This chart shows energy consumption in a typical California home - lighting, appliances, heating & AC use most of the power.
Source:
California Energy Commission
Quick
Win:
Replace bulbs with CFLs
can cut home energy usage by
15%.
Add a
water heater
blanket,
and manage indoor temperatures with a
programmable thermostat
to
cut another 7%-12%.
Save 25%
by (over time) replacing appliances with Energy Star and we
have cut this home’s energy bill in half.
Most
states and locales provide subsidies and tax credits to
help offset purchase costs - click here to find your local
subsidies.
When you
replace appliances, home entertainment, heating or cooling,
use the EPA's EnergyStar best
ratings.
Energy Star
certifies energy efficient items from appliances to air
conditioners to TVs, commerical products like fryers &
vending machines, and even entire homes. Most
Energy Star approved products
save 30 - 80% energy vs. other or older models and cost no
more. For example, an Energy Star refrigerator can save 50%
of the energy vs. a 1993 refrigerator, and can pay for
itself in 15 months.
Here's
how to prioritize when you upgrade or replace.
1. Refrigerators & freezers use the most energy in your
home. Click here to find EnergyStar Refrigerators & freezers
that
reduce energy consumption 40% vs. a 2001 model Pick a
high "% better" model.
2. Home entertainment,
PCs & office equipment
take
15% of your energy. Energy Star PCs, TVs and audio can
cut energy consumption up to 80%. Laptops are more
efficient than desktops. Remember PCs and TVs use more
power when they are "asleep" than on so turn them off
when you're not using them, or plug TVs & office
equipment into a smart power strip to
save the most energy of all.
3. Water & home heating & cooling take another 15%
of power so check here when
you replace your heating, air conditioning system or
water heater. Upgrading your home insulation
,
weather stripping and sealing windows can cut energy
usage by up to 10% for very little money.
4.
Efficient appliances
come
next. Choose models with the highest Modified Energy
Factor (MEF). Run dishwashers and clothes washers only
when full. And run hot water through before turning them
on to eliminate heating the water again!
5. Solar water heaters and wind and solar power can help in
warmer and /or breezy climates and you may qualify for tax
incentives.