I spent this weekend looking for leaks. Leaks of air and heat around my home. Energy conservation is cool now, but every fall I perform this drill. It wasn’t until late tonight that I learned of a service that could have saved my weekend: www.GoGreenEC.net Go Green Energy Consulting. They have a thermal camera that shows the leaks in your home, put a ‘blower door’ on your house to push air out of the leaks and then they measure all the appliances and outlets. Here are some good tips on their website:
Do It Yourself
We really mean it when we say everyone can start saving today. Due to high demand for their services, our HERS certified technicians may not be able to make it out to your home the day you call. In the meantime, here are 8 simple energy-saving tips that you can do yourself!
1. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs.
Replacing your light bulbs is a no-brainer. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) conveniently fit into the same light sockets as their traditional incandescent counterparts. The difference is that they consume less than one-third as much electricity AND last at least 6 times as long! Also, the price of CFL’s has dropped significantly, so you can find them for as cheap as 99¢ per bulb. So change out your bulbs and start saving today!
2. Install a programmable thermostat.
Traditional dial thermostats are yesterday’s technology. Installing a programmable thermostat take about 10 minutes, costs about $ ___, and can save you as much as___.
3. Make simple changes to your water heater.
Unless your house is new, chances are you do not have an insulated water heater. This essentially means that you are paying to heat the water in the tank, but much of that heat is escaping out of the tank’s metal shell. One simple solution is to buy an insulating blanket that wraps around the heater. Such a product will run you about $45, and can save you up to ___ per month on energy!
Also, be sure to check the temperature of your water heater. It should never be above 120 degrees. Would you want to shower in 130° water?? Simply adjusting the dial down to a reasonable temperature can lead to significant energy savings.
4. Use the sun’s power to your advantage.
You don’t need to install solar panels in order to utilize the sun’s energy. For instance, when the sun shines through your window, heat is naturally being transferred into your home.
5. Be aware of “phantom charge.”
6. Change the filter on your air conditioner regularly.
7. Invest in an attic fan.
8. Replace your old appliances.
Refrigerator, washing machine, dish washer
Cool stuff…
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