As energy prices continue to soar, more and more people are looking for ways to save money. Add to this a growing concern for our impact on the world around us, and you have plenty of motivation for living in a more energy efficient way. Many would not consider home improvement projects as a way to do this, but there are actually several home improvement options to consider that will end up saving you money in the long run. These are energy efficient home improvements, and often the energy savings they provide far outweigh the cost of the project.

Simple Savers

If money is a major concern and you do not wish to take out a home loan to help with home improvement projects, there are several simple things you can do that cost very little but will lower your energy bills. For instance, you can install more insulation in your attic to lower your heating and cooling bills by up to 20 percent. You can also do this in your basement or crawlspace if you have one. A storm door on your entry door is another inexpensive energy saver. Installing compact fluorescent light bulbs is yet another quick and easy way to lower your energy bills.

While heating and electric bills are, perhaps, the most commonly thought of energy bills, your water bill is another place where you can save money and reduce your impact on the environment. You can save up to $32 a year by installing a high efficiency showerhead in your shower. A bathroom or kitchen faucet aerator is another addition that can help your house to be more energy efficient.

Bigger Projects to Help Save Energy

If you have a little extra money or are willing to take out a loan, there are some larger projects you should consider if you are looking to save energy. One of the biggest energy savers can be installing new windows. Old, drafty windows literally suck the heat out of a home. Newer models are better insulated, have several layers of glass, and often come with promises of reduced energy bills. If you are going to install new windows, look for ones with Energy Star ratings. The same is true for entry doors. Having a drafty entry door saps as much energy from your home as cutting a hole in the wall, yet many people never consider the impact their drafty doors make on their energy bills.

The furnace and air conditioner are other items to consider replacing when looking to save on energy bills. Energy efficient HVAC systems are pricey, but if you live in the United States you can get a substantial tax credit if you install one of these systems, as the government is working to improve energy efficiency across the nation.

A tankless water heater is another energy saving home improvement you could consider. The average household spends around 20 percent of its energy money each year on heating water. A tankless water heater heats the water instantly, so there is no need to continuously heat large amounts of water. In a traditional water heater, the constant storage of hot water leads to around 20 percent of energy loss. Since this energy is not lost with a tankless model, this money would be saved.

Having an energy efficient house can be as expensive or affordable as you choose. Even if you do not have the money for the big improvements, doing the little things to reduce your energy consumption will lower your bills and help reduce your impact on the environment. As we all work together to keep our world a green, beautiful place for future generations, consider what you can do around your own home to make a difference.



By: Martha Vasquez

So you want to reduce the energy consumption in your house, but you want to make as few changes to your lifestyle as possible? If so, you’re at the right place. Whether you want to help your family budget or want to lessen your impact on the environment, there are quite a few things you can do to reduce your power needs.

Start reducing your bills from looking closely into your heating and cooling systems. Replace them if they are old or in poor condition, or perform regular maintenance if not. Especially, make sure that the air conditioning filters are clean – this is the top one reason for energy loss.

When you’re done with the heating and air conditioning, the next step is to make sure your house doesn’t have any leaks and drafts. Especially, make sure that your storm windows are in good condition. Use them to reduce the temperature loss. Also, make sure that your doors and windows close tightly. They are major sources of energy loss.

Use the best thermostat you can afford. Every dollar spent on it means five dollars saved per year on lower energy bills. Also, make sure that you place it properly – far from extremely hot or cold areas. You may also turn it up a bit in the summer and turn it a few degrees down in the winter. You won’t notice the change, but your energy bills will fall another bit.

Do not cling to your old appliances – old dishwashers or refrigerators are truly terrible energy hogs. New models with the Energy Star certificate can use even three times as little energy as their older counterparts.

Remember that the water heater is probably set above the recommended 120 degrees. Turn it down or even better, use cold water during laundry if only you can. This will negate the risk of burns and thus get rid of a big problem for every parent.

The “sleep mode” is not the same as turning the appliance down. Perform hard power downs on any electronic appliance in the house when you don’t use it. Keeping them on will cost you quite a bit per year. If your appliances have Energy Star features, make sure you enable them. It would be a pity to have energy saving options and never use them.

You can also save a lot of money by installing fluorescent bulbs. They cost a bit more than the standard ones, but they use much less energy and they last twice as long as the old bulbs. In short, they pay off very quickly and can help you reduce your electricity bills by a few hundred dollars.

By: Andrew W John

Almost daily, you hear news reports about the increasing numbers of homes in foreclosure. What you don’t hear reported is how increasing energy costs are so often the cause of this devastating problem.

Are you losing your home because your can’t afford to pay your energy bills and your mortgage? If you aren’t facing foreclosure can you afford temperature settings that keep you feeling comfortable inside your home?

During the recent U.S. housing boom, builders completed homes quickly. Interest rates were low and investors eager to cash in on high returns on investments. Unless you were knowledgeable about energy-efficient home features and made sure they were included during construction, chances are your new home wastes a lot of energy. It’s also likely you don’t feel comfortable in your home due to uneven room temperatures, drafts, cold floors, etc.

There was a time when home air conditioning was a luxury. Now it seems more like a necessity. Average temperatures in North America have risen over the last 20 years, remaining high for longer periods and forcing people to turn on air conditioners powered by electricity to survive excessive exposure to heat.

Rate caps that once held down electricity costs are ending countrywide. Maryland residents recently experienced the shock of a 70% electric rate increase. Pennsylvania residents will receive the first of several rate increases starting in 2008.

The mortgage industry facing huge losses from foreclosures is working with homeowners to reduce monthly mortgage costs. A reduction in mortgage costs may help, but this is only a temporary solution. Moving to another home, unless it is energy efficient will not solve the problem.

The best solution is to implement energy saving features in your home as quickly as possible. This will not only be good for you financially, it will also be good for the planet.

©Siti Crook, 2007

By: Energy Efficient Homes Team™

 Home energy saving tips are not just for people with old homes that suck up energy because they haven’t been well insulated or the electricity hasn’t been upgraded in 40 years. Home energy saving tips are not just for people who live in nine bedroom homes with bowling alleys in the basement. Home energy saving tips are for everybody who lives in a home.

A few easy home energy saving tips can be found in your grocery store. The next time you are there check out the light bulb aisle. You should notice that the shape of light bulbs is really changing. Those new light bulbs are actually long lasting, energy saving bulbs that burn brighter with less wattage. Replacing all of your bulbs with the new energy saving bulbs is an inexpensive home energy saving tip that anybody can do.

Have you ever noticed that when you turn off your television the cable box stays on, or the other way around? When you turn off your computer, do you always turn off the monitor, printer, modem, and all the peripherals that go with it? Do you have a habit of leaving your front porch light on all night just to add a little light to the bedroom in case you have to get up for something? All of these things are using up unnecessary energy.

Some of the best home energy saving tips are the easiest ones. Put your television and computer, and all of the things that go with them on power strips that have a switch. When you turn off the TV or computer, hit the switch on the power strip and turn off all of the peripherals, too. Turn off the front porch light and open the curtains, the moon and stars will let enough light in to see by if you wake up in the middle of the night. These few, easy home energy saving tips will not only save you money on your energy bills but they will also save energy for the good of the ecology. Do your part for the going green effort, save some energy in your home.



By: Anand