Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

With the right home energy auditor, there are many benefits of getting a home energy audit. Complete home energy audits can save your money on home energy bills, increase your homes comfort, improve your homes resale value and marketability, help you to take advantage of government incentive, and help the environment.

Save money on your home energy bills

If your home's energy bills are through the roof, then a home energy audit would be a major benefit for you. Your energy bills can be affected by many things. From small spaces around your windows and doors that aren't keeping in your conditioned air, to a large water heater that is using more energy than it needs to. A complete home energy audit will pinpoint the exact ways you can lower your home energy bills.

Not only will a home energy audit identify where you can save money, it will also prioritize the issues so you know which changes would make the most difference for you.

Increase your home's comfort

A key problem that many home energy auditors find in homes is air sealing. When a home energy auditor identifies air sealing as a problem, and fixes the problem, you will literally feel the difference in your home. The changes in your home will be night-and-day, there will no longer be cold drafts in the winter or hot bursts in the summer which will not only make you feel more comfortable, it will also save you money.

Improve your homes resale value and marketability

Another benefit of a comprehensive home energy audit is that it will increase the resale value and marketability of your home. According to a study published in the Appraisal Journal, every $1 decrease in annual energy costs increases the market value of a home by $20. So, you are not only saving money annually, but also making sure that you make money when it comes time to sell your home.

Homeowners that implement suggestions from a home energy audit also increase the perspective buyers' chance of buying their home. Home buyers will be pleased to hear that you have made changes to decrease energy bills and keep the house more comfortable.

Take advantage of government incentives

Recently the government has offered incentives to make energy efficient changes to your home. By receiving a home energy audit you are eligible to take advantage of the government's rebates and tax incentives.

Help the environment

Lastly, a complete home energy audit helps the environment. When you implement the improvements recommended by energy experts you use less energy, therefore reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses and pollution created. When your home isn't expelling as much energy to heat or cool it, to run appliances, or to light your home, you're saving money and helping the environment. 

 

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1113228/benefits-of-a-home-energy-audit.htm

Performing a Quick and Easy Home Energy Audit

In recent years most of us have been plagued with rising energy bills. In many cases energy bills have risen to such an extent that they are causing financial hardship. Our dependence on fossil fuels, which are non renewable, will cause energy prices to rise even further in the future. There are many simple common sense actions that can be taken to reduce energy costs and consumption. These can range from replacing the incandescent bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent bulbs to simply turning down the thermostat. Heating and cooling costs account for the greater part of most energy bills. Most new homes are built to be energy efficient but many older homes have not been upgraded for energy efficiency. Many older homes are drafty and lack sufficient insulation. For older homes auditing your homes energy is a must. There are many companies that do these audits but they can be pricey. A home energy audit can be done easily and can be the first step in identifying problem areas that are costing energy and money.

A home energy audit will help to determine the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. It will also reveal how to reduce waste and conserve those valuable energy dollars. The first step in any home energy audit is to determine where energy is escaping unused. Reducing drafts in a typical home can result in energy savings of 5% to 30%.

Checking for drafts is relatively easy. Checking windows, baseboards, electrical sockets, fireplace dampers, doors, and other obvious places will probably reveal several places where simple repairs will solve the problem. Checking the exterior of the building is a very important of any home energy audit. Checking exterior corners, foundation areas, and places where chimneys and siding meet will often reveal gaps that can be easily caulked or repaired.

One of the most important parts of any home energy is checking for adequate insulation. Many older homes are woefully under insulated. Insulation has what is known as an 'R' value. Be sure to check for the recommended 'R' value for your area. Check in all the obvious places like the attic and walls. Look for gaps and make sure there is a vapor barrier. A well planned and thorough home energy audit will show where energy is being wasted. Develop your own annual home energy audit that fits your own needs. Then take the necessary actions and start saving money!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2862192

Top 10 Energy Saving Tips

A correctly installed solar home energy system can cost as little as $ 200 for a homeowner to manufacture and install and with the potential savings nearing close to 80% of a normal household electricity bill it is not hard to see why a solar home energy system is fast becoming a popular home addition. In some situations over production can lead the homeowner into a position of being able to sell his surplus solar power back to the electric company thus making a profit on the overall situation. The sun's energy is the most abundant energy available on earth and by employing this free source a homeowner not only reduces his consumption of "manufactured" electricity but also contributes to a greener world.

