| There are many steps that go into building a home. | | | | same insulation will not perform the same if not |
| There are a few KEY steps that can make a big | | | | installed properly. The days off batt sytle fiberglass |
| difference in your gas and electric bills. Some of the | | | | insulation are in the past. For a quieter and more |
| things to look when building a energy efficient home | | | | energy efficient home use blown cellulose or even |
| are: | | | | blown-in foam. They cost more but they will pay for |
| Low-E Windows: The "E" stand for emissivity, and | | | | themselves quickly in reduced energy bills. |
| the thin metal coating applied to Low-E windows will | | | | Lighting: It is important to make sure that as many |
| allow light in but lessens the effect of the suns heat. | | | | hard-wired lights as possible are compact fluorescent |
| They add energy efficiency in both hot and cold | | | | lights (CFL's) in order to reduce energy consumption. |
| seasons, keeping heat out during the summer and in | | | | Keep unnecessary lighting unplugged and turned off |
| during the winter. | | | | when not in use. Use dimmers to reduce watt usage. |
| Heating and Cooling: Make sure that your home has | | | | Appliances: When purchasing appliances, always look |
| the right size air conditions and heating systems. The | | | | for the ENERGY STAR rated appliances. These |
| performance and efficiency of these units will greatly | | | | products meet strict guidelines approved by the EPA |
| enhance the efficiency and comfort of your home. If | | | | and other agencies, and often use 10-50 percent less |
| your systems are too small or too large, they will | | | | energy and water than other models. |
| operate less efficiently, thereby increasing heating | | | | By incorporating the above products you will be |
| cooling bills! | | | | saving money and saving the environment at the |
| Insulation: Not all insulation is the same and even the | | | | same time through energy efficient construction. |