Low Energy Homes
Low energy homes are all the rage nowadays. Finding ways to reduce
energy consumption in the home is both good for the environment
and good for your wallet. If you’ve been told that only newly
constructed homes can be low energy homes then you’ve been given
the wrong information!
While it’s true that incorporating passive solar heating and
other energy saving features into a home’s design is a terrific
energy-saving plan, there’s plenty we can all do right now to
turn our homes into low energy homes. Not doing so simply doesn’t
make sense anymore.
Low energy homes start with you
Something you can do this very moment is turn off the power to
lights and electronics that don’t need to be on. Leaving lights,
radios, computers, televisions and ceiling fans on when you’re
not in the room is a bad habit we’ve all gotten into. Most of
the time we don’t even realize these household items are on, but
your home’s electric meter knows. It’s outside madly spinning
around while you sit inside oblivious to your ever-increasing
electric bill.
Believe it or not, your electric company encourages low energy
homes. Most offer free home energy audits and if you haven’t already
done so, it’s worth learning all the different ways you can lower
the energy consumption in your home.
Low energy homes keep conditioned air where it belongs
Low energy homes are homes that don’t allow warmed or cooled
air to escape through cracks around windows and doors, through
the attic or through windows. Maybe you don’t realize this, but
heating and cooling your home accounts for the biggest chunk of
energy consumption. So keep this precious warmed or cooled air
inside where it belongs.
Start by making sure your attic has an adequate amount of insulation
to achieve the highest possible R-value. The higher the R-value,
the more effective the insulation. You can also insulate around
plumbing, air ducts, fans and anything else that comes into the
attic or the basement from a conditioned area. Then caulk and/or
weather-strip around doors and windows and repair broken windows.
Low energy homes take advantage of technological advances. They
make use of programmable thermostats that automatically adjust
the home’s temperature even when you’re not home. Increasing the
thermostat in the warmer months and lowering it during cooler
months even by just a few degrees makes a huge difference in the
amount of energy being consumed.
Here are a few more tips for creating low energy homes:
• Turn down the water heater’s thermostat.
• Insulate your electric water heater by wrapping it.
• Unplug the extra refrigerator, especially if it’s in a hot garage.
• When not using the fireplace, close the damper.
• Wash clothes in cold water rather than hot.
• Only run the dishwasher and washing machine for full loads.
• When you’re not home turn the a/c and water heater off.
• Replace appliances with energy efficient models.
Here's what I did over the years, to make my home more
energy efficient:
Installed New Low E Vinyl Windows-1990
Placed 12" of insulation under all floors, and wrapped all
water pipe-1990
Placed 36" of loose insulation in all ceilings-1990
Installed Attic Fan with Automatic Thermostadt-1990
Installed Heat Pump with Programmable Thermostadt-1995
Installed New Energy Efficient foam core steel front-2003
Replaced overhead lights with new Fluorescent Fixtures-2003
Replaced all conventional light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent
Bulbs-2003
Installed drip irrigation system in yard-2003
Replaced my old water heater with a newer Energy Efficient model-2005
Results:
My electricity bill went down with every improvement.
I estimate my electricity bill is approximately 40% lower than
it would be otherwise.
I have already paid back my investments in windows, doors, insulation,
and heat pump, through savings.
The good news is that my savings go up whenever electricity costs
raise.
Developing new habits can go far towards turning ordinary homes
into low energy homes. So get started. You really can notice a
difference in just a month!
More info on Low Energy Homes
Saving energy in
your current home
Energy
Star Appliances
Zero
Energy Home In Norman OK
