Earth Gauge » Energy Efficiency

Car Idling

espinoza — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:56:57 +0000

For every two minutes a car idles, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to drive one mile. While it may be tempting to idle your car for a few minutes to “warm it up” during winter, 30 seconds is plenty of time to get going. Tailpipe emissions from cars contain pollutants that impact human health and the environment.

Viewer Tip: If just 10 percent of the estimated 65 million garage-owners in the United States cut idling by five minutes per day, we’d save about 84.5 million gallons of gas in a year! Remember that driving your car is the best way to warm it up. Excessive idling can actually damage your car’s engine, but frequently restarting the engine has little impact. Cut-down on idling even more by turning off the engine if you are sitting in a drive-through or school pick-up line for more than 10 seconds – 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters. Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

(Sources: California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center: Should I Shut off the Motor When I’m Idling my Car? 2006-2011. http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html; Rogers, Elizabeth and Thomas M. Kostigen. The Green Book. 2007.)

Holiday Gatherings

espinoza — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:15:39 +0000

The holiday season is a time for happy gatherings of family and friends. But a house full of guests can also result in higher energy bills, increased water use and stressed septic systems. Try these easy tips for a happy, healthy and environmentally-friendly holiday gathering.

Heating Help: Keep everyone warm and save energy at the same time by using a programmable thermostat. Homeowners can save up to 180 dollars per year by using a programmable thermostat to automatically reduce heating when it’s not needed as much – such as when you are sleeping or away from home. Learn more about programmable thermostats: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TH
A Water Efficient H2Oliday: Prepping and cleaning up after a holiday meal can use a lot of water. Save a few gallons by thawing frozen foods in the refrigerator instead of using running tap water. Scrape dirty dishes before you put them in the dishwasher rather than rinsing to save even more. If every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on Christmas Day, we would save more than one billion gallons of water! Learn more about saving water at home: www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html
Septic Smarts: For the 20 percent of Americans who use septic tanks for wastewater treatment, extra guests can overwhelm the system. Remind houseguests not to use drains and toilets as trash cans. And make sure your system is properly maintained to avoid backups and overflows – not only are these costly for homeowners, but they can also contaminate well water and community drinking water supplies. Learn more about septic systems: cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/

(Sources: Energy Star Program. “Programmable Thermostats.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TH; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Winter Tips.” http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-winter.htm; Keehner, Denise M., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands Oceans and Watersheds. “Holidays can pose challenges for those with septic systems: Easy ways to keep your holidays smelling sweet.”)

Drafty Ducts

espinoza — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:32:43 +0000

In a typical home, up to 20 percent of air that moves through a duct system escapes through leaks and poorly sealed connections! Leaky ducts allow warm air to escape before it reaches heating vents. This can make it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home and result in bigger energy bills.

Viewer Tip: Is your winter energy bill on the rise? Give your home ductwork a check-up. While some ducts are hidden in walls and between floors, exposed ducts can be found in attics, basements, garages and crawl spaces. Use duct sealant (or mastic) to seal and repair duct leaks and increase energy efficiency. Your furnace won’t have to work as hard, and you’ll stay warmer and save money.

Learn more about sealing and insulating your home at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing.

(Source: Energy Star. “Air Seal and Insulate with Energy Star.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing)

Light Up with LEDs

espinoza — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:55:31 +0000

Energy use in the United States typically increases during the holiday season. At this time of year, festive holiday lights that decorate homes and neighborhoods across the country can drive up energy demand and home energy bills.

Viewer Tip: Hold on to the holiday spirit while saving energy and money this season. Look for holiday lights that have earned the Energy Star, which means they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Many Energy Star labeled strands use light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are more efficient than their traditional incandescent counterparts:

Energy-Saving: Energy Star light strands use about 70 percent less energy than conventional incandescent lights. The amount of energy used by just one incandescent bulb could power 140 LEDs – that’s enough lights for two 24-foot strings!
Long-lived: LED light strands last up to 10 times longer than traditional strands.
Safer: LED lights stay cool to the touch, which reduces the risk of fire.

Add a timer to your holiday lighting display to save even more energy. Set lights to turn on at night and off during the day.

