Information about Saving Energy  -   Homes use a lot of energy. The typical U.S. family spends a substantial amount of their income on home energy bills, and some of that energy is wasted.

Some ways to save energy are:

• Use a programable thermostat to control the heating and cooling in your home.
• Hire a professional to help you insulate and repair your ducts. Heating and cooling systems use less energy when they are properly maintained. Old, inefficient furnaces should be upgraded.
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a simple and cost-effective way to cut the energy used for lighting.
• Less heat will escape from your water heater if you reduce your hot water temperature and add an insulating blanket and insulate the hot water pipe.
• Old refrigerators are energy hogs. Save money by replacing refrigerators more than 15 years old, even if they still work well.

Here are some no- or low-cost ideas that can help you save energy and money at your home or small business: Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle. Use your microwave instead of a conventional electric range or oven. Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use. Plug home electronics, like TVs and VCRs, into power strips and turn power strips off when equipment is not in use. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater; 115 degrees is comfortable for most uses. Take showers instead of baths to reduce hot water use. Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

New Construction
        If you are starting a new home construction, you have an opportunity to incorporate energy-saving features right from the start. All across the country, savvy homeowners and homebuilders are showing that energy-smart building choices can help homeowners save on energy bills and, at the same time, give homebuilders a competitive advantage. Energy-smart building choices help improve energy performance, lower energy bills, reduce construction costs and waste, reduce callback and warranty problems. Building America teams incorporate innovative energy- and material-saving technologies and building practices right from the start of the home building process, in the design phase.

Energy Star Homes
         Energy Star Homes are 30% more efficient than standard homes built to meet national model energy codes. Building a home with the ENERGY STAR label means lower energy bills, increased comfort, and improved indoor air quality for homeowners. Homebuilders can increase profits and customer satisfaction, and stand out in the marketplace. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 30% more energy efficient than homes built to the 1993 national Model Energy Code or 15% more efficient than state energy code, whichever is more accurate. These savings are based on heating, cooling and hot water energy use and are usually achieved through a combination of: building envelope upgrades, high performance windows, controlled air infiltration, upgraded heating and air conditioning systems, tight duct systems, and upgraded water-heating equipment.

 An ENERGY STAR label is earned only after the home's energy efficiency is verified, either by an independent third party, like an accredited home energy rater or Builder Option Package (BOP) verifier, or by adhering to the quality control procedures established for HUD-code manufactured homes. Any single-family or multi-family residential home that is three stories or less in height can qualify to receive the ENERGY STAR label. This includes traditional site-constructed homes as well as modular, systems-built (ex. insulated concrete forms, structurally insulated panels), and HUD-code manufactured homes. Builders and developers constructing ENERGY STAR qualified new homes do not have to alter their architectural designs. An ENERGY STAR qualified new home can be built in whatever style the consumer wants. To find out if a home is labeled ENERGY STAR, look for the ENERGY STAR label, which should be shown on the circuit breaker box. You can also ask your builder for the home's ENERGY STAR certificate. This optional certificate shows that the home has been verified to meet EPA's ENERGY STAR qualified new homes performance guidelines.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates are that about 10-35% of projected energy use can be saved cost-effectively by 2020.

The National Residential Energy Efficiency Database is an resource feature designed to help residential energy consumers save energy and money. Using the database, residential electric and natural gas customers can find out what programs their utilities offer, such as home energy audits, rebates for energy efficient appliances, and zero- or low-interest loans to upgrade insulation or replace old heating and cooling equipment. The extensive, regularly updated database lists residential energy efficiency programs offered by public and private utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and state agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.