Home Improvements: Energy We Use vs. The Energy We Waste
Posted by Rick Luppino on Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @ 12:35 PM
The debate over energy-consumption and how to preserve our resources has been an ongoing conversation in the 21st century. Regional climate differences impact your energy consumption greatly in terms of heating vs. cooling your home, and what type of energy-efficient technology you are using for your appliances, heating system, air conditioning, and insulation. So what exactly can you do in your home to help improve your energy efficiency? First take a look at how the average home's "energy dollar" is used according to the Department of Energy:
- 45 cents: Heating and Cooling your Home
- 34 cents: Lighting, Cooking, and other Appliances
- 13 cents: Water Heating
- 8 cents: Refrigeration
Energy is wasted in your home due to a number of reasons:
- Inadequate insulation throughout your home.
- Older replacement windows that lose heat during the winter.
- Inefficient heating/cooling systems and inefficient appliances.
- When hot water is used instead of cold water for laundry.
- If any faucets around the house are leaking.
- If you don't have automatic thermostats and lighting controls