A solar home energy system has many advantages apart from being cost-effective and environment-friendly. They are low on maintenance thus saving time and effort. Also, solar home energy systems give you a return on investment very soon, thus making the systems free after just a few weeks or as illustrated above a profit could be experienced if over production occurs, indeed it would be best to bear in mind this situation when designing the system to ensure an over production. If space allowed the installation of extra solar panels then this would provide an ideal income source.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-BTKkZxvJ0

Home Maintenance And Energy Saving Tips : Chapter 1

Have you ever considered installing your own solar home energy system ? The sun has always been a source of heat and light energy. Now with the advancement of technology, the sun's power can be used to create other forms of usable energy.

With the world moving towards a deepening energy crisis, it is important that we reduce our dependency on non-renewable sources. Three types of energy solutions fall into the category of renewable energy: solar energy, hydro energy and wind energy. For the homeowner a solar home energy system probably is the best choice. Hydro energy is not really a viable option plus there are some concerns about using this energy because it is believed to adversely affect the water-borne flora and fauna. Wind energy would be a viable alternative depending on the physical setting but there is concern that power generating windmills could be unsightly if not mounted in a discreet location and this may not always be possible. Although in the correct situation wind power could be a workable solution and could also be used in tandem with a solar home energy system.

With a solar home energy system the solar panels can be placed in a relatively obscure location thus not becoming aesthetically displeasing plus with the advent of continued development it is now possible for the construction of the required components and the installation to be carried out by the home handyman. There are a number of instructional publications now available authored by expert professionals who have spent much of their working life studying and implementing solar power solutions. The publications give detailed step by step instructions on obtaining the materials, constructing the solar panels and then the subsequent installation as well as the legalities.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td6vlXtJP2M

Do You Really Need A Home Energy Yardstick?

You need to know that the U.S. environmental protection agency or more often called EPA is the one in charge in creating the home energy yardstick, to help all the consumers to compare their energy usage with some other homes. Should you might want to know if you are making use of your energy economically in your home, then chances are you ought to try using the home energy yardstick today.

Making use of home energy yardstick may help you compare the energy utilization of your home and to your neighbor. The home energy yardstick can be another tool which we make use of to assist you to save energy and of course save money. Aided by the home energy yardstick you don't need to expend a lot of money just to manage to use this tool. All you need is your 12 months previous energy bill, size of your house and then just click a button. When you finally use the home energy yardstick and you have compared your consumption with the other homeowners, it will be easy to know if your energy usage is efficient or possibly you are using much energy than needed. It enables us to know if our energy usage is efficient as well as you are using much energy than needed. Having to deal with this kind of information it is possible to know if you have been very wise in using your electricity at home or you might have been wasting it. In working with your energy at home, you'll need to be sure that you will get rid of the unnecessary electronic devices from your home to ensure that your energy saving.

You can ask why you would need to save energy or perhaps use home energy yardstick. That question might sound like a silly question, but of course almost everyone knows that we all need to make it a habit to save energy in our homes. As you may know that the costs will keep going to sky rise at a higher rate if you are to compare it 15 years ago, there's a chance you're one of the wisest persons that are seeking for solutions on how to utilize your energy efficiently.

 

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/Do-You-Really-Need-A-Home-Energy-Yardstick/3884447/

Top Ten Ways We Save Energy at Home

Hydropower - This type of alternative home energy makes use of water currents in order to turn turbines to run generators. Once again, this is not really a new technology. Like windmills, waterwheels were often used to harness the power of a nearby river in order to grind grain into flour.

Biogas - This is another alternative home energy source. Biogas is produced naturally via the decomposition of different biological material. By using biogas instead of the common LPG, home owners can cut back on their heating bills.

As you can see, there are a lot of different types of alternative home energy. What you need to do is explore these options and discover which type is the best for you to use. You have also been informed as to how we have used these energy sources in the past and how they are being used today.

Unfortunately, some of the methods of harnessing these different alternative home energy types may yet seem impractical to the common homeowner. However, as technology continues to evolve, you can be sure that the use of alternative energy will be more efficient.

By using alternative home energy, you accomplish two things: you save on your expenses and you help create a better world. You see, alternative home energy sources do not produce any harmful effects to the environment. By using these sources, you harness relatively free energy. Some people may say that the devices used to harness these sources may be too expensive, but in the long run, you"ll end up saving so much more than you spend.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pGuO2rSdm0

What Are the Different Home Energy Savings For Seattle Residence?

