The key to achieving these savings in your home is a whole-house energy efficiency plan.
To take a whole-house approach, view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. For example, your heating system is not just a furnace—it's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnace and delivers heat throughout your home using a network of ducts.
Even a top-of-the-line, energy-efficient furnace will burn a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls, attic, windows, and doors are not insulated and leak.
Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to save energy are spent wisely.
Energy Savings Guide
Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends more than $1,600 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. And electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. And as for the road, transportation accounts for 66% of all U.S. oil consumption. The good news is, there is a lot you can do to save energy and money at home and in your car. Start making small changes today (see the tips below). To cut your energy use up to 25%, see the Long-Term Savings Tips throughout this Web site.
This article shows you how easy it is to reduce your energy use at home and on the road. The easy, practical solutions for saving energy include tips you can use today, throughout your home—from the roof, walls, and insulation that enclose it to the appliances and lights inside. Please, take a few moments to read the valuable tips in this booklet to start saving energy and money today.
Tips to Save Energy Today
Easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy.
Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.
Take advantage of Rebate Programs. The Department of Energy has approved the appliance rebate programs for the states and territories as of March 31, 2010.
The link below will take you to the official DOE website for more details: Approved Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs
Your Local Electric Utility Company is helping customers save energy. Many of these utility companies make several energy efficiency programs available to both residential and business customers. Programs such as free Energy Audits, Ductwork, Insulation and some even provide innovative Energy Planner initiatives that are helping customers save energy and lower the cost of electric bills. To learn more just call or visit your local electrical utility company online.
Be sure to get your copy of my BIG Book: Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.
Wire a Surveillance Flood Light How should I provide power for a Surveillance Camera Flood Lights? Wiring for a Surveillance Camera Flood Light, Wiring to an Existing Power Source.
Replacing a Thermostat Thermostat Problems and How to Fix Them: Wiring a Heating and Air Conditioning Thermostat.
Wire a Water Heater Timer Control to Save Electricity Save on Your Electric Bill with a Water Heater Time Control | Wiring diagram with the Connections for a Water Heater Timer, Explanation of the Water Heater Timer Wiring Diagram.
Heating A Cold Garage What is the best way to heat my cold garage? How to Install Electric Wiring for a Floor Heat System, and the Electrical Circuit for a Floor Heating System.
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Home Energy Savings Projects
Home Energy Saving may result from installing many 120 volt devices such as energy efficient light fixtures, dimmer switches, occupancy sensor switches, etc..
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate. Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a non-aluminum ladder where required, and Voltage Tester. Estimated Time:
This will depend on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools and access to the device to be wired. Electrical Safety:
Identify any electrical circuit where work will be performed, turn the circuit OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Energy Savings Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for home wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected. Note:
Large 240 volt equipment may be replaced with energy efficient units in cooperation with rebate programs offered by your local electric utility company when available. This equipment should be installed by a certified of licensed contractor.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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I wish I found this site earlier, it is by far the best electrical related resource I have found on the web. George, from Scranton, Pennsylvania
I love this site for an office worker that does not know anything about electric wiring. Bill, from New York City, New York
This site is so much better than the 3 books I just bought, I wish I came here first. Collin, from Grand Rapids, Michigan
