November 2009 -- Home Engery Publications
Four home energy publications from the Iowa Energy Center are available from Extension’s Online Store. The Home Series, EDC 389, covers home tightening, insulation and ventilation; home heating and cooling; water heating; and major home appliances.
September 2009: Enough Insulation?
Both older and newer homes benefit from proper insulation. You can reduce your heating costs by making sure there’s enough insulation in your home. Learn more.
August 2009: Fan + Air Conditioner
Use an interior fan along with your window air conditioner. Together they’ll spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use. Get more air conditioning tips.
June 2009: Save Energy When Driving
If you have to drive, combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Get more driving and car maintenance tips.
May 2009: Solar-powered Outdoor Lighting
Let there be light — with solar powered outdoor lighting. Installation is quick and easy, with no wires or electricity costs. Learn more about renewable energy options.
April 2009: Plug Electronics into Power Strips
Plug TVs, DVD players and other home electronics into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use. (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power.) Get more energy-saving ideas at www.energysavers.gov.
March 2009: Cut Energy Costs While Doing Laundry
When washing clothes, wash full loads and use cooler water and cold-water detergents. Switching the temperature setting from hot to warm cuts a load’s energy use in half. Learn more.
February 2009: Lower Your Lighting Costs
Turn off the lights in any room you’re not using, and use task lighting to focus the light where you need it. Also try compact fluorescent lamps; they are more efficient and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Learn more.
January 2009: ENERGY STAR in the Home Office
Look for ENERGY STAR computers, copiers, printers and fax machines when purchasing new equipment for your home office. ENERGY STAR products use about half the electricity of standard equipment. Learn more.
December 2008: Lowering Costs for Water Heating
Water heating can be expensive, but you can lower your costs. Repair leaky faucets, use low-flow showerheads and lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees. Learn more.
November 2008: Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust your home’s temperature according to your schedule -- it can cut back heating at night, for instance, and turn it up again before you rise in the morning. Learn more.
October 2008: Insulation
Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawl spaces to see if it meets the recommended R-values for your area. Learn more
September 2008: Home Energy Audits
An energy audit shows where your home uses the most energy and helps you decide how to reduce energy costs. Do it yourself or contact your local utility. Learn more
August 2008: Energy Efficient Windows
If your home has single-pane windows, consider replacing them with new energy efficient double-pane windows with high-performance glass (e.g., low-e). Learn more
July 2008: Air Conditioning
If you use air conditioning, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. Learn more
June 2008: Driving Tips
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking) wastes gas. It can lower your highway gas mileage 33 percent and city mileage 5 percent. Learn more
These tips are brought to you by ISU Extension, the U.S. Department of Energy and other partners.