Electricity's Root Source.

How does your state make electricity?

Categories of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. 

18 Ways You're Accidentally Wasting Energy.

Example video of roof L-bracket.

Hardware kit: Microflashing hardware.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAEFJcR8Au0

Two NREL Reports Track Evolving Costs of Standalone Photovoltaics and PV-Plus-Storage.

Bigger than a soccer arena, it was recognized as the World’s Most Powerful Battery by Guinness World Records in 2005.

41 ways to lower your electric bill.

1. Install solar panels: This option may not be for everyone for its somewhat costly measures, but there’s nothing better than running on solar power for the environment and for your wallet. If you wish to cut your energy savings by more than 75%, this is the way to go.

2. Get a windmill: Well, this one might be tricky,  but if you’re in a position to do this, planet earth will give you a big  thumbs up. Naturally created energy is not only good for the  environment, but once set up cost are accounted for, it costs you  nothing.

3. Keep your temperature steady: Set your thermostat  2 degrees lower in the winter and 2 degrees higher in the summer. 72-74  degrees in the summer and 70-72 degrees in winter are suggested  temperatures to set your thermostat to.

4. Check out energy saving apps: Apps like  kill-ur-watts will not only keep track of how much energy you use, but  give tips, advice, and resources to saving moolah each month on your  energy bill.

5. Insulate your water heater: Adding a little extra  love around your water heater can return huge savings. It’s estimated  your fridge and water heater are the prime energy suckers in the home.

6. Tune up your fridge: Having your fridge receive regular maintenance checks will keep the coils running clean, saving you hundreds of dollars a year.

7. Install a low-flow restrictor: Suppressing the amount of water used will help your hot water heater from sucking more energy out of your pocket.

8. Install dimmer switches: Adjusting the amount of  light you need will not only set a certain mood, but will allow you to  use the most appropriate amount of energy.

9. Wash clothes on cold: When you add hot water to anything, you’re enlisting the help of your water heater.

10. Use effective cook ware: Glass cookware cooks better than aluminum or others.

11. Thaw food: Having food thawed before cooking, will not only save time, but help reduce the amount of heat it takes to fully cook.

12. Regularly maintain your AC: Keeping your AC tuned and clean will ensure it runs as efficiently as possible.

13. Change your air filters regularly: Dirty air filters clog free flowing air, and make your AC work harder.

14. Close your chimney flue: If you have a wood burning fireplace, make sure it’s closed in the summer.

15. Air dry dishes: Instead of running the dishwasher, try air drying.

16. Insulate your garage door: Adding insulation to your garage door will keep heat and cool air in.

17. Check your weather strips: Energy savings could  be seeping right out the front door with air leaks. Checking or  replacing worn weather strips can help save on energy costs.

18. Clean your windows: Allowing as much natural sun to come through will heat up the house.

19. Cook on a fire pit: Barbequing is a great past time. However, try doing Dutch-oven cooking once in a while.

20. Reduce microwave use: If you can eat more salads, fruits, and vegetables, you’re not only being healthier, using less energy to cook.

21. Use fans over air conditioner: If you can manage delaying turning on the AC, go for it. Same goes in the winter months. Use floor heaters and blankets.

22. Turn off the lights: When you leave a room, turn off the lights!

23. Open windows: In the summer, opening windows in the early morning will cool the house without cranking the air conditioning yet.

24. Turn off the fans: If you’re AC is running, there’s no need to have two energy sources going at the same time.

25. Reduce TV watching time: Especially those of us  with young kids, TV watching is not only a waste on energy, but children  need to be focused on a variety of activities anyway.

26. Hang dry clothes: If possible, hang dry towels,  sheets, and other items that take a lot of energy to dry. Clothes dryer  uses a lot of energy and produces heat. Use sunlight to dry your  clothes.

27. Rearrange appliances: Having major appliances  next to each other can double the amount of energy being emitted. If  your washer and dryer are next to your water heater, if possible,  consider moving them.