Learn more about efficient holiday lighting: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=DS

(Source: Energy Star. “Decorative Light Strings.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=DS)

Lighten Up

espinoza — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:05:56 +0000

Fewer daylight hours and cooler temperatures mean that many people spend more time inside during the fall and winter months. While up to half of the energy used in a typical home goes towards heating and cooling, other home features like water heaters, appliances and lighting contribute to energy bills. Swapping traditional light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) is one of the easiest ways to start saving energy at home and at work.

Viewer Tip: Look for light bulbs that have earned the Energy Star, which means they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Consider these facts and figures:

An average Energy Star qualified light bulb uses 75 percent less energy than a standard bulb and lasts about six times longer.
Energy Star CFLs emit less heat than traditional light bulbs.
Swapping one traditional bulb for an Energy Star bulb can save 40 dollars or more over the lifetime of the bulb. Swap five and save over 200 dollars!

Get tips for purchasing CFL light bulbs – including choosing light intensity, color and size – at www.energystar.gov/ia/products/fap/purchasing_checklist_revised.pdf.

Download image in high resolution
(1280×720 jpg file)

Download image in low resolution
(640×360 jpg file)

(Sources: Energy Star. “Save Energy at Home: Lighting.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_save_energy_at_home, and “CFLs: Savings.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_savings)

Save 10 Gallons of Water per Day

espinoza — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:09:44 +0000

Did you know that toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home? They account for nearly 30 percent of your family’s water use indoors!

Viewer Tip: If you are searching for ways to save money on your water bill, look for the WaterSense label at your local home improvement store. A WaterSense labeled toilet is independently certified to use 20 percent less water than a standard model, while still providing flushing power. By replacing an older, inefficient toilet with a WaterSense labeled toilet, each person in your family can save 10 gallons of water per day!

Want to save even more water? Give your bathroom a mini-makeover: add a WaterSense labeled faucet and showerhead, in addition to the toilet. Your family can save enough water to wash six months’ worth of laundry, enough electricity to run the refrigerator for two months, and 80 dollars in utility bills every year!

This information is provided by the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense Program. Learn more at www.epa.gov/WaterSense.

Heating Season is Here

espinoza — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:57:28 +0000

Did you know that the average family spends about 2,200 dollars per year on energy bills? Nearly half of that money goes towards heating and cooling a home or apartment.

Viewer Tip: As the weather cools down, try these tips from Energy Star to stay warm while saving energy and money.

Get a check-up: Poor maintenance and dirt are leading causes of heating system failure. If you have heating equipment that is more 10 years old, schedule a check-up with a licensed contractor who can make sure everything is working properly.
Change filters: Check on your heating system’s filter each month – if it’s dirty, change it. Filters should be changed at least every three months.
Pay attention to Problems: Too hot or cold? Too humid? Really dusty? These problems mean that you may need to seal air leaks around your home. You can use caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to keep cold air out and save on your energy bill. Learn more about sealing leaks at www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing.

Find more energy-saving tips and home improvement advice at www.energystar.gov.

(Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. Energy STar Program. “Heat Smartly with Energy Star.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home)

Work for Energy Savings

espinoza — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:59:37 +0000

Did you know that commercial and industrial buildings account for up to half of energy use in the United States? Many of the simple energy-saving steps we use at home can be implemented at work, too.

Viewer Tip: Every October, government organizations, businesses, associations and individuals observe Energy Awareness Month with activities and programs to reduce energy consumption in our daily lives. Why not make your time at work more energy efficient?

Up to 35 percent of the electricity used in an office building is consumed by lighting! If you have a desk lamp, replace a traditional light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL). CFLs use about 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer.
Have a window near your desk? Reduce energy needs for cooling and heating: Close blinds during warm weather to keep out the sun’s heat; on cold days, leave blinds open during daylight hours to let in the sun’s warmth.
Keep air vents clear of papers, files and office supplies. It can take up to 25 percent more energy to pump air into a workspace if vents are blocked.

Energy Star has many more tips for going green at work. Visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=energy_awareness.awareness_you_can_do.

(Source: U.S. EPA and DOE. “Bring Your Green to Work with Energy Star.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=bygtw.showSplash)

Heat Build-Up

espinoza — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:09:33 +0000

During the summer, we often think about how to stay cool while saving energy and money on utility bills. While there are many adjustments you can make to your home cooling system to save energy, it’s also important to reduce heat build-up in your home so that your cooling system doesn’t have to work overtime.

Viewer Tip: Simple changes to your daily activities on hot days can help reduce the amount of heat build-up in your home.