As the problem on global warming and depletion of energy sources continue to haunt nations, more people are becoming aware of energy saving. Various states have initiated efforts to tap renewable sources of energy and teach the public on how to lessen their energy consumption whether at home or at work. States have come up with laws and incentives to encourage the public to save energy. One state that continuously supports energy saving is Seattle. The different home energy savings for Seattle residence are proven helpful in reducing energy consumption as well as environment pollution.

Many tips on home energy savings for Seattle residence recommend conducting your own home energy assessment or commonly known as home energy audit. This allows you to detect how much energy your home consumes and take the necessary steps to lessen energy consumption in order to make your home energy efficient.

A home energy audit can check the different areas of your home and point out where you are using more energy. Aside from assessing your energy consumption, the home energy assessment can also give you ideas on how to save on electricity and water. Check air leaks or drafts in your window frames, baseboards, electrical outlets, mail slots and attic hatches among others. Air leaks create heat loss. Experts indicate that you can save as much as five percent to thirty percent in your energy consumption every year by simply fixing these air leaks.

Aside from air leaks, proper home insulation also helps in conserving energy. Inadequate insulation also results to heat loss and a primary reason of energy waste. Various cooling and heating equipment account for the majority of any home's energy use. Clean them annually and check it for any damage. It is also advisable to change your furnace filters at least once a month. You can also clean and seal all your home heating ducts. Furthermore, check the wattage size of the light bulbs used in your homes. Energy coming from lighting takes up ten percent of the electric bill. To save money and energy as well, change your light bulbs into compact fluorescent lamps or energy efficient lamps. Nowadays, more homes opt to use solar energy by installing photovoltaic cells on their roofs.

Home energy savings for Seattle residence does not only involve saving on electricity. It also includes water conservation. Over the years, the world has witnessed the scarcity of clean source of water. By saving on water and using water wisely, the next generation is assured of a steady supply of safe and clean water. Simple steps like turning off the faucet while brushing the teeth or fixing water leaks in faucets can make a big difference. Other ways to save water include upgrading toilets into water efficient models, keep the water used for washing fruits and vegetables and used it to water the plants, tightly turn off faucets after every use and shorten the time you spend in the shower to name a few.

These home energy savings for Seattle residence are intended not only to save on energy but also help the public to save more money. It also contributes to a cleaner environment by eliminating pollution.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1406022/what-are-the-different-home-energy-savings-for-seattle-residence.htm

Energy-Saving Tips Inside Your Home

Home energy consumption is one of the main problems of people today. The fact is, we all need electricity to power our lives. We need the level of civilization that can be provided by electricity. However, most people think that the price they pay is just too much for the amount of electricity they get to consume. In the true spirit of humanity, people did what they always do whenever there's something that does not completely satisfy them about life: they innovated. 

Think about the paint you are going to use on your exterior walls and consider insulating paint as a radiant barrier coating. It can be purchased ready mixed or as an additive that is compatible with any interior or exterior paint. These paints are an efficient way of forming an effective thermal barrier and therefore doing alot to bring up your home's R-Value and cutting utility bills by as much as 50% Whether living in a new or traditional home, all these products can be included in your plans to save home energy and may make you eligible for tax credits Any family that is serious about saving energy in their home needs to investigate the options of energy saving exteriors.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGAOZllghYo

The Reality Behind Home Energy Consumption

"Expensive" is just one of the words that people today use to describe electricity bills. It seems that every day, the cost of electricity keeps getting higher and higher. Because of this, home energy consumption needs to be a top priority for any household, especially these days with times as tough as they are.

New energy technology, of course, takes some time to perfect. In the meantime, there are a lot of do-it-yourself home improvement projects you can do to minimize your home energy consumption with small adjustments to your home in order to improve its energy efficiency.

When you use the air-conditioning system or the furnace, maybe you shouldn't turn the thermostat up so high. It's not like you are living in the equator or the North Pole, for crying out loud. And when you go out of the house, you do not really need to keep your air-conditioning on, do you? Think of how much you will be able to eliminate from your home energy consumption by just turning these appliances off when you are not using them.