28. Buy energy star appliances: Keeping your 1980’s  freezer in the garage from your mother is guzzling down money compared  to top quality and energy efficient appliances nowadays. 

29. Install energy efficient windows: Installing  energy efficient windows is another great way to save on your energy  bill. There are also often tax rebates and other discounts available for  going green.

30. Turn off the porch light: There’s nothing more  comforting than driving through your neighborhood, seeing everyone’s  porch lights illuminating the way home. Beautiful, yes, but a big waste  of energy. Putting your outdoor lights on a timer will balance comfort  vs. savings.

31. Change your bulbs: Switching to energy efficient  light bulbs are a great start to saving on your energy bill. Not only  will that reduce the amount of watts used, but they last a lot longer  too.

32. Unplug appliances when not in use: If you really  don’t make toast that much, what’s the point in keeping it plugged in?  The same goes for lap top plugs, phone chargers, etc…Most of us leave  these plugged in until we need them again, wasting energy. Whatever  doesn’t require present power, try to unplug it.

33. Cook with lids on: This will enable your food to  properly cook in the sufficient time allotted, and not waste more  energy with unnecessary heat escaping.

34. Shut the door: It might sound obvious, but the  amount of heat or air escaping when you chat with your neighbor through  an open door, leave accessible for pets to meander in and out, or the  constant traffic caused by kids sneaking snacks in between water fights,  fluctuates your heating or cooling’s consistent flow.

35. Take advantage of off-peak rates: Most electric  companies offer off-peak reduced rates that you can use to run your  water heater, washing machine, dishwasher or air conditioner that  consume lot of energy.

36: Run dishwasher full loads: Always run your dishwasher full loads. Full loads use the same amount of energy and hot water as smaller loads.

37. Use sleep mode: Spend a few extra money to buy  computer peripherals like scanner, printer that goes into sleep mode  automatically or turn off when it isn’t being used.

38. Keep your vents open: Some people believe that  closing a vent can reduce energy consumption by preventing a need to  heat or cool a particular room. That’s actually a myth. Closing vents  can actually raise your energy costs.

39. Ditch old fridge: Old refrigerators consume a  lot of electricity. If you’re still using it, just get rid of it. You  can end up saving money by replacing it with a new one. If you have  multiple refrigerators, try scaling down to one.

40. Keep blinds or shades closed: The sun can really  heat up the room when blinds or shades are kept open. Your air  conditioner will use more energy to cool down your home.

41. Plant shady landscape: Shady landscape will  protect your home from scorching heat which will reduce your  air-conditioning costs in summers and block high winds that will reduce  you heating costs during winters.

151 Ways to Save Energy

The consumption of fossil fuels has been going at a steady pace since last century and has contributed much to the degradation of our environment. Climate change, global warming, extinction of several endangered species, depletion of ozone layer, increase in air pollution  are few of the effects from which our environment is suffering.  Although many countries have taken steps to move toward clean and green  energy sources like solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy to  save energy, still there is long way to go before we can leave fossil fuels behind and depend on these natural sources of energy for our daily needs.

Below are 151 ways that you can use to save and conserve energy and make this planet a better and clean place for our future generations to come.

1. Inspect windows and ductwork for any air leakage. If  you do feel air leaking at duct joints, use duct tape to seal them.  Winterize windows with weather stripping (for all movable parts)  and caulk (for non-moving parts). Eliminating these leaks can reduce  heating costs up to 10%.

2. Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans  sparingly. Leaving them on too long will suck away a tremendous amount  of household heat. Turn them off when their job is complete.

3. Turn down your thermostat at night or when you’re  away for more than four hours during the day. Do not turn off your  heating system entirely as this may cause pipes to freeze.

4. Keep heating supply registers and cold-air return registers clear of draperies and furniture to maintain proper air circulation.

