Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About... HOME ENERGY SAVINGS But Never Dared To Ask!

Limits of Liability / Disclaimer of Warranty: The authors of this information and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in preparing this course. The authors make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this course. They disclaim any warranties e!pressed or implied", merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The authors shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, conse#uential, or other damages. This manual contains information protected under $nternational %ederal &opyright laws and Treaties. 'ny unauthori(ed reprint or use of this material is strictly prohibited. We actively search for copyright infringement and you will be prosecuted.

Table of &ontents
Introduction. pg 2 Chapter 1: Determining Current Costs... .6 Chapter 2: Cost Over Savings Analysis . Chapter !: "etting Started #inding $our %iggest &eeds..1' Chapter ': Start Small #or %ig Savings ....1( Chapter ): $our *indo+ Savings. 2' Chapter 6: ,he #ireplace Advantage .!1 Chapter (: -nergy Saving .a/its ,o Develop !) Chapter 0: ,he ,hermostat.. .'2 Chapter : -nergy Star: 1nderstanding *hat It Is. .'6 Chapter 12: Outside ,he .ome. ..)2

Chapter 11: Alternative Sources O3 #uel )' Chapter 12: ,he -nergy -33icient &e+ .ome .)( Conclusion. ..62

$ntroduction
Are you ready to 3ind out i3 in 3act your home is as energy e33icient as it can /e4 5ost o3 us have some /ig and some small things that they can do to /etter the cost e33iciency o3 home. *hether you 6ust +ant to drop a 3e+ dollars o33 o3 your gas /ill or you are loo7ing 3or a /etter +ay to 3uel your home altogether8 doing 6ust a 3e+ things can ma7e a tremendous amount o3 di33erence in your home. *hy /other +ith cost e33iciency4 $ou can a33ord the /ills so +hy /other4 5any people +ill /e shoc7ed to learn that they can lose up to 2)9 or more o3 the energy in their home +ithout the need to. $ou literally could /e 3lushing your money do+n the drain. ,he good ne+s is that ma7ing your home energy e33icient does not have to /e overly challenging. It also does not have to /e overly costly either. ,here are some changes that +ill cost a decent amount o3 money to implement into a home. ,hese are usually the things that need to /e ta7en into consideration i3 you plan to save a great deal o3 money.

As you +ill see in this e:/oo78 there are plenty o3 things that you can do to /etter your home;s a/ility to use energy more +isely 3rom 6ust a/out every aspect you can imagine. %ut8 in our 3irst chapters8 +e need to ta7e the time to really analy<e i3 in 3act ma7ing the change is +orth it. ,here are some products and some companies that do promise that you +ill save a great deal o3 money and you +ind up investing a great deal to +ind up not saving anything. ,he /est thing 3or anyone that is loo7ing to improve their home;s a/ility to use energy +isely is to ta7e a good loo7 at +hat the product or need is8 ho+ it is used8 the cost o3 the product and the cost o3 the installation and then determine i3 in 3act it has the potential o3 ma7ing up those 3unds through energy savings. Some +on;t. Others +ill. ,hroughout this e:/oo7 you +ill learn things that you can do right a+ay to improve the energy e33iciency o3 your home. $ou +ill also learn di33erent +ays to save money on everyday needs that you have. $ou +ill 3ind yoursel3 saving money and living in a more e33icient and environmentally 3riendly home.

&hapter ): Determining &urrent &osts

One o3 the 3irst things that you should do +hen loo7ing at your a/ility to ma7e your home more cost e33icient is to 7no+ 6ust +hat you are currently paying. %y ta7ing the time to determine +hat you are currently spending on energy8 you can /etter determine +hich areas you have the potential to save +ith. In each area o3 the country8 there are di33erent rates8 di33erent co ops and a +ide range o3 di33erent types o3 3uel to ta7e into consideration. It is up to you to 3ind out +hat you are paying /ased on your monthly /ill payments. =oo7 at those payments and notice t+o things. *hat is the amount that you pay per unit that you use o3 that 3uel type4 *hat is the amount o3 that 3uel type that you use per month in units4 $our goal8 then8 is to notice ho+ you can change these.
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Can $ou =o+er ,he Cost >er 1nit4

,he 3irst +ay to determine i3 you can lo+er you costs +ith your 3uel usage is to determine i3 you have the most cost e33ective provider o3 that 3uel. In many areas o3 the country8 there are several providers o3 each type o3 3uel that you need. #or e?ample8 you may have a choice in +hich gas company you use or +hich electric company that you use. I3 that is the case8 then you should determine +hich is capa/le o3 providing you +ith the lo+est rate per unit o3 3uel used. ,o 3ind out i3 you have an option in this service8 simply contact your local government. ,hey can easily tell you +hich providers are availa/le as +ell as provide contact in3ormation to you. ,hen8 give each provider a call and as7 them i3 they do in 3act provide to your home. I3 so8 then as7 +hat their rates per unit are8 as +ell as any trans3er or account set up 3ees that they may have. Do this 3or all o3 the providers in your area until you 3ind the most a33orda/le choice.
8

%y doing this8 you can instantly save money +ithout having to +orry a/out investing anything /ut a 3e+ minutes o3 your time.

Can $ou =o+er ,he &um/er o3 1nits4

,he ne?t step in this process is to determine i3 you can lo+er the num/er o3 units that you use o3 your 3uel type. &o+8 the most simplistic o3 +ays to do this is through simply turning o33 more po+er or 3uel to your home. One thing that people do not reali<e is 6ust ho+ much it matters that you turn o33 and unplug the appliances and other tools 3or your home. ,hroughout the ne?t pages o3 this e:/oo78 you +ill learn not only ho+ to improve the e33iciency o3 your home8 /ut also ho+ to simply use less energy altogether. *hen you do this8 you are /etter a/le to 3ind lo+er costs. #or no+8 start o33 /y investing a 3e+ minutes right no+. "et up and +al7 3rom room to room in your home. ,urn o33 any light8 any 3an8 any appliance that is on. Don;t 3orget to unplug those units that leave =-D lights on even +hen they are turned o33. ,hese units can save

you a great deal o3 money. "o ahead@ see ho+ much you can already save 6ust /y doing this.

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&hapter *: &ost +ver ,avings 'nalysis

%e3ore +e get into saving you money +ith methods to lo+er the num/er o3 units that you spend on your 3uel each month8 +e do need to sho+ you the /ene3its o3 energy savings /y smart investment. %ecause the +orld is in a 3uel crisis and the cost o3 gas and other energy means continues to rise8 there are those not so nice guys out there that are promoting products that are anything /ut a +ay to save money. ,hese products may +or78 /ut pro/a/ly do not. ,he tric7 is that you need to 7no+ /e3ore you purchase them i3 in 3act they are something that is cost e33ective or i3 they are something that +ill /e a +aste o3 your hard earned money. *e can help you +ith a 3e+ good tips a/out purchasing any item that may /e presented to you as a +ay to save energy on your home;s 3uel usage. ,a7e some time to really thin7 a/out +hat you are investing in /e3ore you do so. ,his alone can save you money.

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,ips #or Analy<ing %ene3it

,a7e these tips to heart: *hat is the product promising to do 3or you4 Any product that is promising ama<ing results is pro/a/ly not providing them. I3 there +as a miracle product out there8 +ouldn;t +e all have it /y no+4 *hat is the cost o3 this product in the 3irst place4 .o+ much +ill it cost you to purchase8 install and then use this product4 Does this cost actually 3igure any savings to you +ithin the 3irst days o3 use4 In other +ords8 it should /e a/le to immediately help you to save money on your energy needs. #inally8 ho+ long +ill it ta7e you to ma7e up the di33erence in the cost o3 the product over the amount o3 money you have invested in it4 I3 you can not get your costs /ac7 Auic7 enough8 it too may not /e the right choice 3or your needs.