What about the kitchen? Kitchen appliances count for 26.7 percent of home energy consumption. Of course, you can't really turn off your refrigerator when you are not home, could you? Don't panic, however, there are a lot of alternatives in order to help you reduce your electricity bill. Leaving the refrigerator door open increases your home energy consumption, so don't leave it hanging open while you spread the butter on your toast in the morning. Heat rushes inside the refrigerator which means that the fridge has to consume more electricity in order to maintain its internal temperature. If you leave the door open, you are wasting electricity and increasing your home energy consumption.

The energy of information administration of the US department of energy has recently concluded a survey on the home energy consumption of US households during the year 2001. Through this data, we can at least gain an insight of which appliances are costing us. At the top of the list, of course, is climate control. Would you believe that American households consume 355.7 billion kWh just to keep themselves cool or hot? That's 31.2 percent of the total home energy consumption! Do you really need to consume so much energy just to feel hot or cold?

Water heating cost US households 104.1 billion kWh in electricity. Cutting down on the time you spend in a hot shower can cut down on your water heating bills.

As a matter of fact, there are solar heaters out there which not only save electricity by using solar power to heat your water, but these can also be connected to power small appliances. If everyone just invested in these ideas, people would be able to lessen their home energy consumption considerably.

There are a lot of easy ways you can cut back on your home energy consumption. Just by exerting a little effort, we can save a lot of our money. Did you realize how much energy our homes consume just because of wastefulness?

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Reality-Behind-Home-Energy-Consumption&id=1746978

Your Basic Guide to Home Energy Systems

Home energy systems primarily are associated with the sun. The most popular residential energy system is the conversion of solar energy for electricity or water heating. There are two main types of solar energy, light and thermal. Light energy, from the sun, is harnessed by a collecting medium then transformed into electricity. Thermal energy, which is derived from the heat of the sun, is used to directly warm household water and swimming pools.

A typical home energy system has four components:

1. Solar Cells - Photovoltaic or solar cells made of a semiconductor material in which sunlight is converted into electricity through excitation of electrons. These cells require protection from various environmental and mechanical elements; thus, they are encased in photovoltaic modules or panels. These modules come in different sizes, weights, and shapes.

2. An Inverter - An inverter transforms direct current into alternative current electricity.

3. Mounting System - A sturdy mounting system is imperative to secure your home energy systems atop a variety of surfaces from tiled roofs to the shiny exterior of a yacht.

4. Batteries - Batteries are optional as they served as storage for electricity produced.

Home energy systems also use semiconductor materials. The commonly used semiconductor materials in the manufacture of solar cells are:

1. Mono-Crystalline Silicon - Mono-crystalline silicon is made by the use of a crystal microtome that thinly slices the material into 150 - 350 microns thickness.

2. Multi-Crystalline - Multi-crystalline silicon is made by sawing into a block of silicon.

3. Amorphous Silicon - Amorphous silicon is produced when a thin layer of the material is placed on a substrate to make a photovoltaic module.

4. Thin film has a width of 1/10 micron, the flimsiest material to be used in solar cells.

The benefits of home energy systems are definitely extensive. Among such perks are the following:

1. There is relatively fast turnabout of capital investment now considering that solar power companies offer a minimum of a 20-year warranty and solar units can last a lifetime with proper use and care.

2. You are no longer affected by price hikes of electrical providers. You now have full reigns on the amount of electricity you can generate with your home energy system.

3. There are no taxes yet levied by the government when you harness solar radiation. You are entitled to as much sunlight as your system can get.

4. With minimum movable parts, home energy systems have low maintenance costs compared to electrical connections with their many wirings and cables.

5. Many governments actually offer incentives for people to switch to home energy systems as part of their environmentalist movement.

6. It is safe for the environment. Unlike renewable energy, solar power does not emit polluting emissions and harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon and methane. Accidental dredging and spillage seen in fossil fuel production is also not possible with solar power.

7. With home energy, there are no dangerous ecological by-products made during solar power production.

8. Using home energy helps the environment. You set a good example for your neighbors to hopefully emulate. When you use solar power energy, you actually help conserve other depleting natural energy sources like petroleum and coal for future generation use.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/205748/your-basic-guide-to-home-energy-systems.htm

The Home Energy Yardstick Can Help You Save Energy And Money

Every family uses energy differently in their home. It all depends on the family's lifestyle, habits and the home they live in. The type of heating and air conditioning you have, how you heat your water, your lighting and appliances are all a major part of your energy usage and cost. If you want to discover how you really use energy around your house then you should try the "Home Energy Yardstick". It's a great place to start when looking to discover not only how you use energy but any problems you or your home has with inefficient use of energy.

