Energy efficiency within the home:
Many homeowners are choosing to build solar panels into their roofs as a means of obtaining solar energy. Solar panels absorb direct sunlight, which they convert into useable energy for the household. Using sun energy prevents the need for some fossil fuels whose combustion results in worldwide pollution. However, the downside to using solar power is that during the night, or on cloudy or rainy days when the clouds block the sun, there is very little sunlight available to be converted into energy.
One key to keeping your home energy efficient is knowing how to place windows. If you are building a new home, and would like to keep the heating and air conditioning bill minimal, then there are a few key things that you can do:
1) When you are planning to build your house, try to prevent placing windows that face north. This will prevent excessive drafts during winter months, and will also keep the heat out during the summer. If you really feel you must have windows facing north, try to plan so that they are small, and well insulated.
2) Where north-facing windows are bad for your budget, windows facing south are very helpful. During the winter, they help absorb heat from the outside, and during spring they do not absorb sunlight, keeping the internal temperature regulated.
3) While skylights are very aesthetically pleasing, they are a very poor investment. They often let drafts in during winter, and they absorb a lot of heat during the summer.
Preserving light energy could also help you cut down your energy bill. You can place lighting sensors, dimmers, or timers in your house based on your family’s habits. This will help to decrease the amount of electrical energy that you use on a daily basis. Also, replacing incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent lighting can help make your home more energy efficient.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2007/01/03/2003507701.jpg
ENERGY STAR is also greatly adding to energy conservation efforts by finding new ways to utilize the energy that we do use more efficiently. ENERGY STAR is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR products, such as household appliances, are top of the line products that have met the extremely high standards set forth by the E.P.A. and the Department of Energy. In 2006 alone, Americans saved enough energy to avoid releasing the equivalent of 25 million cars worth of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to preventing environmental harm, energy efficiency is cost-effective as well. In 2006, Americans saved approximately 14 billion dollars on their utility bills by conserving energy.
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/pt_awards/2006_Achievements_Overview.pdf
Sources
Comments (2)
avon2489@... said
at 1:39 pm on Feb 21, 2008
Good job ladies! I would like to personally thank you for saving me money, and it's not because I switched to Geico! I really enjoyed the suggestion to avoid putting windows that face the north, and if I do I will make sure they are small and well insulated.
ravenritzlowe@... said
at 11:31 pm on Feb 21, 2008
I really liked this page because for the most part we tend to think that the only solutions are radical changes to our everyday life, but you showed us that there is a fairly simple way to help by placing windows in certain areas. Great Job. im impressed.
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