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Increasing Home Energy Efficiency

By
Home Inspector with INDOOR MICROBIAL SPECIALIST HI-80 & MRSA1895

InterNACHI advises that energy-efficient homes require less energy to perform household functions as homes that are less energy-efficient. There are many adjustments that homeowners can make to reduce the amount of energy required by their homes.


Interesting facts about energy consumption in the United States and Canada:

  • The United States is the world's largest consumer of energy, and the world's seventh largest consumer of energy per capita.
  • Canada consumes more energy per capita than the United States.
  • Buildings account for 72% of all energy consumed in the United States.
  • 18% of all emissions in the United States comes from operating homes. 
  • In the average household, the TV is left on stand-by for 17 hours per day.

Why make your home more energy-efficient?

  • Federal, state, utility and local jurisdictions' financial incentives, such as tax breaks, are very advantageous in most parts of the U.S.
  • It saves money. It costs less to power a home that has been converted to be more energy-efficient.
  • It increases indoor comfort levels.
  • It reduces our contributions to climate change. Many scientists now believe that excessive energy consumption contributes significantly to global warming. Programmable thermostat
  • It reduces pollution. Conventional power production introduces pollutants into the air that find their way into the soil and water supplies.

Heating and Cooling   As much as half of the energy used in homes goes toward heating and cooling. The following are a few ways that energy bills can be reduced through adjustments to the heating and cooling systems:

  • Add insulation to the building envelope (walls, floors and ceiling) to bring the home up to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-recommended limits for the climate zone in which the home is located.
  • Insulate heating ducts. Up to 40% of energy can be lost in uninsulated heating ducts routed through unheated space. This means that up to 45 cents of every dollar spent on heating can be wasted.
  • Install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans can be used in place of air conditioners, which require large amounts of energy.
  • Periodically replace air filters in air conditioners and heaters.
  • Set thermostats to an appropriate temperature. Specifically, they should be turned down at night and when no one is home. In most homes, about 2% of the heating bill will be saved for each degree that the thermostat is lowered for at least eight hours each day. Turning down the thermostat from 75°F to 70°F, for example, saves about 10% on heating costs.
  • Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat saves money by allowing heating and cooling appliances to be automatically turned down during times at which no one is home and at night. Programmable thermostats contain no mercury and, in some climate zones, can save up to $150 per year in energy costs.
  • Install a wood stoves or a pellet stove. These are more efficient sources of heat than furnaces.
  • At night, curtains drawn over windows will better insulate the room.

 

For more information relative to home inspections visit: HOME INSPECTOR USA

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Comments (2)

Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Another great post!  Thanks.....   I am glad I discovered you.

Jan 28, 2010 07:03 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great tips for the home owner what a great time to write this post when Energy Efficiency is top on everyone's mind.

Jan 28, 2010 07:07 AM