Energy Savers

Random Acts of Kindness: Helping Others Save Energy

A few years ago, my family gathered in Mississippi for a funeral. While we were there, we undertook the renovation of a living area and found it was quick and easy to make some energy efficient choices. We replaced all of the regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) wherever practical and installed timers for lamps in the family room.

The changes stuck. The home owner still uses CFLs, having replaced one or two of the bulbs since then, and the timers have come in handy. The amount of energy saved isn't insignificant either, with the (small) investment having repaid itself several times over.

10 Resources to Help You Save Energy Now

A lot of the feedback that I see about the Energy Savers.gov site says, "This is great, but way too detailed. I just want to know what's easy and what I can do now!" And that makes sense; EnergySavers.gov has a lot of information about a lot of topics—you can learn about buying efficient appliances, choosing new heating and cooling systems, selecting windows, and even how to use renewable energy.

But not everyone wants to make a big purchase right now; many of you want to know how you can save with what you have or with just a small investment in time and money. These 10 resources detail easy ways that you can start saving now:

Thinking From a Whole-Building Approach

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a few tools you could use to find out how much energy you could make off of solar or wind resources at your home.

But now I'm thinking that I went at that from the wrong angle. Because realistically, when it comes to making your home more efficient, renewable energy is probably the last step you'll consider taking.

If you drop by the EERE Building Technologies Program, which handles building research and energy efficient building technologies, you'll see that they emphasize the importance of whole building design. The idea is simple: Energy efficient houses are made when every part of the home is working efficiently—not just one part.

So let's not look at renewables by themselves. Let's look at where they fall in the grand scheme of things.

Winter Warmth Tips for Senior Citizens

O, wind, if winter comes,
can spring be far behind?
- Percy Bysshe Shelley, Poet

A cooling draft of air across your cheek can be a pleasant experience on a warm day in August, but that same cooling draft is less enjoyable when experienced inside your home during winter months. Our rural home was built 40 years ago, and like many old homes has its share of old inefficient windows. Old Man Winter sneaks through those windows on windy days, so when Mom comes to visit in the winter, she invariably heads straight for the warmth of the comfy recliner next to our propane fireplace. Nor is she alone.

Seniors can be especially susceptible to even moderately colder temperatures even while indoors. To help reduce the potential for hypothermia (PDF 919 KB, Download Adobe Reader), the National Institutes of Health recommends that seniors set their thermostats for at least 68 to 70 degrees in the winter. For seniors on fixed incomes, however, the energy costs associated with maintaining a home at this temperature may be unrealistic. Low-income seniors may benefit from the Weatherization Assistance Program or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Too, many of the weatherization tips discussed this month as part of the Energy Savers Blog would be worth considering for seniors.

Additionally there are a wide range of no-cost or low-cost strategies that can increase a senior's comfort in the home and supplement other heating measures:

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Existing Windows

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

No one would dispute the undeniable beauty of soft, dappled light shining through a window in the early morning. Unless, of course, you happen to be one of the many Americans whose windows are letting in more than just light. Poorly fitted or sealed windows can be a major frustration during the winter months, letting in cold drafts that blur the lines between indoors and out. Unfortunately, this isn't just an issue of comfort. Windows with air leaks pose a real energy efficiency problem as well. Not only does the cold air that seeps into your home through these leaks force your heating system to work that much harder to maintain a stable and comfortable temperature; poorly fitted and sealed windows also make it that much easier for the warm air inside your home to get out.  In fact, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that as much as one third of the average home's heat loss occurs through windows and doors.

Long-term fixes for air leaks typically involve the purchase of replacement windows. However, replacement windows aren't an option for everyone. For some, the cost is prohibitive; and for renters, replacement windows might not even be a possibility. Luckily there are a variety of options for consumers who are looking to improve the energy efficiency of their existing windows. Used individually or in combination, the following tips can help to mitigate heat loss, reduce drafts, and generally make your home a more comfortable place to be this winter: 

Get Your Windows and Doors Ready for Winter

If you're anything like my husband, there is a science to when you open and close your windows and window coverings. During the summer, he is determined to capture Colorado's cool night air to avoid using our air conditioner—in spite of (or maybe because of) the comical sight of his always-freezing wife bundled up in robes and blankets in the middle of July.

These days, however, our goals are changing (much to my delight). The weather is turning colder and now we want to keep the heat in. We aren't lucky enough to have a good passive solar home design, but we do get good sun from the south and west, so in the winter we keep our curtains open during the day to capture that wonderful natural heat. As soon as the sun goes down, we shut everything up tight to keep the house as warm as possible. Good window coverings help prevent that heat from escaping.