5. Keep drapes and shades open during the day to let the sunshine in; close them at night.

6. Dust or vacuum radiator surfaces frequently. Dust and grime impede the flow of heat.

7. Keep lamps, TVs and other electrical appliances away  from the thermostat. Heat from these appliances is sensed by the  thermostat and could cause your furnace to shut off too soon and restart  frequently.

8. Dress warmly to help retain body heat. Wear closely  woven fabrics. Dressing in layers retains more heat than a single thick  piece of clothing.

9. Keep garage doors closed in winter. An open garage  door is just a giant hole that sucks warm air out of your home and lets  cold drafts in.

10. When having company, turn down the thermostat  before your guests arrive. Their collective body heat will add to the  room temperature.

11. Warm with a space heater. A portable space heater  can heat a single room without using your furnace to heat the whole  house. Using a space heater to heat all or most of your home costs more.  Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions when operating  space heaters.

12. Use natural gas for heating. Consider switching to a  natural gas heating system. Natural gas is less expensive than other  heating fuels.

13. Boil water in a kettle or covered pan; the water will boil faster and use less energy.

14. Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean. They will reflect heat better and you will save energy.

15. Match the size of the pan to the heating element. More heat will get to the pan, and less will be dissipated.

16. Turn off the stove or oven five to 10 minutes before cooking time is up and let trapped heat finish the cooking.

17. Avoid opening the oven door repeatedly to check  food while it cooks. This allows heat to escape and requires more energy  to complete the job. Use a timer to let you know when food is ready.

18. Use small electric cooking appliances (such as portable grills and skillets) for small meals rather than the stove or oven.

19. Don’t preheat the oven unless absolutely necessary and then for no more than 10 minutes.

20. Avoid using the broiler as much as possible; it uses a great deal of energy.

21. Thaw frozen foods thoroughly before cooking.

22. Barbecue outside as much as possible during warm  weather months. Cooking inside raises the temperature forcing your  refrigerator and central air to work harder to cool your rooms.

23. Cook during cooler hours (early morning and late evening) whenever possible.

24. Use a microwave to cook meals whenever possible; it uses about half the energy of a conventional oven.

25. Use crock pots and slow cookers; they can be as much at 75% more energy efficient than stoves and ovens.

26. After using your oven, leave it open a crack to let  warm air escape into your kitchen. (Don’t do this if you have children  or pets around).

27. Use smaller kitchen appliances  whenever possible. Microwaves, toaster ovens and slow-cookers can use 75  percent less energy than a large electric oven.

28. Water heaters should be close to kitchen so that it does not have to travel through a long distance of pipe and lose its heat.

29. Purchase an energy-efficient model. The initial  cost may be more but operating costs are less in the long run. Consider a  tank less or instantaneous water heater, which uses energy only  when hot water is needed, rather than maintaining 40 gallons or more of  hot water all the time.

30. Purchase the correct size. Consider your family’s  hot water needs. If your water heater is too large, it uses more energy  than needed. If it is too small, you may run out of hot water.

31. Purchase a natural gas water heater. If you  currently have an electric water heater, consider replacing it with a  natural gas water heater. When it comes to heating water, natural gas is  less expensive than electricity, and it heats more water faster during  heavy use. Consider a sealed combustion or an on-demand water heater.  Both types use less energy.

32. Install your water heater near the kitchen. The  kitchen is where you use the hottest water. When the water heater is  located near the kitchen, hot water doesn’t have to travel as far and  less heat is lost.

33. Insulate water pipes. Use half-inch foam or pipe  tape for insulation wherever pipes are exposed. On cold water pipes,  insulate four to five feet nearest to the water heater. Pipe insulation  can save you up to $25 annually.

34. Set the water temperature to 120° F. It takes less  energy to heat water to a lower temperature. If you have an electric  water heater, you’ll have to remove the cover plate of the thermostat  to adjust the temperature. For safety reasons, remember to turn off the  water heater at the circuit breaker/fuse before changing the  temperature.

