This article is part 4 of Energy-Efficient Windows.
Movable insulation, such as insulating shades, shutters, and drapes, can be applied on the inside of windows to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Shading devices, such as awnings, exterior shutters, or screens, can be used to reduce unwanted heat gain [...]
This article is part 3 of Energy-Efficient Windows.
Manufacturers usually represent the energy efficiency of windows in terms of their U-values (conductance of heat) or their R-values (resistance to heat flow). If a window’s R-value is high, it will lose less heat than one with a lower R-value. Conversely, if a window’s U-value is low, it [...]
This article is part 2 of Energy-Efficient Windows.
When air leaks around windows, energy is wasted. Energy is also transferred through the centers, edges, and frames of windows. Eliminating or reducing these paths of heat flow can greatly improve the energy efficiency of windows and, ultimately, of homes. Several options are available to reduce air [...]
This article is part 1 of Energy-Efficient Windows.
Windows bring light, warmth, and beauty into buildings and give a feeling of openness and space to living areas. They can also be major sources of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. In 1990 alone, the energy used to offset unwanted heat [...]
This article is part 3 of Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy.
If you are selecting a pool heater, ask for as energy-efficient model as you can afford. Several heat pump manufacturers make retrofit desuperheater coils for pool heating, and several make heat pumps for pool heating. These may be cost [...]
This article is part 2 of Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy.
Almost all of a pool’s heat loss—about 95 percent—occurs at the surface, mostly through evaporation to the air and radiation to the sky. A pool cover is an effective means to keep heat (and water) in a pool by [...]
This article is part 1 of Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy.
Swimming pools provide a great way to exercise and beat the summer heat. Building and maintaining a pool, however, also means relatively high costs added to your household’s budget. There are several ways that you can reduce operating and [...]
This article is part 9 of Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home.
Appliances account for about 20% of your household’s energy consumption, with refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers at the top of the consumption list.
When you’re shopping for appliances, you can think of two price tags. The first one covers the purchase [...]
This article is part 8 of Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home.
Increasing your lighting efficiency is one of the fastest ways to decrease your energy bills. If you replace 25% of your lights in high-use areas with fluorescents, you can save about 50% of your lighting energy bill.
Indoor Lighting
Use linear fluorescent and energy-efficient [...]
This article is part 7 of Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home.
Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to keep your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills. In addition to adding aesthetic value and environmental quality to your home, a well-placed tree, shrub, or vine can deliver effective shade, act [...]
