How can I make my home more energy efficient?

What have you done to make your home energy efficient?

• Hi, I'm currently doing a student research project on home efficiency. How can we combat peoples bad habits on energy saving around the home? Also I would greatly appreciate ...show more

• Answer:

  The link to your questionnaire is not working All but the light bar in one of the bathrooms are fluorescent of one type or another; we only use at most half of the light bulbs in that fixture. We have photocell night lights in the bathroom with window and hallway to reduce nighttime light use in those places. Replaced electric baseboard heating with forced air gas. However, the gas furnace uses more electricity for the required fans and venting than what we used with the electric base board. So, we try to not use the heat any more than necessary which requires us to not only layer but bundle in the house, use blankets, an electric cuddle blanket, a propane heater, and now we're trying out an electic 7-fin oil filled heater we take from room to room. Most of the windows are covered in blankets in summer and winter; wool and better quality bed comforters seem to work best. We installed vynil, double paned windows through the local energy company of dubious value; if I had cash flow, I would replace with better quality triple pane for serious energy, dollar and comfort savings. Replaced the older, larger, electric hot water tank with the best quality gas available through the local power company which has resulted in greater electricity use, additional gas use, cooler water, MUCH more wasted water waiting for something warmish to come through; it takes a good 10 minutes of use to actually come through reasonably hot. I am thinking of adding in-line, electric heaters for the hot water. I am insulated to and/or above code but am considering more after I address my newer "energy efficient" gas systems. I have a fair amount of tree coverage but, lost the woods (more deep forest syle) and effectively wet lands behind me about 15 years ago when they put in a grade school with a lot of black top. As a result, my trees have been greatly affected, I've had to take 6 firs out, two and a half have crashed down, and I have a few more that I now need to take down. When I moved in 20 years ago, I covered up the scrawny patch of grass out front with a few more evergreen needles the first time I swept the root rather than buy the quality of lawn mower I would have had to. My yard is pretty much self maintaining natives and naturalizing horticulturals; until a few years ago, I only had to water once or twice as a 4th of July fire prevention and then again sometime in August depending upon the rain fall. Increasing as area and back yard trees are removed, I am having to mulch which I do with "barn cleanings" (a reasonably green mix of wood shavings, maneur, and urine). I am currently battling invasive Hymilian blackberry and English ivy; this year I think I'll be able to plant for more shade, which impedes both, habitat, food sources, and year 'round visual appeal. I am also going to work a shade patch (nothing quite so maintained as a hedge for labor savings, food source, coverage within bird feeder range, oh and asthetics) of a native a bit beyond the back, afternoon sun facing windows. I have some significantly diverse micro climates within my little "shy 1/3rd acre" yard and I plant for survival of the fittest amoung them. I am in the process however, of making micro-climate change considerations within my planting scemes. In the summer, we actively use window coverings on/open and off/closed to moderate the summer heat with respect to the position of the sun. I have one heck of a lot of attic, off-heating from my new "energy efficient" gas systems which I'm starting to condsider addressing too. (I simply need to do a significant learning curve on HVAC systems et. al. and, I've avoided it.) When I get the westward facing shade plot in its correct position (I've had them naturally multiplying in a spot for two years.) then I plan on considrering and deciding on some decorative, shade trellises of some type for the back yard. I would like to be able to selectively capture and use various, household grey waters. My thought is a valve at each exit source (i.e. sinks, dish washer, tub, washing machine) that would direct the exiting water either for re-use in the yard or to the septic tank; eventually it will be sewer whether I like it or not, while I do not have grass that grows green over the septic tank, I do believe that my drainage system has its own microclimate that relys on my septic system) Then, I would like to have a series of gravity fed, white, flexible plastic plumbing tubing with small soaker types holes in it, that arc across my generally downward sloping, back yard. My county is definitely prescribes to the storm drain concept and even a regular building permit begins with a pre-permit process conference of 6 to 24 experts at $250/hour each. Rain barrels are encouraged by one group yet, against code. Depending upon the inspector, I may be required to go code which requires all gutters to be piped and emptied into the exiting sewer system; of course for a metered fee to boo