Insulation and Air Sealing

While energy efficient heating and cooling units are key to controlling energy expenses and reducing consumption, good insulation and air sealing is just as important to the overall equation. Innovative wall structures that accommodate increased insulation levels and air sealing the home to tight levels reduces the amount of energy needed to heat and cool a home. Superior air sealing allows an energy efficient home to minimize energy loss and rely on built-in mechanical ventilation to supply a measured amount of fresh air for the homes' occupants.

Thermostat

Programmable thermostats offer a quick payback in energy savings and reduce energy loss while heating and cooling the home. Easy to use and operate, homeowners can expect a one percent energy savings for each degree a thermostat is set back for eight hours.

Phantom Loads

Phantom loads, ghost loads and standby losses are terms that refer to wasted energy from electronics or devices that are plugged into wall outlets when not being used. Such devices include cell phone chargers with nothing attached or unused appliances, like a toaster. Phantom loads account for six percent of the nation's electrical consumption. It is important to unplug such devices when not in use or use a power strip, which can be turned off when not in use, to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

Ventilation

Ventilation systems presents an opportunity to recover energy, exchange heat and moisture and lower utility bills. Homeowners of a well air-sealed home can take advantage of an air exchange system (typically called a Heat Recovery Ventilator or Energy Recovery Ventilator) to use less energy than a conventional ventilation system.