Having proper windows fitted has made the biggest difference, we have not turned on the heater in over three years since.
Mark @ Travelrobe | October 20. 2009 15:36

I installed GreenSwitch, an energy management system that helps eliminate daily energy consumption.
Verenice Lopez | March 23. 2010 11:42

Cocoon insulation (R38 at the roof sheathing level, non-vented attic), zoned hvac system (individual room), window shading via overhangs, low SHG glass.
Robert D. Feibleman | May 21. 2010 09:32

Using a Solar Clothes Dryer (also known as a "clothesline.") We cut our summer electric use by 20%. We still use the dryer in the winter.
Linda Irvine | May 21. 2010 09:33

I live in a home built in 1952. We have a daylight basement and the gas furnace sits in the garage. The rectangulatr heating ducts are not insulated and it is cold in the back bedrooms...furthest runs..
I want to insulate them...what are my options? Where do I buy it for the best quality/cost? Thanks...DanO


dan ostlund | May 21. 2010 09:33

The best thing that I've done to my house to improve efficiency was to insulate all the cracks and crevices around the entire perimeter. I put the inslated pad in every exterior wall and switch box. I stuffed insulation loosely in the floor joists and put Great Stuff around the entire sill on the outside. I don't know how the numbers turned out but I know that I couldn't feel any drafts in the house in the winter.
Kurt | May 21. 2010 09:34

i would agree, 20% or more could be saved. on the other hand, have you tried to look into the solar heating system? much cheaper in the long term....


man and van | May 21. 2010 09:38

We put new windows in our home that was built in 1972. Our bedroom is warm this winter - the first time since we bought the house in 1983.
Cathy VV | May 21. 2010 09:38

ATTITUDE.
I started looking at all utility expenses as opportunities to get return on my money.
Banks and Wall Street pay lower returns so why not invest in something that can return 100% on the dollar annually.
Some cases more.


Tom

Tom Hyland | May 21. 2010 09:38

I plan on using the cloths line more throuhout the summer months. also im in the process of changing out all the lights in my house with more energy effiecent ones, the coast up front is a bit much but ill save in the long run..
Mike | May 21. 2010 09:39

Buildings, especially residential, even nowadays, are designed with external walls having uniform R-values.
If "heating surface elements", like panels, are employed around the periphery (external/party) walls/skin, then locally, we usually observe, using an infrared camera, increased heat losses.
A low-tech solution to help solve the problem, is to place a very cheap reflective nylon or mylar film, even the kind that florists use to wrap flowers, in the void space between the heating element and the external/party wall. Then, locally, all infrared radiant (heat) energy would be reflected back towards the interior of the building. This cheap and easy to implement solution, can easily spare 450 Us Gallons of heating oil per (heating) season, for a 2000Sq.Ft two level building at a latitude and climate similar that of San Francisco. If the building site belongs to a colder zone, then increased savings are to be expected, since the initial local outbound heat flow is much bigger (and so are heat losses), so the final savings would be bigger, that is when the reflective film is employed.
Dimitrios A.Trakadas, Architect NTUA, (M.Sc.) | May 21. 2010 09:39

I want to replace my older doors and windows but money is a factor, are there any programs or grants out there that could help with this?
Scott A. | May 21. 2010 09:41

There are many things that we have done around our home this winter to make our home a more comfortable and energy efficient place to live.First we winterized all of our windows and doors, and closed off our uninsulated front porch to reduce on heat loss. We installed a high efficiency furnace, an energy star rated chest freezer and have replaced all of our old light bulbs with more efficient ones.
Jason Hall | May 21. 2010 09:41

I plan on checking to see if all my appliances are energy star. This can save on energy use and on emisions.


Nate R. | May 21. 2010 09:42

We added 8" cellulose insulation (filled and just covered the rafters in our attic), on top of a few inches of existing unevenly distributed loose fill. I've noticed a 15% to 20% reduction in my gas use (normalized to HDD). The project, which I did myself with some hired help, cost about $1200.
Mark L. | May 21. 2010 09:42

I installed radiant barrier in the attic of my 1978 home in central Florida. I have a decrease of about 25% on my electricity consumption.
Mike B. | May 21. 2010 09:42

I put plastic on the windows and sliding glass doors on my home in minnesota. Simple to do. Total cost was 3 hours and 40$. All the drafts are gone, and the furnace only runs 2x an hour (vs 5!!!) when it is ~0 degF. Looks like the bills are about 80$ cheaper vs last year based on heating degree days. didnt figure in the cost of gas differential. Even if the $ didnt work, the comfort is worth it!


Brian M | May 21. 2010 09:43

I sealed off the penetrations in the attic where airflow from within the house had turned the insulation black. This included a plumbing wall that was completely open to the attic. The project greatly reduced drafts in the house. As a side benefit, the carpet in the second-story hallway no longer turns black next to the walls because air is rushing through.
Barry | May 21. 2010 09:43

Well we have started to use the energy efficient light bulbs, as well as energy efficient windows and appliances. Also we have use a programmable thermostat to turn on the heat at certain times.
James Pryne | May 21. 2010 09:44

I live in a house and are heated before electricity and gas - now - the eco briquettes. This is changing with the greatest efficiency.
Tihomir Ipotpaliev - web designer | May 26. 2010 21:22