Cooking: On hot days, use the stovetop or microwave instead of the oven. If you cook on the stovetop, use the ventilation fan to remove heat from your home.
Showering and bathing: Using hot water can heat up your home. Use a ventilation fan while showering and bathing to remove heat and humidity form your home.
Appliances: Try to wait until the early morning or evening hours to use appliances that generate heat, including the dishwasher, clothes dryer and small devices like hair dryers and curling irons. Stereos, televisions and computers also generate some heat.

(Source: U.S. Department of Energy. “Energy Savers: Avoiding Heat Buildup.” http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12353)

Cool Roofs

espinoza — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:55:25 +0000

On a hot summer day in the United States, a traditional roof can get as hot as 185 degrees! Hot roofs contribute to the urban heat island effect, where temperatures in cities are warmer that surrounding natural areas. One way to reduce the urban heat island effect in cities is to install cool roofs, using materials that reflect heat and stay cooler than traditional roofs. For comparison, a black roof can reach over 180 degrees and a metal roof can reach 160 degrees on a hot sunny day, whereas a cool roof will only reach a peak temperature of about 120 degrees. And, because a cool roof transfers less heat to the building below, it can help save on air conditioning energy costs for a home or building.

Viewer Tip: If you are replacing a roof or building a home, consider using cool roofing materials. Cool roofing can be used on any building, but is especially useful when:

The weather is 80 degrees or hotter with clear skies for at least three months each year;
You use significant energy for cooling at least three months out of the year;
Your home or building duct system is in the attic;
The roof accounts for at least one-fourth of the building’s exterior surface;
You notice that your roof materials crack or age prematurely from sun damage.

Learn more about Cool Roofs from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/coolroofs.htm.

(Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Cool Roofs,” in Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Available from www.epa.gov/heatisland)

Light the Way to Savings

espinoza — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:47:32 +0000

Making improvements to your lighting is one of the easiest at-home energy efficiency jobs you can take on. According to the Department of Energy, an average household dedicates 11 percent of its energy budget to lighting. Summer is a great time to take advantage of the long hours of sunlight during the day – using natural light and keeping the lights off as long as possible will save money and energy.

Viewer Tip: Making use of natural light is not the only way to save. Try these other indoor lighting tips:

Use Energy Star compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They use about 75 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs, produce 75 percent less heat and last up to 10 times longer.
Use light dimmers. You can save electricity by lowering light levels.
Try motion sensor lighting. Lights will automatically turn on when someone is in the room and turn off when the room is empty.

(Source: U.S. Department of Energy, www.energy.gov)

Cool Efficiently

espinoza — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:28:43 +0000

When the temperature goes up outside, so does the demand for energy for cooling. Research shows that for every one degree Fahrenheit increase in outdoor air temperatures, demand for energy increases by 1.5 to two percent! Rising energy use can lead to an increase in air pollutant emissions, which impact human health and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog.

Viewer Tip: As the temperature rises, give these tips a try to save energy at home while staying cool.

Bump the thermostat up to 78 degrees when no one is home. For each degree you raise the thermostat, you’ll save three to five percent on air conditioning costs. Close shades and curtains during the day to keep the heat out.
Run a ceiling fan to create a breeze. Raising the thermostat by just two degrees and using a ceiling fan can reduce cooling costs by up to 14 percent! Remember that fans only cool people – turn them off when you leave a room.
If you are purchasing a room air conditioner, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star qualified models use at least ten percent less energy than standard models.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Heat Island Impacts.” http://www.epa.gov/heatisld/impacts/index.htm; U.S. EPA, “EPA Offers Cooling Tips for Every Budget this Summer.” http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/386ebff0a635644f8525773c004d84d3!OpenDocument)

Pump Water with the Power of the Sun

espinoza — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:19:13 +0000

Farmers and ranchers throughout the United States are using solar power to pump water for their livestock and irrigation. Solar pumping works anywhere the sun shines and most parts of the United States have plenty of sunlight to run these pumping systems. Solar pumping is a natural match for summer grazing applications, since the solar energy produces the greatest volumes of water in sunny weather and during long summer days—exactly when animals need water the most.

Viewer Tip: The economics of using solar power for water pumping depends on several factors. Your distance from power lines and the current cost of power are two important factors. To learn more and find out if switching to a solar powered livestock watering system is right for your farm, visit http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/solarlswater.pdf.

