| For some people, home energy efficiency means | | | | thermostat of your water heater, and buying an |
| designing and building a new house that | | | | insulating blanket designed to wrap around it. Be |
| incorporates methods and materials that have | | | | sure that the refrigerator door doesn't stand open |
| been proven to conserve energy. Most of uses, | | | | and defrost it regularly to reduce the ice buildup |
| however, have to live in house or apartments | | | | that prevents the heat exchange system from |
| that already exist. How can we practice home | | | | working well. Make sure your oven door has a |
| energy conservation? | | | | tight seal, and plan ahead when you use it; bake |
| Think about the major ways we use energy. The | | | | several things at once rather than reheating it |
| biggest factor is space heating. Heat conservation | | | | repeatedly. Wash your clothes in cold or cool |
| is among the simplest, cheapest, and most | | | | water rather than hot. |
| effective ways to save energy in the home. | | | | Air dry your laundry, especially in the summer |
| Easy, surprisingly effective and relative | | | | when sun dried clothes is no pleasant to wear. |
| inexpensive measures include weather-stripping | | | | Some energy-efficient appliances can save |
| caulking, and adding layers of plastic to windows. | | | | substantial amount of energy. Air conditioners and |
| Insulating walls, floors, and ceilings increases the | | | | refrigerators with better condensers and heat |
| energy conservation potential. Simply lowering | | | | exchangers use one-half to one fourth as much |
| your thermostat, especially all night is a proven | | | | energy as older models. |
| energy and money saver. | | | | New improved furnaces can offer 95 percent |
| Water heating is the second major user of home | | | | efficiency, compared with conventional 70 percent |
| energy, followed by large electric or gas | | | | efficiency in older models. The payback period |
| appliances, such as stores, refrigerators, washing | | | | may be as little as two to three years if you |
| machine, and dryers. Careful use of these | | | | trade an old wasteful appliance for a newer, more |
| appliances can save significant amounts of energy. | | | | efficient one. |
| Consider using less hot water, lowering the | | | | |