Posts Tagged ‘energy efficiency’

Mar16
2012

Week #11 – Investments in Big Energy Savings: Cost/Benefit Analysis 101

The first ten tips I have offered so far have been relatively easy and inexpensive to implement.  The next tips will be devoted the things that are not easy and not inexpensive, but in my experience can be totally worth it in the long run.  Over the next several weeks, I’ll cover some of the larger investments, like solar and geothermal.   I’ll address what it is, how it works, and the costs and benefits.  Many of these larger investments also come with either tax credits and/or utility rebates that help defray the upfront cost, which I’ll address at the end of each topic.

Mar02
2012

Weekly Tip #9: Rethink that Lawn

Here’s an energy-saving tip–and pollution-saving tip–that some people don’t always consider because it’s been so ingrained in our culture that we must have vast lawns: get rid of some of it!  Portions of lawns can be converted to many different things: native grasses, native wild flowers, rock gardens, rain gardens, or vegetable beds.  All of these options are still beautiful, require less maintenance, help ground water absorption, and attract more birds and butterflies.  Seriously: do you really need all of that lawn to run around on?

Feb03
2012

Weekly Tip #5: Get A Home Energy Audit

What is a Home Energy Audit?  Does not sound fun, right?  It’s really just a guy (usually it’s a guy – women don’t seem to enter this field very frequently) who is

blower door test on our home

specifically trained and certified to be a residential energy auditor — which means he probably knows more than you do about the mechanics of your house.  He will come to your home for 1 1/2 -3 hours, depending on the type of audit you request, and he’ll have some cool equipment like a big huge fan for the blower door test and infrared camera.  Second, it’s easy: all you have to do is pick up the phone and schedule it; and most utility companies make it pretty inexpensive.

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