How to - Energy Efficiency
Here are some great ideas on how to make your home, cabin, or cottage more energy efficient:
If you have any appliances (such as refrigerators, freezers, ovens, stoves, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers)made before 2000, consider purchasing newer ones. Older models use significantly more energy than newer appliances. For example, current energy-efficient refrigerators use on average 40% less energy than models did in 2000. Modern power supplies also shrink idle energy use in appliances by turning them off or putting them into a low-energy “sleep” mode. Energy Star labeled products are recommended. Use compact fluorescent light (CFL) light bulbs in place of incandescent light bulbs. A CFL uses roughly 25% the wattage of an incandescent light bulb and they last over 10,000 hours. Replace your most-used light bulbs first and work your way from there. Turn off and unplug appliances that aren’t being used, or plug them into a power bar and turn it off. This includes computers, TVs, cell phone chargers, etc. Just because the device is off doesn’t mean it’s not drawing power! Have a light colored roof. Dark colored roofs get a lot hotter than any other roof surfaces and they transfer some of this additional heat inside. Light colored roofs use up to 40% less energy for cooling than buildings with darker roofs. Light colored roofs save more energy in sunnier locations. If you’re considering building a cottage or cabin, consider the location and building direction. These play an important role in controlling temperature and light. Trees and hills can provide shade and/or block wind. In colder climates, consider building your cabin with an east-west direction. This will allow you to increase the number of south-facing windows, which will minimize energy use by maximizing passive heating. Of course try to include energy-efficient windows, well-sealed doors, and extra insulation the walls and basement. This can reduce heat loss by up to 50% Another great solution is to produce your own renewable energy. Commercial installations can cost thousands of dollars, but you can make your own solar panels or windmills and generate your own clean power. There are tons of guides that show you how to do this, but you have to watch out because some are just scams. Trust me, I found out the hard way. I made a website to review all the products I bought to save everyone else a lot of time and money.
Learn how to make your own energy with a home solar system or wind power system. Go to http://www.squidoo.com/renewableenergyforhome to see my reviews of solar power and wind power products to increase your energy efficiency.
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