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*hen you ta7e these things into consideration8 you +ill 3ind yoursel3 /etter a/le to understand the true /ene3it o3 any supposed energy savings gadget that is out there. &o+8 there are sure to /e those things that do actually +or7 too. %ut8 you need to 3ind them 3irst.

Bno+ %e3ore $ou %uy

,here are several things that you should 7no+ a/out /e3ore you invest in these energy savings products as +ell. &o+8 mind you8 i3 you are tal7ing a/out a ten dollar investment8 it does not ta7e all o3 this research. %ut8 i3 you are tal7ing a/out replacing or amending any o3 your ma6or energy producing systems in your home8 such as your 3urnace8 then it pays to pay attention to the details. One thing to 3ind out is +ho the company that is o33ering this product actually is. #or e?ample8 +ho is mar7eting this product to you4 I3 you can ta7e a 3e+ minutes to 3ind this out8 you can log into the %etter %usiness %ureau;s +e/site and 3ind out i3 in 3act they have had any claims put in against the company or person that may in 3act have to do +ith this product. $ou can also search 3or revie+s o3 the product /y using your 3avorite search engine and the name o3 the product
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3ollo+ed /y the +ord revie+. *hen you do this8 you may 3ind several di33erent +e/sites all providing a di33erent loo7 at +hat this product can or possi/ly +ill not do 3or you. ,a7e the time to determine i3 there are good or 6ust /ad points to this product. Also /ene3icial is to ta7e some time to learn a/out the +ay that the product;s manu3acturer /ac7s up their claim. I3 you 3ind that the product does not +or7 as e33ectively as it has promised8 can you send it /ac7 to them4 I3 so8 /e3ore you even purchase it8 you should 7no+ +here you can return it to get your 3unds /ac7. Doing these things is almost a must +hen you are purchasing 3rom a company that you have not heard a/out in the past. *hat;s more is that protecting yoursel3 is something you have to do.

Is It *orth ,he Cost4

,here are plenty o3 traps out there that can really cut into any potential that you have in gaining anything 3rom a product. %ut8 the /ottom line is that the product that you are purchasing to help you to save money must /e a/le to actually do that.
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,o do it8 the cost o3 the product must /e a/le to /e made up Auic7ly /y the product saving you the money. $ou should also ta7e some time to determine i3 this product 3its a need that you have. I3 you are investing in a C2222 ne+ 3urnace 3or a home you do not use8 it may not /e all that /ene3icial to you. %ut8 i3 you use that 3urnace each day8 then this money can come /ac7 to you ten 3old Auic7ly8 i3 the product is +orth the investment o3 course. #inally8 although +e have said Auite a 3e+ negative things here regarding products on the mar7et that may not /e /ene3icial to your home;s energy e33icient needs8 it is important to note that there are plenty o3 great companies and services out there that actually are capa/le o3 providing the highest Auality service as +ell as lo+ering your costs 3or 3uel. In 3act8 i3 you thin7 a/out it8 solar panels +ouldn;t /e around i3 someone hadn;t thought to use the sun;s po+ers to heat us. $ou also +ould not have plenty o3 the other things that +e use each and every day to i3 someone hadn;t thought that this +as a great idea and then made it happen.

15

,here3ore8 it does ma7e good sense to insure that you do ta7e the time to consider +hat the product is and +hat it is promising. *hile there are scams out there8 there are also Auite a 3e+ /ene3icial products on the mar7et that can /etter your a/ility to save money on your home;s 3uel needs too.

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&hapter -: .etting ,tarted /y %inding 0our /iggest 1eeds

&o+ that you have an idea o3 ho+ to go a/out considering any and all products that you +ill put into your home8 you should /e considering +hat your /iggest potential need 3or your attention is. As you 3ound out 6ust ho+ much you are spending each month on your energy needs8 you should /e a/le to see +hich your largest consumer is. #or most people8 this is gas.

"as
"as is Auite e?pensive and there is no dou/t that in the coming years the prices o3 it +ill continue to rise. %ut8 there is more to consider than 6ust that. ,hin7 a/out the 3act that +ithin the ne?t si?ty years8 most scientists /elieve that +e +ill have e?hausted all o3 our crude oil supplies around the +orld8 leaving all o3 us to 3ace the 3act that there may not /e any gas le3t to use.

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As the supply o3 a product d+indles8 the costs o3 it go up. ,o ma7e matters +orse8 +e continue to use more and more gas each and every year. In addition to that8 gas is not the +orld;s healthiest 3uel choice to /urn. It does not help the environment +hen +e /urn it daily in our cars and to heat our homes. Simply8 depleting the vast resources +e have a +ell as hurting the environment +hile +e use it are t+o reasons to stay a+ay 3rom gas usage. So8 +hat does this mean4 It means that no+ is the time to loo7 at ho+ you can save gas costs +ithin your home. ,he prices are going to continue to rise and there is no dou/t your /ills +ill continue to rise as +ell. $et8 this does not have to mean that you can 7eep losing a great deal o3 money either. ,here are plenty o3 +ays to save on gas8 as you +ill see throughout this e:/oo7. I3 it is your /iggest cost in 3uel usage in your home8 this is +here you +ant to start.

Others ,o ,hin7 A/out

O3 course8 gas it not the only type o3 3uel that you use in your home. In 3act8 electricity can /e another potential money saver is you learn to use it +isely. In 3act8 all
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you need to do is to invest your time in 3inding out +here you use these 3uel sources and ho+ you can save in doing so.

*hat Do I Do &o+4
Once you have 3ound out +hat your 3uel costs are and +here your largest money saver is8 you can /egin to loo7 3or ans+ers to your speci3ic needs in energy savings. %ut8 there are some other things to thin7 a/out too. 5a7ing the /ig changes can /e costly. ,here3ore8 you +ill +ant to do all o3 our little changes 3irst so that you can go /ac7 later and ma7e larger ones +ith the 3unds that you save. .ere;s +hat +e mean. I3 you ta7e the time to install some added insulation in your home8 you +ill /egin to reap the /ene3its o3 needing less 3uel to cool or to heat your home. &o+8 ta7e this savings and consider stoc7piling it8 so to spea7. *hen you can8 do+n the road consider purchasing solar panels 3or your roo3 so that you can /egin using literally 3ree po+er instead.

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,here is no dou/t that some changes are going to /e costly8 /ut i3 you can 3ind them /ene3icial in the long run8 they may /e +ell +orth it.

&hapter 2: ,tart ,mall %or /ig ,avings

,hroughout the ne?t chapters in our e:/oo78 you +ill 3ind many8 many di33erent tips and tric7s to helping you to save money on your home;s energy needs. %ut8 as +e mentioned8 it is smart8 even most /ene3icial to start small and +or7 up to larger changes in your home. &o+8 that does not mean that you can not do /oth8 /ut +e +ill /egin tal7ing a/out some o3 the small8 ine?pensive +ays that you can /egin to see energy e33iciency in your home. In the ne?t pages8 +e +ill list some pretty simple things you can do right no+ to get started at saving your hard earned money.

