Home Energy Efficiency

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary advantage of living in an energy-efficient home?

Improving the resale value of your home

Keeping your family comfortable and reducing utility bills (correct)

Increasing your utility bills

Reducing your household's carbon footprint

What is a recommended step to conserve energy when you have multiple electronic devices grouped together?

Plug them into a power strip and turn the entire power strip off (correct)

Turn off each device individually

Unplug each device individually

Leave them on to avoid the hassle of restarting

What is the purpose of the ENERGY STAR program?

To promote the use of more energy-intensive appliances

To reduce the cost of manufacturing energy-efficient products

To encourage the use of renewable energy sources

To promote superior energy efficiency and protect the environment (correct)

What should you do with seldom used appliances, such as an extra refrigerator?

Unplug them when not in use Signup and view all the answers

What is an alternative to turning off your computer when you're not using it?

Setting it to hibernate mode Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between energy conservation and energy efficiency?

Energy conservation means saving energy by cutting back, while energy efficiency means saving energy through better products and innovative solutions Signup and view all the answers

Why is it a good idea to unplug battery chargers and power adapters when not in use?

To save energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended thermostat setting in winter for the hours you are home and active?

68 degrees Fahrenheit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a programmable thermostat?

To adjust heating and air-conditioning needs automatically Signup and view all the answers

Why should you open your curtains in the winter months?

To let natural sunlight warm your home at no cost Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended temperature setting for your hot water heater?

120 degrees Fahrenheit Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a home energy audit?

To identify places within the home where energy is being lost Signup and view all the answers

What can be done to prevent energy loss through the ceiling of your home?

Increase ceiling insulation to a higher R-value Signup and view all the answers

Why should you replace old windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows?

To cut your energy bill by up to 15% Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended level of ceiling insulation to cut heating and cooling costs?

R-38 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Home Energy Conservation

Conserving energy and incorporating energy-efficient home improvements can save money and lower household carbon footprint.

Save Electricity

Turning off and unplugging unused devices can conserve energy and save money.
Plug multiple electronic devices into a power strip and turn off with one click when not in use.
Unplug seldom-used appliances, battery chargers, and power adapters when not in use.
Set computers to hibernate mode to save electricity.
Look for ENERGY STAR certified products, which promote superior energy efficiency and save energy.

Save on Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling account for the biggest portion of most homes' energy consumption.
Install a programmable thermostat to adjust heating and cooling needs automatically.
Program thermostat to 68°F in winter and 78°F in summer to save energy.
Open curtains in winter to let natural sunlight warm the home, and close at night to minimize heat loss.
Close curtains in summer to keep the sun's heat out and lessen the burden on the air conditioner.
Maintain heating and cooling systems by cleaning and replacing air filters regularly and arranging for annual maintenance.

Save on Hot Water Costs

Take shorter showers to save on hot water costs.
Install low-flow showerheads to reduce hot water usage.
Check and set the thermostat on the hot water heater to 120°F to reduce water heating costs.

Prevent Energy Loss

Inspect the home for common energy leaks to prevent energy loss.
Check windows for drafts and install weatherstripping to seal up leaks.
Replace old windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows to cut energy bills by up to 15%.
Increase ceiling insulation to a higher R-value (up to R-38) to prevent energy escape.
Consider having a professional home energy audit performed to identify energy leaks and improve energy efficiency.