Save Energy Outside Your Home
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You want to save energy in your home, but have you considered all the places you can save energy outside your home? You can reduce your energy use by properly sizing your air conditioning and heating equipment, using modern technology for outdoor lighting, sealing air leaks in your home's outer "shell" and reducing your car use. Use these helpful tips to help you save energy and do your part for the environment.
Save Energy with Properly-Sized Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment
When it comes to your home's heating and cooling equipment, bigger is NOT always better. If you're buying a new furnace or central air conditioner, make sure it's properly sized for your home to maximize energy efficiency, comfort and life span of the unit. Over-sized equipment can be excessively noisy, and won't be able to provide the comfort you want. Also, over-sized equipment cycles on and off more than necessary, which can cause it to break down more often and shortens its life span - so you'll need to replace it sooner. On the other hand, under-sized equipment will have to work harder to achieve the same results as a properly sized unit. This uses more energy and increases wear and tear, which can lead to premature failure. Need help? Contact your local Home Energy Team.
Porch lights and other outdoor lamps are some of the most used lighting fixtures in a home, and it's a great place to use energy-saving technology. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LEDs and a new ENERGY STAR qualified outdoor light fixture. Other energy-saving solutions include motion sensors that automatically turn lights on when someone is there, and photocells that turn lights on at nightfall and off in daylight. These devices can help you save energy while keeping your home more secure.
Air Seal Your Home's "Envelope"
The "envelope" of your home - also known as the "thermal boundary" or "shell" - consists of the outer walls, windows, doors, floors and ceiling of the house. Inadequate insulation and air leaks through the thermal boundary are common problems that lead to high energy bills and uncomfortable conditions in the home. You can avoid higher than necessary energy bills and increase your in-home comfort by properly air sealing and insulating the building "shell". Use the Guide to ENERGY STAR Home Sealing for step-by-step instructions for adding insulation in the attic and sealing air leaks.
Drive Less and Save Energy
You can save a significant amount of energy and help the environment by leaving your car at home whenever possible. Use other means of transportation such as public transit, walking or biking - or car-pool with friends or co-workers. You can save 1,590 lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions each year by leaving your car at home just two days a week. If you need to use your car, combine trips whenever possible. Keep your tires properly inflated to improve your gas mileage and prolong the life of your tires. With regular maintenance and care you will maximize your car's fuel efficiency, safety and reliability.
Useful Energy Efficient Solutions:
- Attic Attic Ventilation, Duct Sealing, Chimney Sealing
- Basement Retire your old refrigerator!, Dehumidifier, Water Heater
- Bathroom Vanity Lights, Light Switch, Vent Fan
- Bedroom Bed-Side Lamp, Light Switch, Room Air Conditioner
- Dining Room Light Fixture, Light Switch, Programmable Thermostat
- Heating and Cooling Systems Table Lamp, Light Switch ...
- Home Office Desk Lamp, Ducts, Electrical Outlets, Power Strip
- Kitchen Light Fixture, Light Switch, Floor Vents/Radiators
- Living Room Table Lamp, Ceiling Fan with Lighting, Light Switch
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Energy Efficient Windows
Replace or Renovate?,
We were unaware of what was involved in an energy audit and your audior took the time to explain everything. We were impressed with the report which told us the areas in which we need to take action on. He never pressured us to use any particular contractors, he just suggested that we go to the HomeEnergyTeam web site to select contractors of our own choice. He did an excellent job and we HIGHLY recommend the Home Energy Team. We already have recommended them to several of our neighbors. Again, EXCELLENT JOB!
Cynthia SimpsonThe Home Energy Team auditor was very knowledgeable. I was VERY HAPPY with him. He promptly E-mailed my energy audit report to me and I will consider all of his recommendations.
Tom McGeeWe found out that our house really has no energy problems. We are happy to know that we
Leslie StewartI was very satisfied with your energy auditor. He was very qualified and spent a great deal of time with me. The energy audit was very informative.
P.B.The energy auditor was very good and helpful. He keeps in touch with me to answer any of my questions.
D.G.I was very satisfied with my energy audit. The auditor gave me some tips on attic insulation that were very helpful.
R.G.I was very satisfied with my energy audit. Thank you!
R.S.Very good service! I am going to replace the windows as the auditor had suggested.
D.W.I was very happy with the energy audit. THANKS!
A. M.My energy audit was very helpful. Joe Dempsey, your auditor, identified some structural problems that I was not aware of and explained to me why I need more insulation.
J. F.The auditor was EXCELLENT! He spent ALOT of time with me. I am going to take 3 to 4 of his suggestions and correct these small items to save on my energy bills.
M. B.The auditor did a GREAT JOB! He knew a lot about older homes, which we have. The report was very comprehensive. Thank you!
Vicki Nez/atYour energy auditor was very nice and helpful. He answered all of our questions. We will recommend Home Energy Team to our friends and neighbors.
Katherine McCaffreyThe auditor did a TERRIFIC JOB! The report was FANTASTIC! I will make all the repairs he suggested. I will definitely recommend him to everyone I know that could benefit from a home energy audit.
Steve Sleigh, Chevy ChaseThe energy auditor was very professional and I am very satisfied with both the energy audit and the report I received. I will be referring the Home Energy Team.
Tim ClaryI was very satisfied with the auditor. He was great and gave me some very valuable information. I will refer him to people I know who may need a home energy audit.
Willie GanttYour home energy audit proved to be very informative and helpful. I was not aware of the updraft created inside our walls because of the balloon framing construction. You said that that can cause heat to be pulled out of the house with the draft going up inside the walls and should be re-mediated. You also said that the attic insulation was insufficient and that fiberglass batts can leave spaces for around the edges causing heat loss and that it should have blown in insulation on top of what was there to seal the whole attic and increase the r factor. After going over your findings and telling me how you would fix the problems you told me how I could do it myself with stuff from the Home Center and for a quarter of the cost. Well, I did. I went into the basement and filled the bottom of the wall joist with unfaced insulation where they set on the sill plate. I then cut one inch foam board the size for each space and set it in and the sealed the edges of that with expanding foam as well as the sill plate to the foundation. I also sealed the sill plate to the foundation where the joist ran along it, as well as the top of those joist where it made contact with the subflooring. Next I went to the home center and rented their blown insulation machine and got ten bales of the insulation. I filled the attic on top of the batt insulation with about six inches giving another r-19 factor on top of the r-19 that was there. You said that the blown in would also help seal the heat loss around the edges of the batt. The work in the basement cost $144.00 and the work in the attic cost $328.00. After the 30% federal energy tax credit it will end up costing me about $330.00, which you said I should recover in savings in the first year. Thank You for all your advice and expertise. You made me aware of things I should consider and did.
Tommy Thompson