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Insulate $our *ater .eater

,here are several things that you can improve +ith your +ater heater to see /ene3its in energy savings. #irst o338 do you reali<e that you are heating +ater to a certain temperature 3or your sho+er or your +ashing machine only to /ring that temperature do+n /y mi?ing it +ith cold +ater so that it is usa/le4 5ost people can not use straight hot +ater and that;s +here some savings can come in. =o+er the hot +ater temperature to the lo+est com3orta/le setting 3or your needs. I3 you have an energy e33icient hot +ater heater8 you can save a great deal o3 money 6ust not heating the +ater as hot as you normally +ould. 5ost hot +ater heaters have dials that you can use. $ou can lo+er it 6ust a /it or a good amount8 6ust do not drop it /elo+ 122 #8 as this is an unsa3e level 3or /acteria and sanitation reasons. ,his is especially help3ul i3 you have an electric heater. Another thing to consider doing is to install a timer on your +ater heater. *hat is the sense o3 +arming +ater over and over during the day i3 you are not home or do not use it during the day4 .ave the +ater heater timer
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7ic7 on /e3ore you come home 3rom +or7 so that hot +ater is ready and +aiting 3or you. -ven /etter is insuring that the timer 7eeps the heater o33 during the night +hen you 7no+ you +on;t /e using it. $ou can again set the temperature on your hot +ater heater to aid in getting it right.

>ro/a/ly one o3 the largest /ene3its in regards to your +ater heater is to have it insulated. 5ost o3 the time8 your +ater heater +ill already /e insulated8 you 6ust need to ta7e it to the ne?t step. %y adding insulation around the outside o3 your +ater heater8 you are 7eeping the heat inside the +ater heater and there3ore reducing the need 3or the heater to turn on and heat8 using 3uel to do so. ,his is a large /ene3it to anyone that is perhaps housing their +ater heater in the /asement or in another area o3 their home that is not heated. ,here are t+o solutions here. #irst8 you can purchase prepaid hot +ater heaters to easily apply to your hot +ater heater. ,hese 3it snuggly over it and ta7e 6ust minutes to install.

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Another option is to consider ma7ing your o+n +ith strips o3 insulation cut the si<e o3 the circum3erence o3 the +ater heater. 1se duct tape to 7eep it in place. Dust /e care3ul not to cover the areas +here gas or piping are located other+ise the +ater heater +ill not 3unction properly 3or you.

$our >iping
,he ne?t /ig yet easy energy saving solution 3or you to consider is to insulate your home;s piping. >iping carries hot +ater to and 3rom the various 3aucets in your home. ,he route that it ta7es is important to consider. In addition8 it is important to insure that +hile the hot +ater is traveling to its destination it is staying as hot as possi/le. I3 not8 you +ill /e tempted to 6ust up the temperature on your hot +ater tan7. $et8 all you +ill need to do is to insulate the pipes to insure that the +ater temperature does not drop +hen traveling 3orm the hot +ater heater to the actual place +here you +ill use it. ,his can /e very /ene3icial to those that have piping that runs through areas o3 your home that are not heated8 such as the /asement or even outside. *hen this
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happens8 the temperature o3 those pipes can /ecome very cold8 especially in +inter months8 drastically lo+ering the temperature o3 the hot +ater you need. ,o remedy this8 6ust purchase and install insulation 3or your hot +ater pipes. $ou +ill 3ind very easy to use pre: made 3oam pipe insulation availa/le to use. ,o do so8 6ust cut do+n one side o3 the insulation +ith a sharp 7ni3e so that you can insert it over the top o3 the piping. 5a7e sure to measure 3or a snug 3it too. Snap it onto the piping. *hen you come to a corner8 6oint or other angle8 all you need to do is to /end the 3oaming to 3orm 3it over the piping. 5ost o3 the time8 this is easy to do. ,hen8 use duct tape to cover any o3 the slits you have made and the 6oints. It also pays to do this +ith cold pipes as +ell. ,hese pipes o3ten s+eat and then drip onto the other hot pipes8 again8 lo+ering the temperature in them. In addition8 insulating them can help to protect them 3rom 3ree<ing and or /rea7ing during +inter months.

$our #urnace
$our 3urnace is pro/a/ly one o3 the largest consumers o3 energy in your home. It ma7es sense that you should
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+ant to ta7e into consideration any and all di33erent types o3 +ays to 7eep those costs lo+er. One o3 the simplest yet most e33ective methods to 7eeping your 3urnace running e33icient is to simply change the 3urnace 3ilters o3ten. %oth your air conditioning units and your heating units have 3ilters that allo+ air to pass through them. *hen your 3ilters are clogged +ith dust and other stu338 it ma7es it harder 3or the air to get into your unit and there3ore ma7es the unit +or7 harder. ,he harder that it +or7s8 the more energy it needs to have. In 3act8 i3 they are overly clogged up8 you can cause your entire unit to /ecome overheated and then 3ind pro/lems such as your compressor going. See8 the pro/lem here is not the costs though. $our 3ilters are li7ely to cost 6ust a 3e+ dollars and they are even easy to replace. $et8 people 6ust do not get to their 3urnace and ta7e care o3 it as o3ten as they should. $ou should chec7 your 3urnace 3ilters each month. ,here are t+o di33erent types o3 3ilters you can use. ,he 3irst is the standard type and these are very ine?pensive to purchase and are disposa/le. 5any people dispose o3

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these each month 6ust to ma7e it easier on themselves instead o3 having to /other +ith chec7ing them. I3 you purchase other type8 +hich is a more e?pensive8 allergen and small particle 3ilter8 you may not +ant to dispose o3 it each month. Eather8 put it up to the light to see i3 in 3act light can ma7e it through. I3 not8 then it is time to replace them +hich is li7ely to /e one time every three or so months. $ou may also have a sel3 charging electrostatic 3ilter. ,hese 3ilters still need your attention at least each month. .ere8 you +ill +ant to clean them monthly /y rinsing them 3rom the clean side. ,hese usually need to /e replaced one time every several years. Another /ene3it that you can get 3rom your 3urnace is to insure that you have it chec7ed and cleaned each year. $ou should do this as it can help to improve the overall e33iciency o3 the unit. 5ost heating and cooling e?perts say that having the unit chec7ed each month can help you to save throughout the year and 7eep you 3rom having to replace the unit too soon.

Ceiling #ans

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Another aspect o3 your home that you can save some money on is the ceiling 3an. 5ost homes have these installed throughout them. I3 you do not8 consider adding them. 5ost o3 the time8 they are not too costly8 and can even /e 3ound Auite ine?pensively. $ou can save a great deal o3 money +ith ceiling 3ans i3 they are used right. In the summer8 use your ceiling 3an in a countercloc7+ise direction. Allo+ing it to spin this +ay +ill 7eep air moving. 5oving air 3eels cooler and there3ore you +ill not need to use your air conditioning as much. In addition8 it +ill help to 7eep the air moving and 7eep the thermostat set higher. ,he air conditioning units in homes +ill use a great deal more energy then that o3 a ceiling 3an. %ut8 in the +inter8 you should use them as +ell. In this case8 have them spin at their lo+est setting and in reverse Fcloc7+iseG so as to push the hot air that rises 3rom the ceiling do+n onto the +or7ing area o3 your home. At the lo+est setting8 it +ill not cause a /ree<e in your home either /ut +ill 7eep the 3urnace 3rom having to /e set too lo+ during the +inter months.

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In the coming chapters8 +e +ill tal7 more a/out other elements in your home that need to /e ta7en into consideration +hen it comes to energy e33iciency. ,here is no dou/t that you may /e thin7ing that covering your pipes and 7eeping your hot +ater tan7 insulated are going to cost you some money. ,hat is true. In 3act8 you may 3ind yoursel3 spending a couple o3 dollars and investing some time in ma7ing sure that those things are happening. $et8 the /ene3its o3 doing these things +ith these units in your home are de3inite. ,here is not dou/t that you can 7eep your energy costs do+n /y investing a little money in these pro6ects.

