What is Energy Star?

Energy Star is a program run by the U.S. government’s Environmental Protection Agency that is dedicated to helping consumers improve their energy efficiency. The program has many facets, but there are four main areas it addresses: Continue reading »

What To Look For in a New Washer and Dryer

It is important to compare the energy efficiency ratings of different washers before purchasing a new one. Front-loading units are better than top loading because they use less water (especially hot water) and spin more effectively. This means your clothes will be drier when you put them in your dryer and they will take less energy to completely dry. Continue reading »

Regional Climate and Microclimate

When considering how to improve home energy efficiency through landscaping, the first thing to take into account is your regional and local climate. Four regions occur in the United States: temperate, hot-humid, hot-arid, and cool: Continue reading »

Perform A Home Energy Audit

Before starting your home remodeling project, it’s a good idea to evaluate your current energy use so that you can identify the areas that need efficiency improvements. You can perform your own energy audit or you can hire a professional contractor to help. Continue reading »

Site Selection

If you are considering building a green, energy efficient home within an existing community, contact your local government or the Environmental Protection Agency (”EPA”) to locate local “greyfield” or “brownfield” sites for your home.  A greyfield site is one Continue reading »

Buying a New Energy Efficient Dishwasher

When purchasing a new dishwasher, compare models and types and find one that uses the least amount of water per load. Also weigh price against important features like air dry (as opposed to heat dry, which uses a lot of energy), a pre-heater (which makes your hot water hotter - if your dishwasher has this feature reduce the temperature of your hot water heater), and dish load capacity (the larger the dish load capacity, the more efficient the dishwasher). Continue reading »

Buying a New Refrigerator or Freezer

When purchasing a new refrigerator, look for units with magnetically sealing doors, automatic defrost, and automatic moisture control. These features increase the efficiency of your refrigerator or freezer. Continue reading »

Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent lights (”CFLs”) have become widely available in the past few years and are by far the best energy efficient light bulb around. Unlike older fluorescent lights that give off an irritating blue or flickering light, this new generation of fluorescent light bulbs radiates a warm light just like the traditional incandescent bulb, but with a quarter of the energy usage. Continue reading »

Making Your Existing Windows More Energy Efficient

By far the best way to improve energy conservation in your home when it comes to windows is to buy new energy saving ones. This is especially true if you live in an older home. Continue reading »

How To Maximize the Energy Efficiency of Your Existing Water Heater

1. Insulate! The easiest way to pump up your water heater’s energy conservation is to cover the unit with good insulation. You can purchase an insulated jacket that fits most water heaters; however, check your model first as some manufacturers specifically request that you not use insulation. Continue reading »