Energy Efficiency and Your Home

Energy Efficiency - Your First Step Towards Clean Energy and Energy Independence

The first step before purchasing a solar electric or wind power system to meet your electricity needs is to intelligently reduce those needs. Most homes can inexpensively reduce their electricity demands by 20 to 30% without ever having to make any adjustments in the lifestyles of the occupants. We provided you with many energy saving tips in this article, such as:

• Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones.
• Upgrading your older appliances with EnergyStar star ones that have a very low annual energy consumption rating.
• Minimize the many hidden phantom (ghost) loads in your house.
• Insulate your home well for colder seasons.
• Creatively use vegetation to keep your home cool in the summer and maximize sunshine entering the house in the winter.
• Use solar heating technologies (not to be confused with solar electric technologies) to cost effectively reduce how much your traditional air or water heating systems have to work.

There are literally hundreds of other little tricks and smart tweaks you can make to your home that will further reduce your electrical demands. Consider picking up a copy of the book '10-Minute Energy-Saving Secrets - 250 Easy Ways to Save Big Bucks Year Round' by Jerri Farris to learn of many of the other quick and easy ways to reduce your home's consumption of energy.