&hapter 3: 0our Window ,avings

Consider your +indo+s. Are they everything that they can /e to you4

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,here is no dou/t that +indo+s in a home are necessary8 /ut they can cost you a great deal o3 money +hen it comes to energy. ,he 3act here is that +indo+s allo+ 3or air to pass through them easily. In e33ect8 they can /e a huge part o3 you energy usage. In 3act8 those that have +indo+s that are not providing a good amount o3 insulation can /e loo7ing at up to !) percent o3 their loss to come 3rom their +indo+s. !) percent o3 the energy that you use can /e due to your +indo+s.

Should $ou Eeplace4

,o repair this pro/lem8 there are several things that you can do. #irst o338 this is one case +hen you +ill +ant to care3ully consider the /ene3its o3 replacing your +indo+s. I3 you have older +indo+s8 it may /e necessary to replace them. *indo+s on a home should /e replaced any place 3rom every ten years to every t+enty depending on the type o3 +indo+ and its insulation. It is not so much their age8 though8 as the +ay in +hich they +or7. *hat you are loo7ing 3or is a good level o3 protection. $ou +ant the heat to stay in during the +inter months and the cold to stay out. #lip 3lop that 3or the summer
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months. &evertheless8 this can /e hard to do 3or older +indo+s. ,hose that have 3e+er than t+o panes o3 glass should /e replaced 3or additional energy e33iciency8 i3 your /udget allo+s 3or it. I3 there are crac7s8 /rea7s and other areas +here the +indo+ is compromised8 these too should /e replaced /eyond a dou/t. %ut8 +hen it comes to replacing +indo+s8 it is not necessary a/out purchasing the most e?pensive one out there. %ecause the +indo+s in your home ma7e up such a large8 large 3aculty o3 the energy that you use8 you +ant to purchase the highest Auality8 energy e33icient +indo+s that you can. ,hey should loo7 the +ay that you +ant them8 /ut it is more important to get those that +ill 7eep temperatures even throughout the home instead. ,he cost o3 replacing +indo+s is a large one8 yet the 3act is that they can save you a great deal. It may /e that you +ish to +ait a couple o3 additional months /e3ore purchasing +indo+s and that is 6ust 3ine.

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In the meantime8 +hy not consider any o3 these other +indo+ tips to save you money4

,he Candle Chec7

*e can not al+ays 3eel or see a dra3t that is /eing caused /y your +indo+. ,o help you to see i3 there is in 3act air coming through any area o3 your +indo+s8 use the candle chec7. ,a7e a candle For you can use a piece o3 light+eight thread i3 you li7eG to your +indo+s. Do this on a +indy day +here the trees are moving. &e?t8 run the candle or thread along the edges and the panes. Do this slo+ly as to not move the candle 3ire or the thread any more than necessary. &otice +here the candle or thread moves. I3 there is movement 3rom an area8 then this is an immediate pro/lem that should /e handled. In cases +here there is movement8 repair this damage right a+ay. $ou are thro+ing a+ay For letting seep outG your money. Once you have an idea o3 +here the pro/lem areas +ith your +indo+s actually are8 you can remedy them. I3
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you need to replace caul7ing around the interior or the e?terior o3 your home;s +indo+s8 it is necessary to completely remove and clean o33 any remaining caul7 3irst. A clean layer +ill insure a snug 3it 3or the ne+ application. Consider the +eather stripping as +ell. $ou can no+ purchase sel3 stic7 3oam as +ell as rolled up ru//er +eather stripping that can /e added to virtually any +indo+. ,hese are simply to apply and can instantly save you countless dollars on your home;s energy /ill. $ou can easily purchase them as +ell.

,he *inter >lan

=et;s say that you have an older +indo+ pro/lem in your home /ut can not 3ind the money or time to replace your current +indo+s. $ou 7no+ that during the +inter months that heat is escaping8 +hat can you do4 One solution that many people turn to is that o3 using thin8 clean plastic 3ilms to place over the +indo+. ,hese do Auite a /it o3 good +hen they are applied correctly. O3 course8 you do need to insure that you do that. ,o do so8 purchase these ine?pensive Fusually 6ust a couple o3 dollarsG 3ilms 3or the +indo+s in your home8
32

especially the larger ones. 5ost department stores +ill carry them in their hard+are section. ,he 3ilm +ill need to /e stretched tightly over the +indo+. ,hen8 you +ill use a /lo+ dryer to remove any +rin7les in it. Once this is done8 you simply +ill need to use a t+o sided tape to seal do+n the edges to 7eep air out. ,his type o3 product +or7s /y 7eeping air 3rom 3lo+ing into or out o3 the home. It is a good solution 3or those that can not replace dra3ty +indo+s in their home during the +inter months.

*indo+ Decoration ,ips

*hat most o3 us do not reali<e is that our +indo+s can allo+ a lot o3 air to escape8 especially larger ones. One +ay that you can ta7e energy use seriously is to insure that the +ay that you decorate your +indo+s is the /est +ay to 7eep energy in. ,he more layers o3 protection on something that is dra3ty or even good +indo+s8 the more air +ill stay out.

33

#or e?ample8 i3 it is possi/le8 install shutters on your +indo+s 3or the +inter months and use them. Close in the +indo+s especially on very cold days or very +indy days. ,his +ill 7eep the cold 3rom getting in. %ut8 inside your home8 you can even more layers o3 protection to ta7e into consideration. #irst o338 i3 you have /linds on your +indo+s8 ma7e sure that those /linds are lying 3lat and that they cover the entire +indo+. In addition8 the shades that you use should /e pulled all the +ay do+n. #inally8 decorate your +indo+s +ith drapes and curtains that are lined. ,hese are a /it more in cost than other drapes8 /ut they provide a great deal o3 energy protection to those in need. ,his is a great tip 3or those that are loo7ing 3or +ays to easily save money. A heavy drape covering the +indo+ can help you to save countless dollars in energy costs all +inter. >aying attention to your +indo+s +ill allo+ you to save a great deal o3 money. Eepair any pro/lems that you may have as soon as possi/le.

34

&hapter 4: The %ireplace 'dvantage

*hen most o3 us thin7 a/out a 3ireplace8 +e thin7 a/out a +arm 3ire /la<ing on a very cold +inter night. I3 that is the case8 then you should ta7e into consideration ho+ the 3ireplace can a33ect your home;s energy /ene3its and your home;s cost e33ectiveness. A 3ireplace can /e a /lessing. I3 you use it correctly8 it can generate a good deal o3 heat 3or you to use throughout your home during those cold +inter months. Since +ood is a rene+a/le energy source8 it is not hard to 3ind8 overly costly and does not need to /e something that hurts the environment either. $et8 there are some pro/lems +ith 3ireplaces that you should ta7e into consideration too. I3 you have one8 insure that you are not +asting your hard earned money right through that smo7e stac7.