This information is provided by ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.

Smart Energy Savings

espinoza — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:55:55 +0000

The average family in the United States spends about 1,900 dollars each year on home utility bills. Heating and cooling systems account for nearly half of those costs.

Viewer Tip: No matter how you cool and ventilate your home, there are easy ways to save energy and stay comfortable as the temperature rises.

If you have an outside air conditioning unit, keep it cool by shading it with trees or shrubs. This will increase the air conditioner’s efficiency by as much as 10 percent.
Use ceiling fans to supplement air conditioning. Circulating cool air with a ceiling fan can allow you to raise the thermostat by as much as four degrees, reducing the amount of time your air conditioning system runs.
Close blinds and curtains closed during the day to keep heat from sun out of your home.

Season: Summer

(Sources: The Ocean Project, www.theoceanproject.org; U.S. Department of Energy, www.energy.gov)

When it comes to utilities, the average U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills! And most of that is wasted energy. For a single home, more carbon dioxide is emitted into the air by fossil fuels for generating electricity than two average cars each year. Take some simple steps and start making changes today!

Viewer Tips: Use these easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy:

· If you have an outside air conditioning unit, keep it cool by shading it with trees or
shrubs. This will increase the AC’s efficiency by as much as 10 percent.
· Save money and energy by installing and/or using ceiling fans. When running ceiling
fans in the summer, it can allow you to raise your air conditioner temperature by as
much as four degrees Fahrenheit, allowing the system to not run as long and hard
and reducing energy.
· Save energy by drying your clothes outside on nice weather days. If you must use
your dryer, clean the filter thoroughly after each load and don’t waste time and
energy over drying clothes.

AC Check-Up

espinoza — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:42:31 +0000

Spring is the perfect time of year to give your home cooling equipment a check-up. Fixing any problems now will help you avoid air-conditioning problems when hot weather arrives. And, well-maintained air conditioning systems cool more efficiently, saving energy and money.

Viewer Tip: You can perform a cooling system check-up yourself or ask a professional for help. According to EPA’s Energy Star program, a typical check-up should include:

Tightening electrical connections. Faulty connections can be unsafe and reduce the life of your system.
Lubricating moving parts to reduce friction in motors and increase energy efficiency.
Checking the condensate drain. A plugged drain can affect indoor humidity levels and cause water damage in your home.
Checking system controls for safe operation. Make sure your system starts, stops and operates as it should.
Cleaning air conditioning coils for increased energy efficiency and to prolong the life of the equipment.
Checking refrigerant level and adjusting if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant can affect system efficiency.
Cleaning and adjusting blower components for good airflow. Problems with airflow can reduce an air conditioning system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent!

(Source: Energy Star. “Maintenance Checklist.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_maintenance)

Home Energy Advice

espinoza — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:46:17 +0000

Have you noticed higher energy bills recently? Fewer daylight hours, more time spent inside and chilly temperatures in many parts of the country mean that energy bills are on the rise at this time of year. Luckily, Energy Star has easy-to-use tools to help you assess and reduce the amount of energy used at home. And don’t worry if you live in a warm climate – these tools have recommendations for you, too!

Home Energy Yardstick: Enter information from your energy bill, your home’s square footage and your zip code to compare your household energy use to others around the country. Visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=HOME_ENERGY_YARDSTICK.showGetStarted.
Home Advisor: With just a few pieces of information – your zip code, the type of heating and cooling equipment you use, and the type of water heater you have – you can get instant tips to save energy at home. Tips include low-cost actions, such as sealing air leaks and choosing efficient light bulbs, and long-term investments like replacing windows and purchasing energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment. Visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=home_energy_advisor.showGetInput.

Season: Winter

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. “Home Energy Yardstick,” www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=HOME_ENERGY_YARDSTICK.showGetStarted; “Home Advisor,” www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=home_energy_advisor.showGetInput)

Light Up With LEDs

espinoza — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:34:45 +0000

Energy use in the United States typically increases during the holiday season. At this time of year, festive holiday lights that decorate neighborhoods across the country can drive up energy demand and home energy bills.

Efficient: Energy Star light strands use about 70 percent less energy than conventional incandescent lights.
Long-lived: LED light strands last up to 10 times longer than traditional strands.
Safer: LED lights stay cool to the touch, which reduces the risk of fire.