35. Repair dripping faucets promptly. If the faucet  leaks hot water, the energy used to heat it is costing you money. (One  drop a second can waste up to 48 gallons a week!)

36. Install a heat loop or in-line trap. If you add a  new water heater to your home, consider having a heat loop or in-line  trap installed. These mechanisms can be inexpensive to install and keep  hot water from moving into the piping system when you are not using hot  water. Ask your plumbing contractor for details.

37. Insulate the outside of your electric water heater  with an insulation blanket to reduce heat loss; this can easily save you  $10 to $20 per year.

38. Turn down your hot water heater to its lowest  setting when you go on vacation or are away from the house for an  extended time period.

39. Drain a bucket of water out of the hot water heater  once a year to remove sediment and dirty water and improve heating  efficiency.

40. Use Energy Star LED or compact fluorescent light  bulbs. Energy Star light bulbs last longer and use up to 80 percent less  energy than standard light bulbs.

41. Use LED lighting fixtures for outdoor lighting (spot lights, flood lights, security lights). They use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent luminaires.

42. Turn off lights in any room not being used. Turn on outdoor lights only when needed.

43. When using incandescent bulbs, use the lowest  wattage possible or convenient. In many cases a lower wattage bulb can  be substituted for the one currently being used.

44. Light-zone your home to save electricity.  Concentrate lighting to areas where needed for reading, work and safety.  Reduce lighting in little used areas.

45. Install lighting dimmer switches; they save energy by reducing the lighting intensity in a room, and work great with LED bulbs.

46. Keep light bulbs dust-free. Dust on bulbs could be reducing your light output by 50%.

47. Use timers, motion detectors, heat sensors or photocell controls for light fixtures when possible.

48. Use satin or semi-gloss paint on your walls will reflect more light and allow you to use lower watt bulbs.

49. Put your computer to sleep instead of using a screen saver.

50. Laser printers use an incredible amount of energy. Switch to ink-jet printers.

51. Get rid of your CRT monitor. CRT monitors are energy hogs. Get an LCD or LED monitor for your computer instead.

52. Dump your desktop computer. Laptops use a fraction of the electricity that desktop use.

53. Don’t over-cool. The ideal thermostat setting is  between 75°F and 78°F. Every degree you raise your thermostat can result  in a 5% savings on the cost of cooling your home.

54. Keep lamps, televisions and other heat sources away  from the air conditioner thermostat. Heat from these sources may cause  the air conditioner unit to run longer than it should.

55. Make sure that no furniture or other obstacles are blocking ducts or fans. This will enable cooled air to circulate more freely.

56. When selecting a central air conditioning unit, be  sure to choose one that is sized appropriately for your home and uses  the minimal amount of electricity to complete its task. Air  conditioners with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEERs) – such  as 13.0 SEER and above – provide the greatest energy efficiency.

57. Install a ventilating fan in your attic or in an upstairs window to help dissipate hot air and cool down your home.

58. Don’t set your thermostat at a colder setting than  normal when you turn your air conditioner on. It will not cool the room  any faster, but it will use more energy.

59. Use a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner to spread cooled air to other rooms.

60. Clean the outside air conditioner condenser coil  once a year. Turn off the unit and spray the coils with water at a low  pressure to remove dirt, dust, leaves and grime.

61. Use duct tape to seal the cracks between each section of an air duct on your central air conditioning or forced heating system.

62. Close your blinds, curtains and shades during the  hottest part of the day. Keep out the daytime sun with vertical louvers  or awnings on the outside of your windows.

63. Keep lights low or off when not needed. Electric lights generate unnecessary room heat.

64. Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator at least  every three months. Dust and dirt build-up makes the refrigerator work  harder and uses more energy.

65. Set the refrigerator thermostat at 38 degrees F for fresh food compartments and 5 degrees F for the freezer compartment.

