Is Your Home Wasting Energy?

There are a few basics that every homeowner should pay attention to when it comes to energy conservation in the home: heating and cooling, windows, insulation, electrical systems, roofing, and doors. If you keep these systems in optimal condition, and update with newer, energy saving materials whenever possible, then you should be in good shape. If you haven't evaluated the state of these areas of your home, then you should perform an energy audit to figure out where you can improve the energy efficiency of your residence. Energy conservation is a responsibility we have to the environment, to each other, and to ourselves. That being the case, here are some of the most common solutions when it comes to energy conservation and home improvements.

Install Thermal Replacement Windows
If your old windows are drafty, installing thermal replacement windows is one of the best home improvement decisions you can make. It's an investment that will pay for itself in short order with the increased energy savings. And, not only will you be improving your home from an energy conservation standpoint, but your thermal replacement windows will look better, require less maintenance, and increase the resale value of your home as well.

Replace Incandescent Light Bulbs with Fluorescent Bulbs
While the florescent bulbs cost more up front, they last at least 10 times longer that the old bulbs and use far less energy to produce the same amount of light, drastically reducing your energy bills. Also, changing less bulbs means you don't have to keep shelling out money for replacement bulbs, either. Some used to complain about the light quality of fluorescent bulbs, but the new generation of fluorescent bulbs give off a pleasant, soft light, and special bulbs can be purchased for places where you have dimming switches installed. Taking all that into consideration, it's clear that replacing your incandescents with fluorescents is one of the easiest, and best, methods of energy conservation you can employ.

Check Home Insulation
Poor insulation, from your attic on down to your basement and crawl space, is a big source of energy loss for your home. Improving or adding insulation to any area that needs it is going to reap big benefits when it comes to reducing energy bills and upping energy savings.

Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances
Old appliances, from refrigerators and dishwashers, on up to furnaces and air conditioning units, use massive amounts of energy compared to newer, high tech models. You might consider a full appliance overhaul, if you've got the means, or you can just replace the old appliances with new, energy efficient models, as they wear out. Either way, these new appliances pay for themselves over time in energy savings. Look for appliances with the Energy Star label, since they are specifically manufactured with energy conservation in mind.

Consider an Energy Audit
It's one thing for you to evaluate your home yourself for ways to improve energy efficiency and another to hire a pro to come do the job for you. Investing in an energy audit is well worth the money, since the auditor will investigate your home top to bottom, then draw up a list of the most important, and effective, steps you can take towards creating a home where energy conservation is the rule, not the exception.

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