35

It;s Dra+ing A+ay $our .eat

One o3 the largest pro/lems +ith a 3ireplace in a home is that it can actually dra+ the heat inside a home up8 onto the roo3 and out the house. ,his is not +hat you +ant to see happen +ith your 3ireplace. In 3act8 this +ill cause you to lose Auite a /it o3 energy Auic7ly. %ut8 unless you give up your 3ireplace altogether 3or a lo+er 3uel /ill8 you +ill need to ta7e some steps to help you to save money +ith it in your home. #or e?ample8 determine i3 you actually use the 3ireplace. 5any people li7e the idea o3 having it there /ut never actually use it. I3 it is there 3or decoration8 then seal it. $ou should have your 3ireplace sealed o33 at the top. $ou should8 though8 provide some ventilation into this area. I3 you do not do this8 you +ill 3ind condensation 3orming in your chimney and causing mold and other pro/lems to 3orm. Once the 3ireplace is sealed8 have the chimney insulated as +ell. Adding a layer o3 insulation there is an important 3actor in 7eeping the home +arm.

36

&o+8 the 7ey here is to remem/er to remove that insulation and in3orm others that use your home that it is there. Other+ise8 you can catch 3ire to your home easily.

Other #ireplace ,ips

In addition to this8 there are other things that you can do to insure that your 3ireplace is not costing you too much money in energy costs. #or one thing8 ma7e sure that you have a damper on the 3ireplace. ,his +ill help to 7eep the heat in +hile still allo+ing the necessary ventilation. 5a7e sure that you use it as +ell. ,o do so8 it needs to /e +or7ing in its proper +ay. O3 course8 you should have your 3ireplace chec7ed out each year as +ell. I3 you use your 3ireplace8 this is a necessary tas7 to have completed. It +ill allo+ you to ma7e sure that the 3ireplace is +or7ing correctly and that there is no /uild up o3 soot or car/on in the actual chimney. Eemoving and having this cleaned also can help to insure that the 3ireplace is 7eeping you sa3e and +arm too.

37

I3 you do not have any8 add glass doors to the 3ront o3 your 3ireplace. As the 3ire dies do+n a3ter you have used it8 the glass doors +ill help to 7eep the heat 3rom /eing lost altogether. Beep ash and de/ris out o3 the 3ireplace as much as possi/le too. ,he /uild up o3 these in your 3ireplace can cause pro/lems +ith the a/ility to generate heat. #or your insert8 consider one that is /oth tu/e and glass. ,he glass doors o3 your 3ireplace +ill actually 7eep you 3rom losing too much heat8 as +e mentioned. In addition8 though8 +hen you add on a tu/e and /lo+er to your 3ireplace8 you can 7eep the glass doors closed and 3orce the heat out into the home8 allo+ing 3or /etter and more energy e33icient usage o3 it. $ou get more 3rom the 3ire8 in other +ords. $et another option to consider is the heater insert. ,his is the ideal choice 3or those that are loo7ing 3or a +ay to get the most /ene3it 3rom their 3ireplace. In this case8 you +ill need a +ell designed8 e33icient model. It should come +ith /lo+ers as +ell as thermostats. Simply place them into your 3ireplace and they +ill allo+ you to increase your heating e33iciency /ecause it +ill

38

help to maintain the heat there. $ou do not lose the e33ect o3 the 3ireplace that +e all love so much either. Don;t give up your 3ireplace@ 6ust ma7e sure that you get the most 3rom it +ithout losing 3rom it.

39

&hapter 5: 6nergy ,aving 7abits To Develop

Do you remem/er as a child /eing as7ed /y your mother i3 you +ere H/orn in a /arn4I ,here are plenty o3 reasons +hy this is important. ,he 3act is that there are small things8 even simple things8 to incorporate into your every day li3e to see improvements in your energy usage +ithout really having to do much o3 anything. In 3act8 all you really need to do is to insure that you get yoursel3 into some ha/its and +ithin a month you +ill notice changes. *hile s+itching one light o33 isn;t going to ma7e a huge deal on your /ill8 com/ining this +ith other 3eatures +ill sho+ you some real signs o3 improvement and Auic7ly too. ,o help you8 here are some o3 the /est ha/its that you can 3orm to gain great energy saving /ene3its 3rom the /eginning.

$our Sho+er

40

$ou pro/a/ly do not reali<e ho+ this a33ects your energy /ills8 /ut it does. 1nless you ta7e a very long sho+er8 you may not reali<e that it is more e33ective and uses less hot +ater than a /ath does. Instead o3 3illing up the tu/ +ith +ater8 you save a great deal /y using the sho+er. ,o ma7e it even a /etter option8 install a +ater saving sho+er head. ,hese are ine?pensive Falthough they do cost more than a standard sho+er headG /ut +ill reduce the amount o3 +ater that comes through and is +asted. $ou simply +ill use less +ater and reap the /ene3its o3 lo+er consumption. %ecause you do not need to use as much hot +ater8 you are reducing the +or7 load o3 your hot +ater heater and saving energy in the process.

Appliance 1se
&e?t8 ta7e a loo7 at your appliances usage. ,here are certain appliances that generate heat more so than others. ,he +asher and dryer as +ell as your oven are prime candidates. ,here3ore8 +henever possi/le8 use these during the cooler parts o3 the day such as the morning and in the

41

evening8 to 7eep your air conditioning 3rom having to 7ic7 on. I3 it is already hot and you are using them8 the air conditioning units have to +or7 harder using more energy to do so and costing you more. During the +inter8 doing this +ill help you to 7eep your home +armer in the coldest times o3 the day8 there3ore 7eeping your 3urnace 3rom having to +or7 as hard and using less energy.

*ashing Clothing
*hen +ashing clothing8 there are some great tools to use here too 3or energy savings. #irst o338 only run 3ull loads o3 laundry. I3 you run 6ust a 3e+ items8 you are simply +asting the energy that is needed. In addition8 ma7e sure that the +eight o3 the o/6ect is ta7en into consideration. Beeping li7e +eights together can help to reduce the amount o3 time that some items are needed in the dryer. #or e?ample8 i3 you +ash to+els together8 +hich reAuire longer periods o3 time to dry8 you can save energy +hen you +ash light +eight t: shirts. Another tool that has /een put onto the mar7et is cold +ater detergent 3or your +asher. ,hese chemicals claim

42

to +or7 +ell i3 cold +ater8 meaning that you do not need to use as much hot +ater in your laundry. *ithout using hot +ater8 you lessen the demand on your hot +ater heater and there3ore lo+er your costs signi3icantly. Beep the units +or7ing at their /est. ,hat means cleaning out the dryer 3ilter too. ,here are t+o things to consider here. #irst8 7eep the interior 3ilter clean /y cleaning it a3ter every load. ,his allo+s the clothing to dry 3aster +ith each load. Second8 clean the tu/ing that runs 3rom the dryer to the +all clean as +ell. ,his should /e cleaned out every si? months 3or optimal use.

Coo7 ,ops
Coo7 tops that are electric can pose a pro/lem 3or those that are loo7ing to save energy. ,hese pull Auite a /it o3 electricity to /e used e33ectively. ,o help to 7eep this to a minimum8 ma7e sure that you select the right si<e /urner 3or the pot that you are using. Another tric7 +ith these units is to insure that the /ottom o3 your pan is 3lat. ,hose that are rounded have less sur3ace area actually touching the coo7 top8 causing it to ta7e longer to heat and there3ore reAuiring more energy use 3or the same meal.

43

Beep the sur3aces cleaned and +iped do+n a3ter each use. I3 you have a gas stove8 in this case8 7eep the car/on /uild up around the actual pilots clean as +ell. ,hey +ill +or7 /etter and use less gas in the process lo+ering your costs +hile doing so.