66. Regularly defrost your freezer. Frost buildup  increases the amount of energy needed to keep the refrigerator at its  proper temperature. Never allow frost to build up more than one quarter  of an inch.

67. Don’t place your refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight or near the stove.

68. Make sure your refrigerator door seals airtight.  Test them by closing the door on a piece of paper or dollar bill so it  is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper  or dollar out easily, the hinge may need adjusting or the seal may need  replacing.

69. Keep the refrigerator door closed. Each time you  open the refrigerator, up to 1/4 of the cold air inside can leak out.  Stop making unnecessary trips to the fridge.

70. Purchase an Energy Star, European EcoLabel, or  Energy Saving Trust Recommended model. When buying a new refrigerator or  freezer, look for the Energy Star, European EcoLabel, or Energy Saving  Trust Recommended label. These refrigerators and freezers can save you  hundreds of dollars on your electric bill over the life of the  appliance. Remember, older refrigerators and freezers use two to  three times more electricity than ones that are 10 years old or less.

71. Select the right size. Determine your household’s  needs before purchasing a refrigerator or freezer. One that is too large  wastes energy.

72. Only use one refrigerator or freezer. You can spend  up to $120 in electricity per year using a second refrigerator or  freezer. If you want to use a second refrigerator or freezer during  holidays or for special occasions, turn it on one to two days before you  need it.

73. Defrost a manual-defrost unit regularly. Frost  makes your unit work harder and wastes energy. Don’t allow more than  one-quarter inch of frost to build up.

74. Stay away from direct heat. Place the refrigerator  or freezer away from direct sunlight and other heat sources such as  ovens or ranges. Heat will cause the unit to use more energy to stay  cold.

75. When buying a dishwasher, look for an  energy-efficient model with air power or overnight dry setting. These  features automatically turn off the dishwasher after the rinse cycle.  This can save you up to 10% of your dish-washing energy costs.

76. Scrape dishes and rinse with cold water before loading them into the dishwasher. Avoid using the dishwasher’s pre-rinse cycle.

77. Don’t use the “rinse-hold” on your machine for just  a few soiled dishes. It uses several gallons of hot water each time you  use it.

78. Run full loads. Always wait until you have a full  load before running your dishwasher. Full loads use the same amount of  hot water and energy as smaller loads. You run fewer loads and  save energy.

79. Use short cycles. Select the shortest cycle that properly cleans your dishes. Shorter cycles use less hot water and less energy.

80. Skip rinsing the dishes. If you do rinse, use cold water.

81. Clean the filter. If your dishwasher has a filter screen, clean it regularly. A clean appliance runs more efficiently.

82. Don’t bother pre-rinsing dishes with the idea that your dishwasher will work less hard.

83. Remember that it pays to invest in energy  efficiency. In some cases, the money you save in energy costs can pay  back the purchase price in just a few years.

84. Always read the Energy Guide label carefully, and  make sure you’re comparing “apples to apples.” Energy use can range  significantly even within a single brand.

85. Choose the capacity that’s right for your family.  Whether it’s a furnace or a refrigerator, it doesn’t pay to purchase a  unit that’s too large or too small. Make sure you use the right filter  even if you’re tempted to buy one that’s not quite right. If your unit  requires 20x20x1 air filters then don’t buy anything smaller.

86. In almost every case, a natural gas appliance is  more economical to use than an electric model. The $50-75 price  difference can be paid back in energy savings in less than a year.

87. Replace inefficient appliances – even if they’re  still working. An aging water heater or refrigerator could be costing  you much more than you think. If your central air conditioner is more  than 10 years old, replacing it with a high-efficiency new unit will cut  your summer electric bills by about one-third. And make sure to RECYCLE  the old appliance!

88. Shop during the off-season. Many heating and  cooling manufacturers offer significant rebates during seasonal sales  promotions, and dealers may charge less for installation.

