FXSTD – Alternative Energy Center

By: Jamie Green
With rising energy costs and depleting fossil fuels becoming more apparent, as well as the increased impact of global warming, many people are starting to look for ways to reduce energy usage.  While some things, such as turning off appliances when not in use, are standard knowledge, there are many things consumers can do that may not be apparent to them.  Today we will look at some of the various ways to conserve energy within the home.

In addition to adding proper insulation to your home, there is much you can do to increase your energy efficiency.  One small and inexpensive step that consumers can take is to replace carbon filament light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.  They fit into existing sockets and generate equivalent light while generating only a fraction of the electricity.  Caulking or weather stripping around doors and windows is another excellent way to reduce energy use.  In many homes, especially older homes, a great deal of heat or cool air is generated in an attempt to compensate for air entering the home through drafty windows and doors.  By preventing this airflow, you greatly reduce your energy use.

When it comes to heating and cooling devices, the use of an energy efficient model is the best way to save on energy use.  Taking care to not overheat or overcool your home is another excellent energy saver.  Keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 55 at night is the median temperature for winter energy efficiency, and the median summer temperature is 78 degrees in summer.  By replacing the air filters as needed in your heating and cooling system, you can also raise energy efficiency by as much as five percent.

The purchase and use of energy saving appliances is highly recommended for all homeowners and renters, as these appliances can use less than half of the energy needed by older models.  Other ways to save money on appliance usage include such things as washing clothes on the cold or warm cycle rather than using hot water.  Heating water is one of the biggest users of energy within a home.  Turn down the thermostat on your water heater and wrap it in an insulating jacket.  This simple change can save significant amounts of energy.

In truth, there are many ways to conserve energy from within your home.  The two most important things to do are to block outside air from entering your home and to turn off appliances when they are not in use.  These two things result in large amounts of wasted energy annually.  When combined with energy efficient appliances and appliance settings designed to use minimal energy, you can significantly lower both your environmental impact and your energy costs.  Following these tips can reduce your annual carbon dioxide emissions by thousands of pounds, which makes a significant change for the better in the environment.  As more people begin to take these steps, we can begin to truly move forward in our fight against global warming.