Annapolis

Green Living

Home Energy Efficiency Tips

By Bonna L. Nelson

Save electric dryer energy by hanging clothes out to dry. If you have no place outside to hang clothes or your neighbors would be unhappy about looking at your laundry flapping in the breeze, try hanging laundry inside, near your washer and dryer or on the shower pole.
Think that compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) are just for indoors? Oh no. CFLs now come in a range of sizes and will fit almost any fixture, so you can also replace incandescent lightbulbs in post lights, porch lights, and other outdoor lighting fixtures. CFLs use only 25 percent as much energy as, and last longer than, incandescent bulbs. Though they are more expensive to purchase you recover the cost in energy savings in only three months of using them.
Install exterior motion-sensor fixtures so that exterior lights only come on when you need them or install attractive solar lights powered by the sun.
Consider skylights, which use natural sunlight to brighten interiors during daylight. Always maximize the use of natural sunlight for your daytime lighting needs.
Choose energy-efficient insulated windows with an ENERGY STAR certification for new construction, remodeling, or additions. Keep windows open so that you can enjoy the fresh spring air and reduce your use of air conditioning. Keep windows clean to let natural light shine in.
Go solar! Solar energy technologies such as solar panels or shingles use sunlight to generate electricity and solar collectors use heat from sunlight to heat water. Passive solar design directs sunlight where you want its heat, light, or both and shades areas you want to keep cool. These principles can guide the design of skylights, windows, and overhangs.
Use the underground, thermal energy in your own backyard for heating, cooling, and hot water. Geothermal systems use just a small amount of electric energy to capture and move a large amount of free thermal energy, resulting in savings of up to 70 percent on heating, cooling, and hot water costs.
Maintain your heating and air conditioning units. Clean coils and clear away debris, trees, and shrubs from around the cooling unit, and change furnace filters and schedule regular cleanings for more efficient heating and cooling.