89. Investigate new technology carefully. Some  innovations, like convection ovens or argon-filled windows, may save  energy and make life more convenient; others, such as  commercial-grade kitchen appliances, might be merely expensive cosmetic  enhancements.

90. Look for the “Energy Star,” European EcoLabel,” or  “Energy Saving Trust Recommended” logo. This designation from the  Environmental Protection Agency or the European Union means that the  appliance exceeds minimum federal energy- use standards, usually by  a significant amount.

91. Don’t forget to ask about warranties, service contracts, and delivery and installation costs.

92. Wash clothes in warm or cold water instead of hot water. Rinse in cold water; this can save you about $50 per year.

93. Put a dry towel in the dryer with each load of wet  clothes. The towel will absorb dampness and reduce drying time, thus  saving energy and money.

94. Fill washers and clothes dryers but do not overload them.

95. Clean the lint screen after each load of laundry  and check the exhaust regularly. Clogged, dirty lint screens and  exhausts can increase drying time and energy usage.

96. Use a front-loading washing machine; they require less water and energy than other washing machines.

97. Use less detergent and skip the extra rinse cycle  on your washing machine to save water and time. If your clothes need to  be rinsed twice, you’re using too much soap.

98. Adjust the water level. If you have a washer that  allows you to control the load’s water level, adjust the level according  to laundry load size. You can save energy by using less hot water  for small loads.

99. Run full loads. Always run a full load in your  washer or dryer. Running a partial load uses the same amount of energy  as a full load – but you get less done. Running full loads allows you to  run your washer or dryer less often.

100. Dry your clothes on an outside clothesline whenever possible

101. Rinse in cold water. Rinse water temperature has  no effect on cleaning. Rinsing with cold water saves money by heating  less water.

102. Place the washer close to the water heater. Water  loses heat as it flows through pipes. When the washer is located near  the water heater, hot water doesn’t have to travel as far to reach  the washer, and less heat is lost. Insulating the pipes between the  water heater and washer helps retain heat, too

103. Put indoor and outdoor lights on timers.

104. Don’t leave your lights on 24/7 while you’re away.

105. Put water heater on the vacation setting, if it has one.

106. Choose green-rated hotels when travelling for business or pleasure.

107. Pull the plug on battery chargers. Laptops, cell phones and digital cameras always draw power if they’re plugged in.

108. If you travel at 105 km/h instead of 90 km/h, you  are penalized by lowering your L/100km 12.5 percent. If you get your  vehicle up to 120 km/h, you’re losing 25 percent compared with L/100km  at 90 km/h.

109. A loaded roof rack can decrease an SUV’s fuel efficiency by 5 percent and that of a more aerodynamic car by 15 percent or more.

110. Stick with regular. If your car’s manufacturer  specifies regular gas, don’t buy premium with the thought of going  faster or operating more efficiently. Consider diesel over petrol when  buying a new car. If petrol only option, consider a hybrid.

111. After starting the car in the morning, begin driving right away; don’t let it sit and “warm up” for several minutes.

112. If your windows don’t have a low-E coating, consider applying a self-adhesive film on the glass.

113. Use reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping food in foil or plastic wrap.

114. Bring a reusable water bottle! Packaged bottled water is a waste and highly inefficient in most of the developed world.

115. Train myself or an employee to become an Energy Conservation Officer.

116. Making conservation someone’s responsibility will set your business on the path of saving energy.

117. Participate in an OPA commercial demand response program.

118. Install effective automatic door closer. Doors can’t save energy if they’re not closed

119. Educate and encourage employees who identify and implement energy savings.

120. Reward the people who work with me for their innovative, money-saving ideas.

121. Celebrate the implementation of successful energy efficiency measures.

122. Ensure meeting rooms are equipped with motion sensing light switches.

123. Turn off meeting room lights when not in use.

124. In the summer, unnecessary lighting can increase air conditioning load.

125. Dim, turn off or remove lights near windows in the daytime.

126. Use efficient task lighting where needed.

127. Unplug coffeemakers, toasters and microwaves. Make  sure they’re unplugged on weekends and before shutting the office down  for the holidays.

