Windows that can leak money out of your pocket

Windows can be a key feature in a home. Windows provide sight, lighting, ventilation, and solar heating in the cold months. On the down fall side, they can also account for 10% to 25% of your heating bill. During the warmer months, your air conditioner must work harder to cool the hot air from sunny windows. The use of curtains and shade will give your air conditioner a brake. If you live in a warmer climate area, look into low-e windows, which can cut the cooling load by 10% to 15%.
If you still have single-pane windows in your home, like most U.S. homes have, consider replacing them with new double-pane windows with high-performance glass. In the colder climates, select windows that are gas filled with low emissivity (low-e) coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain. If you are building a new home, you can counteract some of the cost by installing more efficient windows because they allow you to buy smaller, less expensive heating and cooling equipment.

Solar water heaters

If you heat water your water with electricity and have high electric rates solar water heating might be the way to go. You will need to have an unshaded, south-facing area on your house. Usually the roof is a key place for this. These solar units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.
There are more than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the United States have invested in solar water heating systems,surveys indicate that more than 94% of these customers say that solar water heating is a good investment. Solar water heating systems are also good for the environment. Solar water heaters help cut down the greenhouse gas emissions that comes with produceing electricity. During a 20-year period, one solar water heater can avoid more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. In my next post I will be talking about different windows that cam save you a lot.

Water heaters

Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 12% of your monthly bill. There are several ways to cut your water heating bills down use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, and buy a new, more efficient hot water heater. If you all ready have these things done here are some other tips you can do. Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads. Repair leaky faucets as soon as possible, a leaky faucet waste water and cost you money. Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes attached to the water heater. Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove buildup that restricts heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take. Lower the thermostat on your water heater. Usually, water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses. In my next post I will be discussing solar water heaters and there efficiency.

Landscaping

Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to keep your home cool in summer and lower your energy bills. A well-placed tree, shrub, or vine can deliver effective shade, act as a windbreak, and reduce your energy bills. Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses for energy. Research shows that summer daytime air temperatures can be 3° to 6° cooler in tree-shaded neighborhoods than in treeless areas. A lattice or trellis with climbing vines, or a planter box with trailing vines, shades the home's perimeter while admitting cooling breezes to the shaded area. So next time you decide to plant trees or redo your landscaping keep in mind that the placement of these plants will affect your energy cost. In my next post I will be talking about different types of water heaters and which ones are more efficient.

Programmable Thermostats

Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a preset schedule. With a programmable thermostat, your equipment doesn't operate as much when you are asleep or when the house, or a part of it, is not occupied. Programmable thermostats can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day) that you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program.
You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours. You can do this automatically by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.In my upcoming post I will be talking about different landscaping ideas to make your house look good and more energy friendly.

Air Conditioners

Purchasing a larger room air-conditioning unit won't necessarily make you feel more comfortable during the hot summer days. In fact, a room air conditioner that's too large for the area it’s supposed to cool will perform less efficiently and less effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit.

Sizing is equally important for central air-conditioning systems, which need to be sized by professionals. If you have a central air system in your home, set the fan to shut off at the same time as the cooling unit. In other words, don't use the system's central fan to provide circulation, but instead use circulating fans in individual rooms.

Natural Gas and Oil Heating Systems

If you are planning to perches a new heating system and chooses gas or oil, ask your local utility provider or state energy office for information on the newest models available to consumers. They can tell you about more efficient systems on the market today. For example, many newer models have incorporate designs for burners and heat exchangers that result in higher efficiencies during operation and reduce heat loss when the equipment is off. Consider a sealed combustion furnace; they are both safer and more efficient.
If you are in the market for a new furnace install a new energy efficient one. Be sure to check the energy star guide. Another thing you should do is install carbon monoxide detectors. This is a deadly gas that can be produced if the furnace malfunctions.