Continuing with our homeowner tip series: 10 ways to be energy efficient. There are two main ways to save energy, but the two biggest terms are energy efficiency and energy conservation. Energy efficiency is using energy more efficiently such as swapping out light bulbs for more efficient ones. Energy conservation is reducing energy by a behavioral change, such as turning off a light.
Benefits of Energy Efficiency:
- Reducing household energy bills
- Healthier indoor and outdoor environment
Your Home’s Energy Use:
- 42% of your home’s energy use is towards space heating
- 18% towards water heating
- 24% towards other
- 6% towards cooling
- 5% towards lighting
- 5% towards refrigeration
What you can do as a homeowner:
- Make sure your appliances and heating/cooling systems are properly maintained (check owner manuals for recommended maintenance)
- Turn off electronics when not in use
- Use sensors, dimmers, or timers to reduce lighting use
- Switch your ceiling fan to run in a counter-clockwise direction in the summer and clockwise in the winter
- Close exterior doors and windows tightly when cooling or heating your home
- Change furnace filters at least every 3 months to keep your system running at peak performance
- Close shades and blinds to keep the sun from overheating your home
- Don’t block air vents with curtains or furniture
- Replace standard light bulbs with energy efficient (CFL) bulbs
- Air dry laundry and dishes
