We all want to do our part to save energy and be good stewards of the environment. A big part of this starts right at home and the best place to begin is with a home energy assessment. This will expose the parts of your home that use the most energy and suggest the best ways to rectify the issues and reduce energy. You can easily tackle this yourself or call in your utility company or an independent energy auditor (using special test equipment). Plenty of help can also be found at energysavers.gov.

Assessment tips for the do-it-yourselfer

Grab a clipboard and pen and let’s get going:

Check for air leaks throughout your home, starting with the most obvious culprits, the windows. Then check around the doors, plumbing fixtures, lighting and electrical outlets (especially if located on an outside wall), switches, ceilings and walls.

Check your appliances and heating and cooling systems for their Energy Star stickers and see that they are all operating properly and well maintained (check any owner’s manuals if needed). Make sure your HVAC system uses a programmable temperature control device. For the techie-types, there's even Internet thermostats (Wi-Fi).

Check for adequate insulation throughout, especially if an older home. Look in the basement or crawlspace for flooring insulation along with the attic. Although difficult to check visually, walls are very important as well. To learn more and determine just how much insulation you need in your part of the country, visit energysavers.gov.

Check for open fireplace dampers as well as any laundry shutes or pet doors.

Determine your family’s lighting needs and look for ways to help control usage such as dimmers, sensors or timers.

How We Use Energy in Our Homes

As you can see below, the biggest portion of our energy consumption is in heating our homes. The following breakdown is credited to the 2010 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 2.1.1 Residential Primary Energy Consumption:

• Space Heating - 45% (This is nation-wide – the first 2 items could be reversed in the hotter climates.)
• Space Cooling - 9%
• Water Heating - 18%
• Computers and Electronics - 6%
• Lighting - 6%
• Other - 5%
• Refrigeration - 4%
• Cooking - 4%
• Wet Cleaning - 3%
• Since home heating is one of the most costly systems, you’ll want to check out the more obvious components first, such as well-sealed duct-work, clean air filters, and an energy efficient control device. You can learn about different types of thermostats and their features by visiting here.

Your whole-house action plan

Now that you know where your home is losing energy it’s time to plan a course of action to rectify the various issues. You’ll want to tackle projects based on the most urgent needs and your budget. Keep in mind that the return on savings on your utility bills are more long-term and will be seen for many years into the future. And even if you plan on selling your home, a more energy-efficient home will bring more value and a higher price.

 Here are some questions to ask yourself to help formulate a plan:

• How much money do you currently spend on energy?
• Where are your greatest energy losses occurring?
• Can you tackle the necessary improvements yourself or do you need to hire a contractor?
• How much time do you have for maintenance and repairs?
• Will the energy-saving measures provide additional benefits for your family such as increased comfort from installing more insulation or energy-efficient double-paned windows?
• How long will it take for an investment in energy-saving improvements to pay for itself in utility bills?
• How long do you plan to own your current home, or how much will the improvements add value in a sale?
• Last but not least, what is your budget and are these items that can be done all at once, or spread out over time?

Smart Meters and Time-Based Electricity Rates

Smart meters and home energy management systems permit you to program how and when your home uses energy. If you are able to schedule your power use to off-peak hours - such as running the dishwasher late in the evening - these programs can help reduce your energy bills while helping your utility company as well.

Smart meters can also be used with other energy management systems such as web-based tools that your utility provides, or special devices that can be installed in your home. Smart meters can display your home energy use and help you determine ways to save energy. Some will even allow you to remotely adjust your thermostat or turn appliances off.

Remember to look at your home as an integrated system with many components that must work together to provide the most energy efficient living environment. If we all did our part imagine what could be saved as a country…

One of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to save on heating and cooling costs as alluded to earlier, is to simply replace the thermostat. If you do not currently have a programmable unit, this alone can save up to 10% off your annual utility bills. To learn about the various types and how they might fit your particular situation, take advantage of this appropriate online guide by clicking here now. 

Have a blessed day,

G. Plummer