To use the Home Energy Yardstick doesn't take very long but it does take some effort. There are some things you will need to know about your home like the last three months of hydro and gas or other energy bills. The size of your home and most of the rest you shouldn't have to look up. The length of time it with take you will depend somewhat on the complexity of your home. But it really is quite easy and you can do it online.
One of the things Energy Star's Home Energy Yardstick does is compare your use of energy with how other homes of similar size and geographic location use energy. This in itself will give you an idea of how efficient your home is along with maybe how good or bad your habits are when it comes to using energy. For instance I know some people who complain about their energy bills but run around the house in the middle of winter with nothing on their feet and the front door open and only the storm closed. Not good habits for saving energy.
If the home energy yardstick does not give you enough information of course you could always have a comprehensive energy audit done on your house by a professional energy auditor. An energy audit will give you a more complete picture of how you use energy around your house. An added feature of the audit is it will also identify potential health or safety issues that you might have as well.
You need to understand that every home is unique in the way it uses energy. If you are really want to reduce the energy use of your home, you really need to know how a where you will get the most bang for your buck. For example, if you know you have poor windows and you are leaking a lot of your heat to the outdoors that maybe should be priority number one. It would also be more cost effective to do that than for example add insulation. If your furnace is not new but not in bad shape but your habits are poor then replacing the furnace will really do little to help save energy.
Figuring out where the problems are is step one. Fixing the issues is really step two and can take a while to complete depending on how aggressive you are able to approach the problems. Keeping your home running efficiently should be your long term goal and will take the rest of your days in your home working on it.
Do you realize the average family's utility bills are about $1,900 a year? The problem is a lot of that money and energy is wasted. Not only that but each year the electricity produced for a single home often by fossil fuels, produces more carbon dioxide than two average cars.
The Home Energy Yardstick can help you in make your home more efficient. You can do-it-yourself in just minutes. Make your home more energy efficient, help reduce your high energy bills and help the environment.
Start making small changes today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6123778

Solar Home Energy For Homeowners

Have you ever considered installing your own solar home energy system ? The sun has always been a source of heat and light energy. Now with the advancement of technology, the sun's power can be used to create other forms of usable energy.

With the world moving towards a deepening energy crisis, it is important that we reduce our dependency on non-renewable sources. Three types of energy solutions fall into the category of renewable energy: solar energy, hydro energy and wind energy. For the homeowner a solar home energy system probably is the best choice. Hydro energy is not really a viable option plus there are some concerns about using this energy because it is believed to adversely affect the water-borne flora and fauna. Wind energy would be a viable alternative depending on the physical setting but there is concern that power generating windmills could be unsightly if not mounted in a discreet location and this may not always be possible. Although in the correct situation wind power could be a workable solution and could also be used in tandem with a solar home energy system.

With a solar home energy system the solar panels can be placed in a relatively obscure location thus not becoming aesthetically displeasing plus with the advent of continued development it is now possible for the construction of the required components and the installation to be carried out by the home handyman. There are a number of instructional publications now available authored by expert professionals who have spent much of their working life studying and implementing solar power solutions. The publications give detailed step by step instructions on obtaining the materials, constructing the solar panels and then the subsequent installation as well as the legalities.

A correctly installed solar home energy system can cost as little as $ 200 for a homeowner to manufacture and install and with the potential savings nearing close to 80% of a normal household electricity bill it is not hard to see why a solar home energy system is fast becoming a popular home addition. In some situations over production can lead the homeowner into a position of being able to sell his surplus solar power back to the electric company thus making a profit on the overall situation.

The sun's energy is the most abundant energy available on earth and by employing this free source a homeowner not only reduces his consumption of "manufactured" electricity but also contributes to a greener world.

A solar home energy system has many advantages apart from being cost-effective and environment-friendly. They are low on maintenance thus saving time and effort. Also, solar home energy systems give you a return on investment very soon, thus making the systems free after just a few weeks or as illustrated above a profit could be experienced if over production occurs, indeed it would be best to bear in mind this situation when designing the system to ensure an over production. If space allowed the installation of extra solar panels then this would provide an ideal income source.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/321598/solar-home-energy-for-homeowners.htm