| With new developments happening all the time in | | | | requirements depending on your specific needs. |
| wind and solar power, there are many 'green' | | | | As a rule of thumb, the southern facing walls of |
| ways to save money and conserve energy. But | | | | your home will be the warmest. |
| what about other ways to fight rising energy | | | | Typically, your southern facing windows should |
| costs and dependence on fossil fuels. Within this | | | | remain uncovered to allow in the suns heat during |
| article you'll find some simple advice enabling you | | | | the winter months and should be shaded during |
| to get back to the basics to utilize the power of | | | | the summer months to block out these same |
| the sun to save money. There are many | | | | rays. For warmer climates you may choose to |
| low-cost methods of saving energy for every | | | | apply window tinting to the glass on the south |
| home and every home owner needs to know | | | | facing walls. |
| that passive solar homes have huge savings on | | | | It is commonly known that most heating and |
| energy bills. | | | | cooling home energy is lost through the windows |
| Some of the most basic concepts when | | | | and doors of the home. This is why it becomes |
| harnessing the power of the sun to save energy | | | | so important to conduct regular inspections of |
| costs come in the form of passive solar design | | | | your homes windows and doors. Look for worn |
| principles. If you are one of the few that is | | | | window or door flashing. Replace any loose or |
| currently preparing to build a new home, these | | | | worn seals and re-caulk at least every few years. |
| principles should be considered during the design | | | | Also remember to check the level of insulation |
| and planning stages. It's all about locations and | | | | you have in your attic and around flues and vent |
| directions. You will want to work with your | | | | ducts. |
| architect or home designer as this should be | | | | Another area to consider when using the sun to |
| considered the most important energy saving | | | | help cut energy costs is in lighting. Always |
| factors you'll face. | | | | consider the installation of skylights to cut down |
| If your like most people however, you're not | | | | on the use of electricity needed to light certain |
| currently in the process of planning or building a | | | | rooms. If you have room that always requires |
| new home. That's alright too. There are ways to | | | | you to turn on a light to see you may consider a |
| easily adapt these philosophies into your existing | | | | simple skylight to help illuminate the space. |
| home. Let's take a brief look at some of these | | | | Always use common sense and creativity when |
| cost saving energy ideas. | | | | looking around your house for ways to save |
| First, you'll need to determine your overall goals. | | | | money and conserve energy. You never know |
| Are you in a warm climate looking to keep your | | | | what other ways you may find specific to be |
| house cool, or are you in a cold climate needing to | | | | specific to your home and its' location and |
| keep your house heated? Every location on the | | | | direction. |
| planet will have specific demands and | | | | |