Add a timer to your holiday lighting display to save even more energy. Set lights to turn on at night and off during the day.

Learn more about energy efficient holiday lighting from Energy Star at www.energystar.gov.

Seasons: Fall, Winter

(Source: Energy Star. “Decorative Light Strings.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=DS)

America Recycles Day

espinoza — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:57:06 +0000

Today, November 15, is America Recycles Day. When materials are recycled instead of going to a landfill, valuable resources can be recovered and used again. Recycling common household items also has a big impact on energy and water use. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water; recycling just one aluminum can saves the amount of energy needed to power a computer for three hours or run a 100-watt light bulb for 20 hours!

Viewer Tip: Get to know your local recycling system. Find out what materials can be recycled and where they should go. Visit www.cleanup.org and enter your zip code to find information about recycling services in your community. And remember that cell phones, televisions, computer equipment and other electronic wastes can be recycled, too.

Learn more about America Recycles day at www.americarecyclesday.org.

Season: Fall

(Sources: U.S. EPA. “Environmental Benefits of Recycle on the Go.” http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/onthego/benefits/index.htm; Keep America Beautiful. “America Recycles Day is November 15: Help America Recycle More. http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pressreleases_11_9_10; www.americarecyclesday.org)

Heating Season Help (Northeast)

espinoza — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:53:49 +0000

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA’s) Winter Fuels Outlook uses energy price projections and forecasted weather data from NOAA to predict winter heating bills in the United States. This year, EIA estimates that heating bills may be slightly higher in some regions over the six-month period from October 2010 to March 2011. Heating costs vary depending on where you live and what kind of fuel is used to heat your home. In the northeastern U.S., EIA estimates that households using heating oil will pay 13 percent more on heating bills this winter (about 260 dollars), households that use electric heating will pay five percent more (about 65 dollars), households that use propane will pay 14 percent more (about 325 dollars), and households that use natural gas heating will pay 12 percent more (about 120 dollars).

Viewer Tip: Regardless of the type of fuel used to heat your home, there are easy ways to save energy during the heating season.

Let the light in. Open curtains and shades on west- and south-facing windows to let warm sunlight into your home during the day. Close window coverings at night.
Check furnace filters every month. If your filter looks dirty, change it. Filters should be changed at least every three months to maintain efficiency and prevent damage to heating equipment.
Lose the leaks. Seal air leaks around windows and doors with sealant, weather stripping and caulk to keep cold air out of your home and warm air in.

The Alliance to Save Energy provides more tips for an energy efficient home. Visit www.ase.org to learn more.

Seasons: Fall, Winter

(Sources: The Alliance to Save Energy. “Winter Heating Bills: Higher Overall Depending on Region, Energy Efficiency Upgrades.” http://ase.org/efficiencynews/winter-heating-bills-higher-overall-depending-region-energy-efficiency; and “Beat Back Higher Winter Heating Bills, Make Home Energy-Efficiency Upgrades Now, Advises Alliance to Save Energy.” http://ase.org/efficiencynews/winter-heating-bills-higher-overall-depending-region-energy-efficiency)

Heating Season Help (Midwest)

espinoza — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:45:10 +0000

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA’s) Winter Fuels Outlook uses energy price projections and forecasted weather data from NOAA to predict winter heating bills in the United States. This year, EIA estimates that heating bills may be slightly higher in some regions over the six-month period from October 2010 to March 2011. Heating costs vary depending on where you live and what kind of fuel is used to heat your home. In the midwestern U.S., EIA estimates that households using heating oil will pay 10 percent more on heating bills this winter (about 140 dollars), households that use electric heating will pay one percent more (about ten dollars), households that use propane will pay 14 percent more (about 240 dollars), and households that use natural gas heating will pay six percent more (about 45 dollars).

Viewer Tip: Regardless of the type of fuel used to heat your home, there are easy ways to save energy during the heating season.

Let the light in. Open curtains and shades on west- and south-facing windows to let warm sunlight into your home during the day. Close window coverings at night.
Check furnace filters every month. If your filter looks dirty, change it. Filters should be changed at least every three months to maintain efficiency and prevent damage to heating equipment.
Lose the leaks. Seal air leaks around windows and doors with sealant, weather stripping and caulk to keep cold air out of your home and warm air in.

The Alliance to Save Energy provides more tips for an energy efficient home. Visit http://www.ase.org/ to learn more.

Seasons: Fall, Winter