With today’s ever-increasing energy costs, trying to keep energy bills under control may not always seem like a simple task. If you have an effective strategy that utilizes energy conservation practices and energy efficiency upgrades, you can rest assured you’re doing the best you can to keep more of your money in your pocketbook.
Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency
It’s important to differentiate between energy conservation and efficiency in order to garner maximum savings with the least inconvenience in comfort and services. So, what’s the difference between conservation and efficiency?
Energy conservation is proactively saving energy by using less of a service, such as home cooling, to save energy dollars, but you also sacrifice comfort. Energy efficiency is proactively saving energy through efficiency upgrades and practices with no loss in comfort and service.
Energy Conservation Tips
- Lighting: Decrease wattage in lamps and lighting fixtures to save energy. Lighting accounts for up to 10 percent of the total energy budget. Turning off lights when not in use goes a long way.
- Appliances: Set the dishwasher and washing machine to energy-saving modes. Use only cold water for clothes washing when possible.
- Heat gain/loss: Sunlight streaming through windows is the source for a substantial amount of heat gain and loss during the cooling and heating months. Keep curtains closed on sun-facing rooms during the cooling months, and open during the heating months.
Energy Efficiency Tips
- Lighting: LED lighting can reduce lighting costs by up to 80 percent compared to conventional incandescent lighting.
- Appliances: When it’s time to upgrade appliances, such as the refrigerator, heat pump and water heater, look for Energy Star Most Efficient-rated products. Also, schedule regular HVAC service for maximum cooling and heating efficiency.
- Heat gain/loss: Sealing and insulating the envelope reduces heat gain and loss in big ways for big energy savings. Caulk and weatherstripping are excellent tools for sealing doors, windows and the attic. Attic insulation should be minimum R-38, which is about one foot of fiberglass or cellulose insulation.
For more energy conservation and energy efficiency tips for your Southwest Florida home, please contact Conditioned Air.
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