128. Use the stairs instead of taking the elevator. It not only saves energy, it’s good exercise too.

129. Consider double-sided printing, re-using paper, and using e-mail instead of mailing or faxing documents.

130. When driving, avoid quick breaking and starting as it decreases mileage.

131. Don’t run your car unnecessarily. Idling produces many pollutants and burns unnecessary fuel.

132. If you can travel at off peak hours or use public  transport, do so. Traffic jams only create more pollution, waste fuel,  and cause stress!

133. Keep your tires properly inflated-under-inflated tires will reduce mileage.

134. Use premium unleaded gasoline as it is more efficient. If possible, use clean burning diesel.

135. Use air conditioning only when it is necessary.

136. Open window or close them to adjust the heat instead of using the air conditioner.

137. Park in a shade to prevent your car from overheating and reliance on air-conditioning.

138. Service your air conditioner to ensure it works efficiently and it does not leak CFC’s.

139. Turn off your engine if you are stopping for any more than 30 seconds.

140. Drive slowly, my L/100km indicator runs at highest efficiency at 90 km/h on motorways.

141. Get rid of spare refrigerators or freezers. An  extra appliance can add more than $100 to your energy bills every year,  and it’s a safety hazard for small children.

142. Keep outdoor hot tubs covered when not in use. If  you have a pool, use a solar cover to use the natural warmth of the sun  to heat the water.

143. Keep waterbeds covered with quilts or blankets to  help retain their heat. You might also want to insulate the bottom with a  sheet of rigid foam insulation.

144. Keep the garage door closed, especially during the winter.

145. If you need a new lawn mower, consider an electric  model. They’re less expensive to operate (about three cents of  electricity per use), 75 percent quieter, and they significantly reduce  toxic emissions.

146. Instead of air-polluting and expensive charcoal or  propane, try an electric or natural gas grill. They’re more economical  and more convenient – you’ll never run out of fuel.

147. Unplug any electrical device that’s not being  used. Many appliances, especially computers and televisions draw power  even when turned off.

148. Place humidifiers and dehumidifiers away from  walls and bulky furniture. These appliances work best when air  circulates freely around them. Be sure to clean the unit often to  prevent unhealthy mold and bacteria from developing.

149. If your home has no sidewall insulation, place  heavy furniture like bookshelves, armoires and sofas along exterior  walls, and use decorative quilts as wall hangings. This will help block  cold air.

150. When you take a vacation, don’t forget to give  your appliances a rest too. Turn off and unplug everything you can, set  your water heater to the lowest setting and shut off the water supply  to the dishwasher and washing machine.

151. Use public transit whenever possible.

Note from Rinkesh, the Author:  Unless you  strongly believe in Elon Musk‘s idea of making Mars as another habitable  planet, do remember that there really is no 'Planet B' in this whole  universe.  

What are Energy Efficient Homes?

This day and age, people are looking to find ways that they can be more energy efficient.  The truth is, people want to do anything and everything they can to  conserve energy, because it is not only better for the environment but  it also helps them to save some money in the long run. Energy efficient  homes conserve energy, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, greenhouse  gas emissions and demand for non-renewable resources. They provide  significant savings over conventional homes.

Energy efficiency is not just for certain people, it is something  that everyone can take a part in. The good news is that there are a few  ways that you can make your home energy efficient with energy efficient  strategies and products, without having to spend too much money out of  pocket. Then, you can just enjoy the cost savings throughout the year,  and also get a few tax breaks while you are at it. Here are a few things that you should try.

11 ways to Create Energy Efficient Homes:

First and foremost, you will want to make sure that you improve the  insulation in your home. During the cold winter months, you could be  letting out a lot of your heat if you don’t have good insulation. This  could be costing you, and it could also be detrimental to the  environment. The key is to make sure that you have proper insulation,  weather stripping and other insulating techniques throughout your home.  You can do this yourself, or have an expert come in and handle it for  you.

