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 Saving
energy in your home will not only save you money, but will also help
the environment by reducing the need for hydro-electric dams and fossil
fuels used to produce electricity. These steps will pay for themselves
again and again for years to come.
The
average home looses up to 20% of its heating due to drafts. Doors,
windows, outlets, and switches are all common areas of heat loss. Most
heating bills in our area can be $2000 a season or more meaning those
drafts can cost you $400 a year! That buys a lot of weather stripping
and caulking. Most doors and windows are easy to check with just your
hand, if you feel the cold air coming in then you are loosing heat.
Outlets and switches also can be drafty, if you feel cool air around
them, consider foam gaskets under the cover plates. Old single pane
windows can be made more efficient by installing storm windows or
inside magnetic panels to reduce drafts. Read more on caulk and weather stripping here.
 During
the day, let the sunlight in to reduce lighting costs, but at sunset,
closing curtains will also help reduce heat loss. Consider cellular
blinds as they are more energy efficient then blinds and shutters.
Turning down your thermostat by one degree can save over 5 percent on your heating bill. Consider electronic thermostats
with built in timers to reduce energy use when you are at work or
sleeping. You can still awaken to a warm house and not use energy when
you don't need to. Avoid heating rooms you don't use by closing heat
vents or turning down individual room thermostats.
Have
your heating system checked regularly to assure that it is running at
top efficiency, and always keep air filters clean. A tiny change in a
furnace or boiler systems combustion can dramatically lower your
heating bills and will often pay for the service call in energy savings.
 Water
heaters use a lot of energy and should have the thermostats set to 120
degrees. Not only will this save energy, but dramatically reduces the
risk of scalding injuries. If it is set higher, you will be using a lot
of cold water to bring the temperature down. Gas how water heaters have
their thermostat on the exterior and are easy to set, electric heaters
are under cover and should be set by a professional. Read more about energy efficient water heating here.
Take
showers instead of filling a bath and save about 50% of the energy. Low
flow shower heads save both water and energy. If you have a hot tub,
make sure the cavity under the tub is insulated and you use a insulated
cover. Turn down the heat when you are not going to use it for an
extended time.
Lighting
is one of the easiest ways to save energy and money. Compact florescent
lights (CFLs) are direct replacements for standard incandescent light
bulbs. The 100 watt equivalent lights can last 13 times longer and use
less then 1/4th the energy. When you buy and install a 6 pack of CFLs,
it is like putting $550 in your pocket! They have styles now for
replacing bathroom globes and outdoor flood lights. But remember they
can't be used with dimmers, and must be disposed of properly. Most
hardware stores will take the old lights back.
Computers
use significant energy, especially those that are left on all the time.
Remember a screensaver saves no energy, but hibernation does, or better
yet power them off and save more. Modern LCD displays use 1/3 the
energy then a old CRT. Same with most laptops, they are more energy
efficient then a standard desktop.
TV's
use power all the time, even when they are turned 'off'. Most
entertainment devices with remotes (DVD players, VCRs, stereo equipment
also use power in standby mode. Unplugging them when you are not using
them will save energy.
Keep
freezers free from excessive ice buildup. A defrosted freezer is more
efficient. Open the doors a minimum amount of time to keep the cold
inside. Every time a refrigerator door is opened, the compressor had to
re-chill the contents.
Laundry
is another big power user, so wash full loads. Use the coolest water
temperature that will do the job, and always rinse with cold water. The
washing machine itself doesn't use nearly the energy as the water
heater does to wash in warm or hot water. The clothes dryer is one of
the highest energy use appliance in most homes. Use a clothes line and
you will save significant energy.
Look for the "Energy Star" label on all household appliances, and buy the ones with the lowest energy use.
Home
without adequate insulation should upgraded. The first place is in the
attic, it is cheap and easy to add. The payback in energy savings is
very fast since 1/3rd of heat lost is through the roof. If you walls
are un-insulated we recommend adding it there too. It will pay you back
for as long as you own the home and increase the re-sale value.
1.
In unfinished attic spaces, insulate between and over the floor joists
to seal off living spaces below. 1A attic access door
2. In finished attic rooms with or without dormer, insulate …
2A between the studs of "knee" walls;
2B between the studs and rafters of exterior walls and roof;
2C ceilings with cold spaces above;
2D extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows.
3. All exterior walls, including …
3A walls between living spaces and unheated garages, shed roofs, or storage areas;
3B foundation walls above ground level;
3C foundation walls in heated basements, full wall either interior or exterior.
4. Floors above cold spaces, such as vented craw spaces and unheated garages. Also insulate …
4A any portion of the floor in a room that is cantilevered beyond the exterior wall below;
4B slab floors built directly on the ground;
4C as an alternative to floor insulation, foundation walls of un-vented crawl spaces;
4D extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows.
5. Band joists.
6. Replacement or storm windows and caulk and seal around all windows and doors.
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We found this in a closet yesterday, and reminded me to write about this very common and overlooked safety hazard. This type light fixture is the suspected cause for the fire in Fremont that killed 5. 
