ListingLife
NOV 2009Your Green House: Energy Efficiency Goes Up, Power Bills Go Down
By Lynn Coulter
When you’re buying a home, think green. Green is more than just the color of energy efficiency. It’s also the color of all the money you’ll save when you reduce your power bills.
Proper insulation is one key to a "green" home, says Lynn Wallace, a spokesperson for Georgia Power, a Southern Company subsidiary.
During cold weather, insulation keeps heated air inside, so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard. During warmer months, it prevents cooled air from escaping, easing the demand on air-conditioning units.
Insulation is rated by R-value, a measure of its effectiveness. 'We recommend an insulation value of at least R-30 in ceilings, R-13 in walls, and R-11 in floors," Wallace says.
While insulation is an investment, there are also other, less expensive ways to cut your energy usage.
- During the winter, open blinds and curtains to let the sun warm your home.
- Use ceiling fans. You’ll feel cooler without having to lower the thermostat.
- Make sure warm and cool air from your system can circulate freely; dirt and other obstructions force a system to work harder. So, change the air filters at least every three months. Keep vents and registers clear of drapes and furniture; vacuum them regularly.
- Don't "bump" your thermostat up and down. Set it at a consistent temperature that’s comfortable for you. Add a programmable thermostat, if you don’t have one.
- Change regular light bulbs to CFLs, compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFLs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
- Ask your local power company for a free energy audit. Many companies will send a consultant to evaluate your home and suggest personalized money-saving tips. Energy-saving appliances and other improvements may also come with incentives like tax credits or deductions that make “greening-up” your home even more beneficial.
