Building an Energy Efficient Home

by Marcus Pickett

Efficiency is an important concept in today’s world. At work,it makes you more productive. In the household,it makes everyone more organized. It makes chores go faster,schedules more structured,and it even allows cars to conserve on costly fuel. It’s all about becoming more effective and less wasteful. Therefore,why not apply the same cost-effective concept to your house? An energy efficient home not only saves you big bucks over time,it also does its part to preserve our environment. But where do you begin? Lots can be done to reduce our wasteful ways,but here are some simple improvement ideas,both big and small,to help your house become more thrifty.

Energy Efficient Upgrades
First of all,before making any investments,schedule an energy audit. It’s often a free service provided by your utility company wherein a professional gives your house a thorough inspection. Afterwards,they sit you down and tell you where you’re being the most wasteful. Sometimes it’s as easy as turning off an extra lamp during prime consumption hours (4:00-6:00 p.m.),but other times you may need to think about energy efficient upgrades.
Appliances:The most common “gas-guzzlers”in the house are your appliances. Therefore,to generate an energy efficient home,it’s always smart to invest in EnergyStar products. An EnergyStar fridge,dishwasher,or washer/dryer helps to conserve on water,power,and electricity.
Electricity:Another big money-waster is incandescent light bulbs:they eat a lot of power and burn out quickly. On the other hand,compact fluorescent bulbs are a great energy efficient upgrade since they can save you up to 80% on your electric bill. Plus,you won’t have to replace them every few months.
Water:There’s nothing worse than wasting water. H2O is a valuable commodity,especially in arid regions that are susceptible to drought. So investing in low-flow fixtures for your bathroom (like showerheads and toilets) or drip irrigation systems for your lawn can help to conserve the environment and your water bill.

Simple Maintenance
But you don’t have to spend a lot of time and money to create an energy efficient home. Some simple routine maintenance can help cut down on unnecessary utility costs. For instance,when was the last time you defrosted your freezer? If the ice is over 5mm thick,it could be working overtime to keep things cold. Also,cleaning and replacing your furnace filter every 3 months not only reduces allergens in the air,it also gives your HVAC unit a break. Another common problem working against an energy efficient home is improper sealing. Repair all those leaky taps,caulk those drafty windows,and make sure your oven and fridge close all the way to avoid escaping energy loss. Then the next big project is insulation. There are lots of areas to insulate around the house (attic,walls,ceiling,roof,hot-water pipes),so this may be a long-term project. But just take one morning every month to add insulation to one particular location in order to ensure a high R-value and instant money savings.

Everyday Reminders
Of course there are little things you can do everyday that make a big difference. For instance,when washing your clothes,don’t overload the appliances:it requires extra water and longer periods of electrical usage. Also,when you use the dryer,clean the lint trap after every load. And even if you don’t have an EnergyStar appliance,there are still ways to establish an energy efficient home. Make sure your dishwasher if full before you use it. Adjust the fridge to a modest temperature setting,make sure the on/off cycle works,and vacuum the coils every once and awhile. Turn your water heater to a warmer setting (no more than150 degrees Fahrenheit):it conserves power and lowers the chance of scalded skin. And if nothing else,close your drapes to block direct sunlight and close off unheated areas of the house (guest rooms,basement,and attic) in order to control,contain,and maintain your house’s interior temperature.