How Energy-Efficient Is Your Home?
ef·fi·cien·cy ( i-'fi-sh-n-sE ) Function: noun; the ratio of the useful energy delivered by a dynamic system to the energy supplied to it
Household energy efficiency is all about the amount of energy generated your home compared to the amount of energy actually circulating there. How effective is your home in utilizing this energy properly?
Every month an increasingly larger portion of your hard-earned money is going towards payment of your energy bill. You need to make your home more energy cost-efficient. How can you realize more tangible energy benefits and make your energy dollars work more economically for you - translating into lower energy costs and greater energy savings?
Basic tips for making your home more energy cost-efficient:
- Keep your thermostat at a consistent level while you are at home. A setting of 70 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit will provide a comfortable room temperature for you and your family. Try lowering the thermostat during the day when nobody is at home, or at night while your family is sleeping, especially in the winter.
- Check for drafts coming through windows, doors, and chimneys. Proper weather proofing of these will ensure no unnecessary loss of heat.
- In cooler months, keep your drapes and blinds open to allow the warmth of the sun to contribute to heating your house. Conversely, keep air conditioning costs down in the warmer months by keeping your blinds and drapes closed to keep your home cooler.
- Maintain your furnace on an annual basis, and ensure the filters and airways are kept clean and free of blockages.