2. Low Cost Home Improvement Actions
3. Investments You Can Make to Save Energy
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- Replace existing lamps with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) You can save up to 75% on your lighting costs by converting to low-wattage lamps and fixtures. They use a quarter of the energy of regular incandescentlighting while delivering similar brightness.
- Use ENERGY STAR hardwired indoor and outdoor light fixtures.
- Use hardwired motion sensors for indoor and outdoor lighting.
- Use dimmer switches, timers or motion sensors on incandescent lights.
- Caulk windows, doors, pipes, and conditioner. Use weather stripping around windows, doors and pipes.
- Provide shading for your air conditioner. Use deciduous plants or exterior shading devices - shades, awnings or sun screens - to shade your home and windows facing south and/or west to block heat during summer months. Save up to 8% of your cooling costs.
- Computers and electronics: Buy products with the ENERGY STAR label. Visit www.energy.gov for recommended model names.
- Fix defective plumbing or dripping faucets. Water faucet drips cause water loss up to 212 gallons a month and hot water drips waste energy as well.
- Use a swimming pool cover when you're not using the pool. A cover controls water evaporation, keeps the pool warmer, and keeps the pool cleaner so the filter runs less often.
- Get your central heating/cooling system's ducts tested for air leakage. Up to 30% of the heated or cooled air is lost through leaky ducts. Properly sized, installed, and sealed ductwork will make your heating and cooling systems significantly more efficient, and your home more comfortable.