow. There are many types of insulation products available today that work extremely well and will not break the bank. You might also want to invest in cavity wall insulation to prevent another third of your heat from escaping. These simple cost efficient solutions will improve the way that your home uses heat and will save you a ton of money on your heating bill in the long run.
Using an Energy Saving Candle Bulb
In this day in age where the environmental changes are on so many people’s minds, the lighting industry has met the demands of consumers by offering energy saving light bulbs. These light bulbs have saved consumers money on their electric bills and changed the way we “see light”.
Low energy light bulbs and lamps can save a homeowner about eighty percent on the electricity bills then when they were using a standard light bulb. They use a fifth to a quarter of the electricity compared to a standard light bulb. Plus, energy saving light bulbs produces the same amount of light as standard light bulbs. But that is not where the benefits of using an energy saving light bulb stops. Energy saving light bulbs last ten times longer then standard light bulbs saving the homeowner money in replacing light bulbs over time. Energy saving light bulbs emits a cool temperature due to the low wattage of electricity. With a lower heat output then standard light bulbs, energy saving light bulbs are perfect for enclosed fittings or spaces and they are ideal to used close to a delicate lampshade. They also offer homeowners a white light rather then a yellowish light that can be seen with a standard light bulb.
While there are many different kinds of energy saving light bulbs, there are many benefits to using energy saving candle bulbs in particular in your home. Many people have replaced sing real candles with energy saving candle light bulbs. Like other energy saving light bulbs, they carry the same benefits. They are cool to the touch replacing the risk that real candles offer. Often times, using real candles are dangerous to use in certain situations for fear of a pet or a child knocking them over. Candle light offers a room a formal and romantic feeling. They create a wonderful environment and atmosphere. Energy saving candle light bulbs can also emit a flickering just like real candles. In many instances candle have already been replace with candle light bulbs. Once candles were used on chandeliers and Christmas trees but they have long been replaced with candle light bulbs.
Using energy saving candle light bulbs also replace the fumes emitted when burning real candles. Although it is in small amounts, burning candles do produce a form of air pollution. The price of candle bulbs also out weights the cost of real candles. Some candle will only burn for a few hours then they are too small for the wick to keep a flame. Just like other energy saving light bulbs, candle light bulbs can be used for thousands of hours. Wall sconces are given a new kind of romantic feeling when one makes the choice to use candle light bulbs.
It is easy to make the switch to energy saving candle light bulbs. With that switch comes one more step to making your home more energy efficient. By making that switch you are also making the choice to stop the old environmentally harmful ways of the past. We all need to pitch in and do our part to reduce pollution and get out planet on the road to recovery.
Saving Energy by Improving Homes Exteriors
When the weather is warm we spend time in our yards mowing the lawns, trimming the bushes, planting flowers. We all have a desire to want the exterior of our homes look nice. While this is a worthy cause, are we putting as much diligence into making the exterior of our homes cost efficient? We work hard to keep a roof over our heads so why throw money away by allowing heat to escape?
The majority of the home’s heat escapes through drafts. Filling these drafts will save on the heating bill over time. Do a walkthrough around the exterior of you home to find out what needs to be improved. First you should inspect all the areas where two different building materials meet like where the siding meets the chimney and where the foundation meets the exterior brick or siding. Inspect all exterior corners as well. You will need to fill any cracks or holes in the mortar, the foundation or the siding. Make sure to fill them with the appropriate material. If you are going to do a job, do it right. Plus, it will last longer if it is done the right way with the right material. You will also need to inspect where faucets or pipes extend from the exterior. Make sure there are no holes around them as well. In your exterior inspection, do not leave out the windows and doors. Make sure that they are all properly caulked and that windows and doors seal tightly. Some people have air conditioners mounted directly into the wall rather then in a window during the summer months. While this may save on time of installing and un-installing the air conditioner every year, it is also a great way to let in drafts during the winter months. Make sure that the area around the air conditioner is properly sealed. If you don’t have one already, invest in a cover that can be placed over the unit in the winter. This will stop the unwanted cold air from getting inside your home.
Also, make sure that your home is properly insulated. This will save you a ton of money. Specifically check the attic. Make sure that there is a vapor barrier under the attic insulation. Water vapor can pass through the ceiling. With large amounts of moisture, the effectiveness of your insulation goes down and could cause structural damage. In order to prevent this, you should have a vapor barrier which could be tarpaper, Kraft paper attached to fiberglass batts, a plastic sheet or vapor barrier paint. Also make sure that any gaps in around the pipes, ductwork or chimney is properly sealed.
If you have the funds, you might want to consider replacing old doors or windows with new energy efficient ones. While this is an improvement that will dip into your pocket, it will also save you money on heating. With the price of home heating, making sure that the exterior of your home is properly sealed is almost a necessity.
Save on Home Energy Information
If you are not environmentally concerned, you should want to save on your home’s energy because you want to save money. Every home uses the same type of energy in the same way but, some people have found the secret to using less energy.
Some of the home’s energy is consumed by heating your home. Keep your thermostat at a constant heat. Rather then turning up the heat when you are cold, put on a sweater or place another blanket on the bed. This solution is better then wasting money on heat. You should also have your furnace checked yearly. An improperly maintained furnace is not going to heat your home efficiently. Make sure that all windows and doors are properly sealed to ward off drafts. An easy way to check for drafts is to hold and incense stick up to the edges of your windows and doors. If the smoke is blown back, you know you have located a draft. You can also moisten your hand with water and try to feel the cool air on your hand when you hold it up to your windows and doors. You should also make sure that around electrical outlets, switch plates, baseboards, fireplace dampers, attic hatches, and wall-mounted air conditioners are free from drafts. Make sure that there are no gaps around pipes, wires or mail slots that will allow heat to escape as well. Saving money on your home heating bill is vital in this day in age and by taking simple steps, we can create a home that uses energy efficiently.