Your windows can also cause you to lose a lot of heat during the  winter months, and cool air during the summer months. This can really be  detrimental when it comes to your energy costs over the year. Some of  the older types of windows aren’t as energy efficient as you would like  for them to be. Double panel windows and other vinyl frames are much  better than single pane windows and aluminum frames. You may also  consider tinting your windows and keeping your blinds open to let some  light in that won’t cost you a dime. If you have trouble, you could  always hire a Dallas Window Installation or another window installation  expert.

If you have the older type light bulbs in your home, then you may  find that you are using much more energy than you have to as well. This  is why so many people are converting to LED from fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. They may be a  bit more up front, but over time you end up saving money. They can last  many times longer than a regular CFL or incandescent bulb will. You can  even mix them up a bit and use some of the fluorescent bulbs and some  incandescent bulbs and it will still have a dramatic difference on your  overall usage of energy.

If you are shopping for new appliances to help make your home more  energy efficient, look for appliances that have the HE logo.  Energy  star certified appliances use less energy, and while they may cost you a  bit more in the beginning it is much more of an investment for you.  This is because it will save you money over time when it comes to  running your appliances.

Even with energy efficient appliances, you still don’t want to  overuse them. Don’t use your heater too much during the winter months,  unless you must. Also, try to keep your thermostats at a comfortable  setting rather than changing them up all the time. If you change them up  too much, it uses far more energy than you should. You should also  consider turning certain things off when they are not in use, because  believe it or not they use energy even if they aren’t powered on- just  if they are plugged into the wall.

If you can afford it, solar panels may be a great investment. You can  have them installed on your rooftop, and believe it or not they can  actually help to cut down on your electricity costs because it helps you  to be able to produce your own electricity. This really is something to  consider, especially when you think about the fact that they are so  cost effective. It isn’t for everyone, but as we get further into the  green movement you will begin to see many more people that opt to have  solar panels installed at their home.

Give a call to energy auditors  to check as to where your home currently stand in terms of energy  efficiency. These auditors are equipped with specialized tools and  skills that can help them to evaluate energy efficiency of your home and  determine where efficiency can be improved by recommending some low  cost measures. This will help you to figure out as to which parts of  your home needs your immediate attention.

Great landscaping outside your home can help you to protect your home  from intense sun during summer days and chilly winds during winter  season. The tree and its leaves will protect your house from sun’s rays  during hotter days and make it cool to live inside comfortably. If you  have been using high energy efficient appliances and good insulation in  your home, the effect will be much smaller as you home is already  blocking all the heat.

A programmable thermostat is another efficient way to cut down energy  usage in your home. When you’re away, set the thermostat to higher  temperature and to low in cooler months. A programmable thermostat  doesn’t cost much and the money saved by reducing energy usage can be  used to pay for it in few months.

An idle printer, desktop computer, microwave ovens and coffee makers  equipped with LED clocks running all night when not in use, do consume  power. Switch them off when you don’t need them immediately. Even try to  switch off your refrigerator when you are planning to go away from home  for a long time. These small savings will eventually turn to big  savings once you calculate the amount of energy saved by the end of  year.

You can cut electricity bills by making few of these adjustments.  Firstly, set the temperature of your water heater to warm setting  (approx. 120°F – 130°F). You don’t need water more hot than it to wash  your clothes and dishes. Secondly, use low-flow fixtures for showers and baths and thirdly, insulate your hot water pipes so they don’t cool off  quickly.

Here is a guide to create an energy efficient home.

As you can see, creating energy efficient homes isn’t all that  difficult. There are simple steps that you can take, and you don’t have  to do it all at once. It may be just a good idea for you to make a few  changes every now and then to work towards it, so that you don’t  overwhelm yourself.

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