=ights
,hroughout your home you +ill 3ind various lights on and o33 at all times o3 the day8 right4 5a7e it a ha/it to turn them o33 each time you leave a room. In addition8 you +ill +ant to ma7e sure that the smallest com3orta/le light is in use at all times8 not necessarily the light that is going to 3ill the room. In addition8 as you go throughout your home replacing /ul/s Fas they /urn out o3 courseG /egin replacing them +ith compact 3luorescent /ul/s. ,hese are /ecoming more and more readily availa/le even at the supermar7et and department stores. Although they +ill cost more to put them into your home8 they +ill /ene3it you. ,hese light /ul/s put out as much as 3our times as many lumens per +att. So8 i3 you purchase a 2) +att 3luorescent /ul/8 you are going to have as much light as i3 you +ere using a 122 +att /ul/ o3 the standard8

44

incandescent /ul/. ,here3ore8 +ith lo+er +attage use8 you +ill use less electricity and save money. In addition8 these light /ul/s +ill last you almost ten times as long as a standard light /ul/ +ill. In some case8 you +on;t have to replace them 3or yearsJ ,his is de3initely +orth the investment. Doing this slo+ly as the others die out +ill allo+ it to /e less o3 a cost shoc7.

-?haust
$our home needs e?haust systems in it. Some older homes may not have them though. ,his is one system you +ill +ant to consider adding i3 that is the case. $ou can /ene3it 3rom an e?haust 3an in your 7itchen area to pull out the heat and humidity 3rom the area as you are coo7ing. In the summer8 their use is outstanding in these areas to 7eep your air conditioning +or7ing less. In addition8 the /athroom is another area o3 your home 3or an e?haust system. .ere8 the humidity can /e pulled out /e3ore causing the air conditioning to 7ic7 on. %ut8 /e care3ul. During the +inter months8 do not use these systems as o3ten. ,hey can pull the heat 3rom your 3urnace that is trying to 7eep your home +arm out8

45

causing your 3urnace to +or7 harder and losing money +ith energy costs.

*indo+ ,ips
*hile +e have already tal7ed a/out ho+ +indo+s a33ect the heat and air conditioning in your home8 it also is important to mention them as in ha/it usage. I3 you +ill /e using your +indo+s during the summer months to /ring in air8 do soJ ,his is a great +ay to /ring in 3ree8 3resh air to your home. %ut8 do not turn o33 the air and open the +indo+s. Instead8 open them once the e33ects o3 the air conditioning have +orn o33 and the home has started to heat up. ,his +ay8 you do not lose the /ene3its o3 all the +or7 your air has used. In addition8 during +inter months8 7eeping the drapes and /linds closed can signi3icantly lo+er the energy need 3or heat throughout your home especially during dar7 hours and colder periods. %ut8 you can /ene3it 3rom opening up those drapes +hen the sun is shining and allo+ing the home to get some 3ree heat 3rom that sunshine.

46

During the night8 the drapes +ill act as insulation to the +indo+s 7eeping heat in during the +inter and cool air in during the summer. In summer months8 i3 there is a /ree<e or i3 there is a temperature drop to a com3orta/le level8 ease o33 the air conditioning and let the cool air 3rom night cool do+n the home. In addition8 ma7e sure that you loc7 your +indo+s +hen they are closed. ,hat little e?tra push can help to 7eep the right temperature maintained.

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&hapter 8: The Thermostat

,here is another aspect o3 your home that needs care3ul consideration. ,hat is the thermostat. *hat temperature you set it at is really a personal com3ort situation. $et8 more and more8 people are 3inding that there is cost savings in using the right thermostat and the right level o3 com3ort to /oot. #or e?ample8 during the summer months8 do you have the air conditioning set lo+ enough that it 3eels com3orta/le to +ear a long sleeve shirt or pants4 Do you gra/ 3or a /lan7et4 ,his is a signal that perhaps you could raise the thermostat and still /e Auite com3orta/le. In the +inter8 you shouldn;t +ant to put the 3an on or +ant to +ear shorts. $ou can see ho+ 6ust lo+ering the heat a /it can save you a good deal o3 money. $et8 there is no magical num/er here. 1n3ortunately8 there is a great deal o3 money that can /e saved /y 6ust dealing +ith the heat in the summer or the cold in the +inter. $et8 you do not have to 3lip it o33 altogether to gain some /ene3its o3 e?tra money in your poc7et.

48

,he Eight ,emperature

#inding and setting your home at the right temperature is the 3irst goal. It is said that during the +inter8 setting the heat at 60 # degree is the /est starting point. In the summer months8 you goal is that o3 (6 # degrees. -very time that you can either move this num/er up or do+n 3or cost savings@ you can save a decent amount o3 money per t+o degree movement. ,here3ore8 i3 you are in the +inter months and you have your thermostat set at (2 # degrees normally8 i3 you can still 3eel com3orta/le /y lo+ering it to 60 # degrees8 you +ill /e a/le to save a good deal o3 money. In the summer8 7eep the air conditioning set at 6ust (6 # degrees and turn on a 3an. Doing this +ill pull out all o3 the humidity in the air and 7eep the temperature at a great level. I3 you can tolerate moving these more so8 you +ill save money. %ut8 /e+are. I3 you continuously are moving them up and do+n8 you are not doing yoursel3 any 3avors. In 3act8 i3 you get cold so you raise the air conditioning8

49

only to /ecome hot again and lo+er it8 you +ill /e +asting money. As the air in the home cools do+n@ it does not ta7e as much energy to 7eep it at that level. %ut8 i3 you raise the temperature and the home heats up8 the air conditioning needs to +or7 t+ice as hard to get it /ac7 do+n. ,his causes Auite a /it o3 money to /e lost in the turn. >ic7 and stay at the right temperature in the home and you can /ene3it 3rom energy savings.

>rogramming .elp
One thing that you really do +ant to ta7e into consideration is that o3 programma/le thermostats. ,hese are not too e?pensive. ,hey are pro/a/ly 6ust a 3e+ dollars more than a standard model and ma7e a large di33erence. *hat can they do4 #irst o338 they still +or7 the same as other thermostats to. *hen the home;s temperature changes so much so that there is a need to call to the air conditioning unit or the 3urnace to /alance it out8 they do so. $et8 they have additional 3eatures as +ell.

50

#or e?ample8 you can program them to turn on /e3ore you come home 3rom +or7. =et;s say that you are at +or7 most o3 the day and the 7ids are at school. ,here is no one in the home. *hy 7eep the heat on 3ull /last4 I3 the period o3 time is longer than a couple o3 hours8 these programma/le thermostats are a /lessing. $ou simply set the time in +hich you +ill /e home Fusually a/out an hour or so /e3ore soG and at that time they +ill 7ic7 on. %etter models +ill /e a/le to /e programmed 3or various days o3 the +ee7 too Fsuch as Saturdays you may /e home all day.G *hen the time comes to turn on8 they do and get the home to the right temperature. $ou do not notice any di33erence until you notice your heating or cooling /ills have dropped. $ou can also program them 3or di33erent temperatures at night8 +hen you are sleeping. %y raising the temperature in your home during the summer a couple o3 degrees8 or lo+ering it a couple o3 degrees in the +inter8 you can save a great deal o3 money. $ou do not need to remem/er ho+ to do this +hen it comes to using your programma/le timer in the thermostat as it +ill ta7e care o3 that 3or you.

51

I3 you are loo7ing to save money in energy costs8 installing a programma/le thermostat is one o3 the /est moves 3or you to ma7e. It is simple to install and easy to use. It +ill save you a good deal o3 money too.

