How Can I Reduce My Home Energy Costs?
Questions to Consider
Ronald Sauve
Are you spending more and more money on energy expenses? You cannot do much about the cost of gas for your car, but there are many things you can do to lower the cost of energy needed in your home.
Here are some questions we should consider when looking at how we can reduce our energy costs. Throughout this website we address how to treat your home as a system and ways you can make everything work together more efficiently to save real money.
1. Your home as a system; the most important issue to consider
2. Special problems with older homes What factors do you think you need to address with an older home?
Windows – Should they be replaced? What other options could I consider?
Doors – Should they be replaced? What other options could I consider?
Insulation – What do I need to think about when considering whether to add insulation?
3. Windows
What factors do I need to think about with regard to windows?
If I install new windows, what types should I consider?
What other options are there?
Storm windows
Gaskets
Caulking
4. Doors
What factors do I need to think about with regard to doors?
If I install new doors, what types should I consider?
What other options are there?
Storm doors
Gaskets
Caulking
5. Insulation and Air Leakage What factors do I need to think about with regard to insulation?
If I install new insulation, what types should I consider?
Fiberglass batts? Blown in cellulose? Rigid foam? Foam in place?
Vapor barriers
Caulking
Sealing drafts
Attic/Ceilings
Walls
Floors
Basements/Crawl spaces/Foundations
Pipes
Receptacles/Switches/Light boxes
6. Heating System
What factors do I need to think about with regard to my heat source?
If I choose to install a new system, what types should I consider?
If I choose a boiler, should I use a “tankless coil” or a separate tank for hot water?
What other options are there?
Boiler? Furnace? Electric baseboard? Radiant heat, hot water or electric?
Oil? Gas? Wood?
Programmable thermostats
7. Heating with wood
Will I save money?
How efficient is it really?
Heat loss up the chimney
If I use a fireplace, what if I install glass doors
8. Heat Recovery Ventilators
Their role in a Systems Approach
Health considerations
9. Air Conditioning
What are EER ratings?
Should I consider Window units, Split systems, or Central Air?
If I choose Central Air, where will I run the ductwork?
Hi velocity systems, are they for me?
10. Electrical Use
If I have an electric hot water heater, how can I reduce my electrical usage? Should I lower the temperature setting? If so, how much?
Legionnaires’ disease
Should I install a timer?
Pipe and tank insulation
Copyright 2008 Ronald Sauve All Rights Reserved
This page was last modified on April 27, 2010
Bookmark this site!