Energy Efficiency In Homes

[Rolando Cartwright]

Over the period of a year there are quite a number of bills associated
with a home. One of the most expensive of these bills usually turns
out to be the energy bills. However, this is one bill that can be
fairly easy to reduce if you know where to start looking for spots
where energy is being wasted. There are usually a number of these in
any given home that don't take much effort to fix, try looking at your
windows, insulation, lights, appliances and also check for any leaks
to the exterior. Combined, these things can add up to a hefty energy
bill, yet there are so many opportunities to save some money.
Windows - Single pane windows can radiate heat outwards and do not
keep the heat in as well as double pane windows. Also available is a
window coating the is easily applied and helps the home to retain
heat. Modern and up-to-date windows are a great energy saver and they
always look good on any home.
Insulation - Many people only think about insulation in terms of
keeping the cold air out but they also help to keep cool air in during
summer. During the warm months one of the highest bills can be air
conditioning. Make sure your home has a high R-Rating number and check
the insulation on a yearly basis for any deterioration.
Lights - Lighting is an area where a lot of money can easily be
wasted. Simply changing all the bulbs in your home to compact
fluorescent can save hundreds of dollars a year. Also try to conserve
the use of lighting by using small occasional lights for areas as
opposed to overhead lighting throughout the day.
Appliances- Old appliances use quite a lot more energy than modern
ones. Look for appliances with a good energy star rating. These are
built according to strict energy conservation standards and are
perfect for reducing high energy bills.
Leaks - In a typical home there are a number of places where heat can
escape and create a draw on energy consumption. Taking the time to
seek these leaks out and have them sealed is a good way to ensure that
your home is an energy efficient as possible.