Another large source of a home’s energy is expended through electricity. Energy for lighting makes up about ten percent of your electric bill. You should make sure that the wattage sizes of your light bulbs are appropriate for the area. Do not use a 100 watt bulb where only a 60 or 75 watt bulb is needed. You should also consider changing all of your light bulbs with energy efficient ones. These types of light bubs not only last longer then regular light bulbs, they use less wattage keeping your electricity bill low while giving off the same amount of light. They are also cooler to the touch due to the lower wattage. Therefore you are able to use energy efficient light bulbs in a more confined space. You can also save on electricity by altering the way you use your appliances or electronics. Make sure that electronics are placed in the off position rather then stand by when you are not using them for a long period of time. You can also unplug appliance when not in use to prevent the unwanted use of electricity. Try opening the windows to allow sunlight to penetrate the room rather then turning on the lights during the day.
There are so many solutions that homeowners can take to reduce the way that their home uses energy. Sometimes the solutions are as simple as not leaving the refrigerator door open for too long to more complicated solutions like investing in an energy efficient heating system or solar panels. All homeowners should be aware of the way that they use energy and make adjustments where needed. If everyone did their part, we can make a real change in the world.
Improving Your Home with a Solar Energy System
As home owners look to reduce their monthly bills and improve their homes to be environmentally friendly, they are turning to solar energy for their homes. A solar energy system is a frequently used alternative to electricity. Once a futuristic idea, solar energy systems are now within everyone’s reach and readily available.
Solar panels convert light into electricity. Solar cells absorb the sun’s energy which is the most powerful source of light on the planet. These systems are also sometimes called photovoltaic or PV systems. The simplest forms of these solar or PV systems are found in items we may use everyday like in some calculators or certain types of wrist watches. It is the more complicated systems that are not only used to power one’s home but can also be used for pumping water or for powering communications equipment. Solar cells are connected together into modules or panels. They are the structures that you see on the roof of homes or businesses. PV cells are made up of semi-conductors typically made of silicon. These semiconductors absorb power when they are struck by the light of the sun and convert it into electricity.
The cost of a solar system depends on the size of your home and your electrical needs. A
Although the costs of solar systems have come down about 80 percent over the past two decades, the system can still cost around $20,000 -$40,000 for a medium-size house. Luckily, many state and local governments offer incentives in the form of rebates and federal tax credits that will reduce the initial investment dramatically. Plus, over the long run, it is quite feasible to think that while using a solar energy system you might never again have to pay an electric bill. In fact many home owners using solar power are taking advantage of something called “net metering”. Net metering gives the home owner the ability to sell back to the utility any excess electricity produced by their solar panels that is not used by them. This in turn is really making your home work for you.
Solar power can also be used to power homes that desire to not have to rely on the electric grid for power at all. It can cost on the average of $20,000 to $80,000 per mile to extend electric power lines from the electric grid. Obviously a solar energy system would be an incredible savings. IN fact remote countries are increasingly installing solar energy systems rather then running power lines.
If a homeowner really wants to take advantage of their solar powered system they should start by reducing the amount of electricity their home uses before they even get the system. Although the initial investment is large, homeowners are finding that the long term benefits far out weight the initial cost over time. With more and more people turning to this source of energy, global warming will be reduced and the longevity of our planet will be on a better track to lasting a long, long time.
How to Have an Efficient Energy Saving House
We could all use a little extra money in our pockets these days but, how is it possible to save money on your home energy bills? It is possible for you to have an efficient energy saving house with just a few steps.
Most people do not realize how much energy they waste by not doing simple things around the house. Start by checking your hot water temperature. The thermostat does not need to be any higher then 60 degrees centigrade which is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. With a higher water temperature you are only causing your water heater to mix cold water back into it to cool it down for use.
Saving electricity is another way to endure that your home is using energy efficiently. We have all heard our parents’ complaint about making sure that the light is off when you leave a room but, do we all practice this motto in our own homes? It is an easy way to save electricity. Also, did you know that placing your home electronics like televisions, stereos and DVD players on “standby” when you are not using them still uses electricity? If you are not using these devices make sure they are turned off. These devices can draw on average of five to ten percent of household energy when on standby. Some appliances will even drain energy when they are plugged in but not in use like the microwave. If you are not going to use your microwave for a period of time, unplug it from the wall. Some people leave their microwave plugged in so they can access the time that is displayed on the front of it. A better solution would be to get a clock that ran on batteries and place it in a convenient spot where you can see it easily. Plus, leaving your computer on screen saver rather then turning it off uses energy. It sometimes uses more energy then if you were to actually use it. Leaving your computer on screen saver will also reduce the life of our monitor. A better option is to enable the display blanking feature to automatically turn off the monitor when your computer is idle. You might be surprised to learn that you can save $50 to $100 per year by making this small change. Another small change you can make with your computer that will save your energy is to reduce the screen brightness. This will also reduce the battery time for you laptop. And you can replace your old CRT monitor with a new LCD monitor. This simple change will reduce your energy consumption by about sixty-six percent!
Another step to making sure that your home is using less energy is to change you habits when it comes to washing your clothes. If you are out to buy a new washer, buy a front loader. These washing machines save a huge amount of water and energy compared to the top-loading washers. You can also hang your clothes on a line to dry rather then in a dryer. You are saving energy and it is better for your clothes.
These simple steps will ensure that you are on the right road to getting your home energy consumption under control. You will see a difference in your bills and hopefully a difference in the world around you.