52

&hapter 9: 6nergy ,tar: :nderstanding What $t is

.ave you heard o3 -nergy Star4 I3 you have not8 this is your 3riend 3or sure. I3 you are purchasing any ne+ unit 3or your home8 3rom a dish+asher or re3rigerator to the hot +ater tan7 and the 3urnace8 -nergy Star is something that you do +ant to ta7e 3ull advantage o3. ,his is a term8 a distinction that you should have on any o3 the appliances or ma6or systems +ithin your home. *hen a product is deemed to /e -nergy Star ready8 it is capa/le o3 providing the necessary service to you /ut through reduced energy costs. ,he -nvironmental >rotection Agency8 or ->A8 along +ith the 1S Department o3 -nergy is the sponsor o3 -nergy Star programs. ,heir goal is to help each person to save money as +ell as to help each o3 us to protect the environment /y using energy e33icient products and /y using energy /ene3iting practices.

53

,he -nergy Star program has /een a/le to help people to save Auite a /it o3 money. ,he ->A claims that in 222)8 Americans +ere a/le to save someplace around C12 /illion dollars /y using -nergy Star products and there3ore saving on their utility /ills. %ut8 it does not stop there. ,hey also claim that /y using these products8 -nergy Star has helped to avoid greenhouse gas emissions that +ould /e a/out the same as that o3 2! million cars in 222) alone. ,here3ore8 it is a good program to ta7e note o3. ,he program is in place to allo+ people to save money8 /ut ho+ much money can you actually save /y using -nergy Star products4 ,he ->A estimates that in most cases8 /y choosing an -nergy Star product over one that is not8 you can save a/out a third or more o3 your energy /ill +ith the product. In addition8 you help to cut do+n on greenhouse emissions /y a/out a third as +ell. ,he pro/lem +as that it seemed 3or a long time that to get an energy /ene3iting product you must give up some 3eatures to cut /ac7 on the use o3 your product. $et8 +ith -nergy Star8 the program +as designed to allo+ 3or all o3 the same products and services +ith no sacri3icing o3 the Auality o3 com3ort o3 the product /ut still saving money.

54

In $our &eeds
So8 ho+ does -nergy Star play a role in helping you to save money4 ,here are several +ays. In short8 you +ant to select services and products that o33er the -nergy Star seal o3 approval. ,here are several +ays that you can gain these /ene3its.

*hen >urchasing &e+ Appliances

#or e?ample8 i3 you are purchasing a ne+ appliance8 you can save a good deal o3 money /y purchasing a product that is -nergy Star approved. 5ost o3 us have seen the yello+ tags on appliances to sho+ us 6ust +hat the /ene3its to our energy /ill is i3 +e purchase this product. In order 3or an appliance to get this tag on it8 it must pass some pretty ama<ing tests to insure that it is e33icient enough to /e considered an -nergy Star product. ,he guidelines are set 3or each type o3 product

55

through the 1nited States Department o3 -nergy and /y the -nvironmental >rotection Agency. I3 you are loo7ing 3or a ne+ appliance8 such as a re3rigerator8 a +asher or dryer8 a dish+asher8 an oven8 a coo7 topany appliance 3or your home8 loo7 3or one that is -nergy Star approved as it +ill save you a great dela o3 money in the long run.

In A .ome
Something that has /een 6ust /ecoming availa/le is the a/ility to tap into -nergy Star /ene3its through your actual ne+ home purchase. As you +ill see in later chapters8 you can no+ purchase homes that are -nergy Star e33icient. I3 you do this8 you +ill save a great deal o3 money. =oo7 3or a home that has /een designed speci3ically 3or energy e33iciency and you +ill +al7 a+ay +ith /ene3its.

Other %ene3its
$ou can also go to the ->A;s +e/site to gain tools that +ill help you to design and 3i? pro/lems related to energy needs as +ell. $ou can 3ind ho+ to lo+er your

56

energy /ills +hile still providing a great deal o3 com3ort to you and to your 3amily. A /usiness can also 3ind /ene3its o3 using -nergy Star products. Dust as you can implement these products into a home8 they can 3it +ell into most /usinesses as +ell. Some times8 the re+ards here are /etter /ottom lines.

&hapter );: +utside The 7ome: Landscaping %or 6nergy /enefits

.ave you thought a/out the outside o3 your home 3or energy e33iciency4 =andscaping a home can /e done in such a +ay as to allo+ 3or /ene3its in the energy department. In 3act8 you can save a/out 2)9 o3 your household energy consumption +ith a landscaping design that incorporates 6ust the right placement o3 trees.

57

,here are many things that can /e done to improve your outdoor living area to 7eep you 3eeling 6ust as happy and content as it +ill in 7eeping your energy usage to a minimum. In 3act8 landscaping can do several things: It can help you to lo+er your heating and cooling costs dramatically. It can help you to protect your home too8 3rom +ind damage and sun 3ading Fsuch as +ith paintJG It can help to lo+er the costs related to the amount o3 +ater8 3uel and even the num/er o3 pest control products you need to use. It can help you to gain /ene3its such as less noise and even improve the air Auality in your home. All o3 this 3rom energy e33icient landscaping@ yes8 and it usually results +ith a great loo7ing yard too.

*hat $ou &eed ,o Do

So8 ho+ can you get this done correctly4 ,he Department o3 -nergy in the 1S says that i3 you place
58

6ust three trees surrounding your home8 you can save yoursel3 any place 3rom C122 to C2)2 on your energy /ills. ,his is /ecause o3 +hat a tree can do.

*inter
In the +inter time8 the right placement o3 a tree can 7eep out some o3 the cold8 /ut +ill still allo+ the +arm sunshine o3 the +inter day to stream in. I3 you have any idea o3 +hat +ind chill is8 you can see another /ene3it o3 trees. ,he +ind chill is the +ay that the +ind cools things do+n. In the +inter months8 the +ind chill is a secondary temperature. *hile the actual temperature can /e 22 degrees #8 the +ind chill can 7noc7 it do+n considera/ly8 ma7ing it 3eel as i3 it is much colder than it really is. *hen you add a tree8 shru/s or other structures outside o3 your home8 the +ind is stopped and can not hit the home8 there3ore reducing the +ind chill 3actor 3or your home. I3 you install +hat are called +ind/rea7s For any item that can stop the +ind /e3ore it hits the homeG you can reap /ene3its o3 up to '29 less 3uel consumption in heating your home. I3 you live in a very +indy area8 you
59

can lose even more8 up to one third8 o3 your +inter 3uel costs in this manner. F,his is as compared to a home +ithout these /ene3its.G

Summer
In the summer time8 you +ill reap the re+ards o3 cooler air. ,his happens due to evapotranspiration Fthe process o3 the tree moving and letting o33 +ater vaporG and shading 3rom the tree. It can lo+er the temperature up to nine degrees in this +ay. Another 7ey point to ma7e is that in a shaded area underneath a large tree8 the temperature can /e as much as 2) degrees # cooler than it is 6ust a/ove a layer o3 /lac7top on your street. All o3 this eAuals a/out 1)9 to up to )29 o3 lo+er need 3or air conditioning in the summer months. ,his can 7eep your costs do+n considera/ly. All o3 this 6ust 3rom a /eauti3ul loo7ing tree. In other +ays8 the landscaping that you do outdoors can 3ind /ene3its to your energy usage. It is easy to see that placing trees in the right locations can help. .ere are some other things to ta7e into consideration.

60

 5a7e sure that +ater drainage is draining a+ay 3rom your home +ith a natural landscape that moves a+ay 3rom the home. ,his +ill allo+ 3or /etter protection o3 your 3oundation. *hen it comes to installing a ne+ roo38 loo7 3or -nergy Star choices. In addition8 this is the per3ect time to consider solar panels and +hat they can do to lo+er the costs o3 your home. O3 course8 you can also purchase and use outdoor landscaping eAuipment and garage related tools that are -nergy Star approved too.

