| With the rising cost of living among many areas in | | | | thermostat setting or purchase a simple device |
| the United States today, 'green' living has become | | | | that allows a heater to be configured for timed |
| one way that homeowners can reduce living | | | | heating instead of trying to maintain a set |
| costs and expenses by completing simple projects | | | | temperature all day and night. Homeowners can |
| and by thinking through purchases. There are | | | | also purchase simple and inexpensive insulating |
| many ways to decrease the amount of electricity | | | | blanket kits to further add to energy savings and |
| your household uses, and products available to | | | | reduce heat loss. The same principle can also be |
| help you achieve lower bills in the future. | | | | added to water pipes that run throughout the |
| The best way to save electricity is not to use it, | | | | home as un-insulated hot water pipes force your |
| and therefore a household must adjust behaviors | | | | heater to work harder. |
| and habits that contribute to high energy costs. | | | | Another large and simple area that is often |
| Leaving on a television in an unoccupied room is | | | | overlooked is the heating and insulation system of |
| an unnecessary use of electricity, and turning of | | | | your home. Ensure that your windows are well |
| lights and other electrical components can greatly | | | | sealed, and re-caulk them if necessary. You can |
| reduce the amount of electricity your home uses. | | | | use a candle to determine if there are any leaks |
| Furthermore, taking a ten minute shower instead | | | | or drafts around windows or doors. Furnace filters |
| of a twenty or thirty minute one reduces the | | | | are also important, as a clogged filter forces your |
| amount of energy you use heating water, and | | | | furnace or heating system to work harder than |
| unplugging items eliminates 'phantom' energy | | | | necessary to force air throughout the home and |
| usage (electricity consumption from units that are | | | | can lead to an unnecessary strain and wear on |
| not even operating). | | | | the system itself. Many older homes also lack the |
| The most obvious and long term way to reduce | | | | proper insulation in spare rooms such as attics, |
| energy use is to continually buy appliances that | | | | where it is fairly simple to increase heat retention |
| have high energy efficiency themselves. An old or | | | | by adding insulation. There are also products |
| dilapidated water heater or furnace can greatly | | | | available that use NASA's Temper Shield |
| diminish the overall efficiency of your home due | | | | technology that significantly improves insulation |
| to the simple fact that you use it so often. Be | | | | quality and effectiveness. |
| sure to look at the energy ratings of any | | | | No matter what route you as a homeowner |
| equipment you plan to buy before making a | | | | choose, preparing your home to be the most |
| decision. Also, while light bulbs may not seem to | | | | energy efficient unit possible can be quite simple if |
| be a large part of energy consumption, a normal | | | | you keep in mind some of the tips described |
| incandescent bulb converts only 5% of electricity | | | | above. Most of the time the steps needed to |
| into light, while a compact fluorescent light bulb (or | | | | increase a households' energy efficiency are |
| CFL) can convert up to 20%. | | | | simple enough to be classified as a Sunday |
| There are also simple steps that the average | | | | project and can be completed in a few hours. |
| homeowner can take to help the process along. A | | | | However, as always, be sure to consult a |
| homes water heater is a great place to start. If | | | | professional when completing any tasks that |
| you find that you always have more than enough | | | | require additional expertise, and don't be afraid to |
| hot water, you can lower your water heaters' | | | | ask for advice. |