A/C Unit
When buying new heating and cooling equipment such as a central air conditioning unit, proper sizing and quality installation are critical to your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. Remember: Bigger doesn’t always mean better. Oversized equipment can cause reduced comfort and excessive noise. Oversizing also can shorten the life of the equipment by causing it to cycle on and off more frequently than a properly sized unit. However, undersized equipment can reduce the efficiency and accelerate wear on system components, leading to early failure. Learn more about Quality Installation of heating and air conditioning equipment.
Porch Light
The outdoor porch or post lamp is one of the highest used light fixtures in a home, and is the perfect place to install ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products. Many compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will fit easily into existing porch lights. Or install a new ENERGY STAR qualified outdoor fixture that saves energy through advanced CFL technology, a motion sensor and/or a photocell that turns the light on only when someone is present or on at night and off in the morning.
Bed-Side Lamp
Lighting is one of the easiest places to start saving energy. Replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified lights can save $70 a year in energy costs. ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures feature stylish designs and are available in a variety of models of lamps and fixtures. ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) provide high-quality light output, use less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, saving money on energy bills and replacement costs.
Light Switch
Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room.
Room Air Conditioner
Considering purchasing a room air conditioner? ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners often include timers for better temperature control, allowing you to use the minimum amount of energy you need to cool your room.
TV/DVD Combo
Look for the ENERGY STAR on consumer electronics products. Qualified products use less energy without sacrificing quality or performance.
Consumer electronics play an increasingly larger role in your home’s energy consumption, accounting for 15% of household electricity use. Many consumer electronics products use energy even when switched off. Electronics equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR help save energy when off, while maintaining features like clock displays, channel settings, and remote-control functions.
Outlet
Unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when not in use.
Bathroom Vanity Lights
Replace your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR and save $70 each year in energy costs.
The bathroom vanity is one of the highest-use fixtures in the average home. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs provide bright, warm light, use less energy, and generate less heat than standard lighting. Keep in mind that high humidity can shorten the life of CFLs. To avoid moisture problems, control humidity in your bathroom by running your ventilating fan during and 15 minutes after showers and baths. You can find ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures in hundreds of popular styles, including vanity lighting, at home improvement and hardware stores, lighting showrooms, and other retail stores including online outlets.
Light Switch
Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room.
Vent Fan
Install a properly sized ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fan to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe, as well as control mold and mildew growth. Run your fan for 15 minutes after showering.
ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans 60% less energy on average than standard models, saving more than $60 in electricity over the life of the fan. They are quieter and use high-performance motors and improved blade design, providing better performance and longer product life. Qualified models can be found at many home improvement stores or from you HVAC or electrical contractor. Also be sure the fan duct leads to the outdoors to prevent moisture problems.
Desk Lamp
Use ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and light bulbs. Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room.
Home office lights are often used for many hours a day. ENERGY STAR qualified desk lamps or compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) provide high-quality light output, use 75% less energy, and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, saving money on energy bills and replacement costs.
Electrical Outlets
Seal holes around outlets with an inexpensive outlet gasket.
Power Strip
Use a power strip as a central “turn off” point when you are done using equipment.
Even when turned off, electronic and IT equipment often use a small amount of electricity. U.S. households spend approximately $100 per year to power devices while they are in a low power mode, roughly 8 percent of household electricity costs. Using a power strip for your computer and all peripheral equipment allows you to completely disconnect the power supply from the power source, eliminating standby power consumption.
Power Adapter
Unplug battery chargers or power adapters when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger.
Multi-Function Device
Save energy and space with an ENERGY STAR qualified multi-function device that combines several capabilities (print, fax, copy, scan). Make sure power management features are enabled for additional savings.
Computer/Monitor
Enable power management features on your home computer and monitor. And look for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing products for your home office. They use less energy without sacrificing quality or performance.
Most home office equipment is left on 24 hours a day. Remember: Office equipment that is set automatically to switch to sleep mode not only uses less energy, it runs cooler and helps the equipment last longer, allowing for savings on air conditioning, as well.
Courtesy of Energy Star
