Everybody has probably heard of an energy audit, but not many people have the time or money to have one conducted. In the meantime, here are some very simple suggestions to increase your home's energy efficiency.
-Switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluourescent light (CFL) bulbs. The government is going to make you do it anyway starting in 2012, but why wait. Anytime an incandescent burns out, replace it with a CFL. CFLs have come a long way in the last 5 years. Prices can be as low as a $1 each on sale and warm tones are available. The only downfall to CFLs is that they contain a small amount of mercury vapor and should be not be disposed of in household trash. Most cities and many stores do accept spent CFLs.
-Install weatherstripping on your exterior doors. When I moved into my house it felt chilly around the back door. It turns out that the weatherstrip on the door had been removed, so I had a 1/2" gap to the great outdoors! So check the bottom of your doors as well as the sides and top. Most strips are less than $10.
-Use a flow control valve on your existing shower or buy a low-flow shower head. A valve and a roll of teflon tape will set you back about $7, but you can save up to 50% in water consumption. Reduce the flow while lathering, shaving, etc. Americans typically use 25 gallons per shower, so this adds up greatly over time. In doing so, you'll also save energy by heating less water.
-Invest in a programmable thermostat. These start at $40 and more feature-laden thermostats are $80 to $100. Set the tempurature lower in winter (and higher in summer) at night and when you are away from home. Statistics show that you can lower your bill by 1% for every degree you lower your heat for an 8-hour period.
-Lastly, use your dishwasher. I think this is one everyone can agree on. However water-stingy you think you are while handwashing your dishes, your dishwasher is better. And newer washers generally do not require a pre-rinse. Try to run your dishwasher when it is full to maximize your energy use and make sure your kitchen sink water is hot before turning on the washer so it can clean to the best of its ability. Oh, and dishwasher detergent with enzymes work best.
Of course, there are many more tips for home efficiency, but these are a good start. When buying a home, look for these features. And if you are selling your home, promote these features. Every little bit helps to stand out from the competition.
Andrew Leeth / aleeth@remax.net / 612-805-1445