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&hapter )): 'lternative ,ources +f %uel

Are you loo7ing 3or a ne+ +ay to provide energy to your home4 In today;s +orld8 the race is on 3or the ne?t 3uel e33icient energy source. One thing that you are li7ely to do is to 7eep on eye out 3or +hat is ne+ +hen you are purchasing something ne+. #or e?ample8 let us say that you are loo7ing to purchase a ne+ hot +ater tan7. ,here are plenty o3 hot +ater tan7s that +or7 o33 o3 gas or even electricity. %ut8 this +ould /e a great time to consider a solar po+ered one as +ell. ,here are many appliances /eing made each year that o33er a ne+ and improved type o3 3uel source. $ou +ill 3ind these are more e?pensive8 in many cases8 than a standard tool. $et8 that does not mean they should not /e considered.

Alternative Options

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,here are many di33erent types o3 alternative 3uel options on the mar7et. #or e?ample8 one o3 the most +idely 7no+n and 3ast /ecoming popular type o3 alternative 3uel is that o3 solar po+ered 3uel. ,his type o3 3uel comes 3rom the sun8 a rene+a/le source that is also 3ree to use. ,here are plenty o3 solar po+ered products availa/le 3rom lighting 3i?tures 3or outdoors to solar po+ered hot +ater tan7s and much more. ,hese all +or7 in the same +ay. ,hey ta7e in the solar rays 3rom the sun during the day light hours and store them so that +hen you call 3or energy8 you can easily access it any time that it is needed. *hile they may cost more to purchase8 6ust consider the 3act that they really cost nothing to use. ,he /etter Auality products are even relia/le in areas +here there is not a lot o3 sunshine all day long either. $et8 /eyond solar po+er8 there are other 3uel sources that are coming a/out. ,here are cars and other appliances Fincluding your 3urnaceG that could soon /e run on corn po+er. Corn8 yes the stu33 you eatJ ,his too is another rene+a/le source o3 3uel.

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In some areas8 restaurants are getting their po+er 3rom 3uel that is directly related to +aste. %y /urning +aste8 in the right type o3 3acility o3 course8 there is the a/ility to /ene3it 3rom 3uel. Still8 consider +ater and +ind po+er. ,hese are natural and completely clean 3uel sources that are li7ely to /e used in our products 3or our homes 3or many years to come. In 3act8 some homes are /eing heated through a com/ination o3 these methods. #or e?ample8 an energy e33icient home can have +ater heated through solar po+er. ,his +ater is then circulated throughout the home8 3rom the 3loor /oards up8 to generate +armth throughout the home. It moves /ac7 to the solar area in a large loop to start all over again. I3 you are considering the purchase o3 a ne+ product or a ne+ appliance8 +hy not consider +hat these types o3 products can do 3or you4 *hile they may not /e readily availa/le every+here8 they are de3initely going to /e. In 3act8 /eing more readily availa/le is something that improves everyday.

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I3 you are loo7ing 3or an upgrade to a more energy e33icient 3uel source8 you +ill 3ind e?cellent products and companies installing them throughout the +e/. ,a7e some time to research. In 3act8 you may /egin to see some o3 these products at your local department store soon too.

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&hapter )*: The 6nergy 6fficient 1ew 7ome

,he -nergy Star program that +e tal7ed a/out in an earlier chapter also provides 3or -nergy Star ne+ homes. I3 you have a home that has /een certi3ied as an -nergy -33icient home8 then you are +ell on your +ay to saving a great deal o3 money on that home. ,hese homes are /ecoming more and more popular choices. ,hat;s /ecause people reali<e that the +ay that their home is laid out8 designed and landscaped all plays a large role in ho+ costly it +ill /e to po+er and run that home. ,here is no limit to the num/er o3 options that can /e played into here. I3 you are purchasing a ne+ home8 it is +ell +orth your time to consider loo7ing 3or or /uilding one that can /e considered -nergy Star certi3ied. *hat are they4 -nergy Star homes are homes that have met speci3ic guidelines as per the 1S -nvironmental >rotection Agency and through the 1S Department o3 -nergy. ,hese homes are actually a/out 1) percent more energy e33icient than those that have /een /uilt /y
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the 2226 International -nergy Conservation Code +hich is generally used.

*hat ,hey Can O33er

,here are plenty o3 /ene3its that can come 3rom an -nergy Star home. -ach home has to a/ide /y the guidelines set 3orth8 /ut the type o3 /ene3its that they o33er can still di33er 3rom one home to the ne?t. $ou may 3ind /ene3its such as: %etter insulation in the home;s structure. ,he construction has /een done in such a +ay as to ma7e it tighter and neatly 3itting. ,he duct +or7 is tight and /etter 3or energy /ene3it. ,he +indo+s on -nergy Star homes are usually a large plus as they are generally Auite high per3ormance in that they allo+ little to get in or out in the +ay o3 energy. ,he heating and air conditioning units are highly -nergy Star approved 3or energy e33iciency.
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 ,he lighting in the home as +ell outdoors is more energy /ene3icial. ,he appliances in the home are all -nergy Star approved appliances. -ven the home;s landscaping can help it to Auali3y 3or this certi3ication. *hen you purchase an -nergy Star home8 you are getting a home that has /een designed to meet speci3ic guidelines. *hat;s more is that you are sure to get the most out o3 this type o3 investment. ,here is no dou/t that these high Auality8 high per3ormance appliances and design 3eatures may cost more8 /ut they are designed in such a +ay as to pay o33 in the long run. O3 course8 purchasing a ne+ home or /uilding a ne+ home that is energy e33icient is good 3or your +allet and the environment. $et8 many people shy a+ay 3rom this as they thin7 that it is too comple?8 too strange or something that is too much +or7. $et8 this can not /e 3arther 3rom the truth. -nergy Star products are designed to /e /oth energy e33icient and

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user 3riendly. In 3act8 there is really no reason not to ta7e 3ull advantage o3 products li7e this.

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&onclusion
Is your home energy e33icient4 .ave you learned any +ays that you can /etter your home through this e: /oo74 $ou may have the 3eeling that you 6ust +ant to do everything in this /oo7 and all o3 a sudden reap the re+ards. %ut8 this is a costly process in that case. *hy not tac7le one pro6ect at a time 3inding and improving the e33iciency o3 your home one step at a time4 ,here are some small things that +ill ta7e only a 3e+ minutes to improve yet there are those pro6ects that can ta7e much longer. .o+ can you 3ind the right ones to do4 Eemem/er that +e +ent through and tal7ed a/out +hich +ere your /iggest energy dra+s. 1se that as a starting point. I3 +inter is on its +ay8 it pays to pay attention to the +indo+s in your home and the 3urnace. I3 summer i3 Auic7ly moving in8 thin7 a/out planting a 3e+ trees to save you countless o3 dollars over their li3etime. ,he /ottom line is that 3uel costs continue to rise. ,here is no la+8 rule or other 3actor that +ill /e s+ooping in to lo+er them. As much as +e li7e to complain a/out this8 the /est thing 3or us to do is to insure that +e are

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loo7ing 3or +ays to use the least amount o3 3uel as possi/le. *hen +e do that8 +e can 3ind many /ene3its overall in the +ay that our home loo7s and the +ay that it 3unctions. 5a7ing your home energy e33icient is a process and one that is de3initely +orth it every step o3 the +ay. Start no+ and 7eep +or7ing at it. Beep your money in your poc7et instead o3 out the crac7s in your 3loor and +indo+sJ

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