There Are Lots of Ways to Conserve Energy—

And Reduce Your Costs

There are many energy-efficient modifications that will help reduce operating costs. Examples of these modifications include new windows, roof repair, insulation under the house, as well as both exterior and interior renovations.

In many homes, the leading culprits of heat loss are windows and doors. Therefore, it’s important to look for storm windows and doors or more efficient windows with double- or triple-paned glass to increase energy efficiency.

Storm Windows/Storm Doors—Standard windows and doors can lose approximately five to eight times more energy than an insulated wall area of the same size. Therefore, it’s important to make sure your storm windows and doors are designed for efficiency to reduce energy loss.

Double- or Triple-Pane Glass—Energy efficient windows with double or triple-paned glass have two or three pieces of glass fused together around the edges with a space in between them filled with air or inert gas. If a window has double-paned glass, it offers double the thermal efficiency of a regular window; triple-paned glass provides three times the efficiency. Consider replacing old windows with these more efficient options and not only will you conserve energy, you’ll save money in the long run.

 Lighting & Appliances—The lighting and appliances in a home, to a lesser degree, also affect the amount of energy consumed so look for efficient ones. Certain types of lighting as well as modifications can save a great deal of energy. A good way to evaluate efficiency of major appliances is to look for the bright yellow and black ENERYGUIDE label to help you determine estimated annual operating costs.

Timers or Photocells on Outdoor Lights—Check to see if your prospective home has timers or photocells on outdoor lights. They’re an added energy efficient benefit because lights automatically turn on and off according to darkness and thus are used only when needed.

High Efficiency Appliances—When purchasing new appliances check for the ENERGYGUIDE label for such appliances as dishwashers, water-heaters and furnaces. It will help you evaluate their annual operating cost and thus overall efficiency.