Making your Home Energy efficient

Turning the lights of when they are not in use is the most common stpe which people partake in order to conserve energy. While most people do it with good intentions, this gesture to the environment doesn't make a very big splash, when you consider that Lighting only conusmes 12% of houselhold energy.

Energy conservation is the practice of reducing the amount of energy used while yielding a similar end use. That's the key, turning the lights off doesn't give us a similar end use. We are literally in the dark at that point.

Why energy conservation?

It is an advantageous practice that results in personal security, financial gain, national security, human comfort and environmental care. Let's face it, the majority of peopel who want to be green are not solely doing it for the eco benefit, the direct impact is how much green their saving by going green.

If you are a consumer, you are likely to develop plans to have an enery efficient home. The primary reason is for you to reduce energy expenses in order to save on your utility bills and at the same time, feel good about the environmental value.

The residential sector, which include private residences, apartments, dormitories, single-family homes and the like, also need to practice energy conservation in fact, one of the most efficient places to start energy conservation is right at your very home.

On a bigger scale, energy conservation is a factor of energy policy. Based on supply and demand, there will arise a need to increase the supply of energy when there are many consumers who use the same. The more demand, the more strain on limited supply (with current energy sources), the higher the price. This is why conserving lessens the demand and keeps prices for energy low.

The amount of energy used by homes across the globe varies according to its location. On the average, approximately one-half of the energy used by the residential sector in the United States is expended on space conditioning.

According to statistics, home energy consumption averages 44 percent on space conditioning, 13 percent on water heating, 12 percent on lighting, 8 percent on refrigeration, 6 percent on home electronics, 5 percent on laundry appliances, 4 percent on kitchen appliances, and 8 percent on other uses.
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Imagine the savings that you will see when you practice home energy conservation at all times for a few months. In the long run when you get to compute your usual energy bills to the energy bill you have when you strictly follow home energy conservation, you will regret the fact that you have just recently started practicing it.

Put an end to your procrastination to make the necessary home improvments for a more energy efficient home. The best way to do this is to make a home energy checklist for action.

Here are some of the things that you can incorporate in your checklist:

1. Insulate your home
2. Change leaky windows
3. Seal leaks that you know of and search for some possible leaks.
4. Assess your heating and cooling system regularly.
5. Have your heating and cooling systems tuned up in the fall and spring.
6. Replace inefficient and old appliances.
7. Install a clock thermostat.
8. Plan an Energy Audit for your home.
9. Separate your utility bills and target greater energy conservation on the biggest bill.
10. Purchase a water-heater blanket, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and compact fluorescents, as needed.
11. Start using energy-saving settings on clothes dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
12. Clean or change air-conditioner, furnace, and heat-pump filters.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, you can save from 30 to 40% on energy cost if you follow these ways.