January 27th, 2009
From Green Right Now reports
If you are sitting through an ice storm or watching frigid weather roll your way, the government has a new place to browse online — one hopes by a cozy fire.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) just launched a web site to help Americans discover inexpensive, easy-to-do-fixes, as well as learn long-term strategies for improving their home energy efficiency and lowering energy costs. The site includes financial information links, downloadable resources for consumers and an energy savers blog to share ideas and concerns with others.
With money tight and utility rates continuing to climb nationally, recently as much as 34 percent in some areas, a top concern for homeowners is whether or not they can pay their energy bills. The energysavers.gov site addresses these concerns by providing a toolbox of informational resources that encourage a “whole-building” design approach, where all the parts work together to optimize efficiency and save money.
“The Energy Savers site is a great first stop for personal actions that can make an immediate difference in your energy bill,” Doug Seiter of DOE’s Building Technologies Program said in a statement. “It includes several low-cost, no-cost tips like sealing windows or using a programmable thermostat; it guides folks through a self energy audit and suggests how to work with local providers to install better insulation, new windows and Energy Star appliances; and includes links to financial assistance to complete the package.”
Suggested tips for the home include:
- Turn down the thermostat by just one degree to reduce home heating costs by four percent, which typically saves between $30 and $60 a year, depending on the fuel being used to heat the home.
- Wash clothes in cold water to save your household up to $83 per year.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees.
- Plug leaks or gaps around windows and doors with materials such as caulking, weather-stripping or foam sealants.
- Install proper insulation, especially in the attic and crawl spaces, to reduce household energy costs from $70 to $460 per year.
- Replace the four most used bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent bulbs to save about $195 over the lifetime of the bulbs.
