Environmental Earth Science

Energy Conservation at Home

 

  1. Read through the information copied below from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/index.htm) or from another source from your class work or found through a general search site.
  2. Choose the three best ways you could save energy at home. Decide what the best ways are based on: (1) Are these things you could actually accomplish with your family in the next year or so? (2) Will these methods save the most energy for the least cost? (3) Will these reduce other forms of pollution besides reducing greenhouse gasses?
  3. In your notebook, write a paragraph for each method you choose explaining why you chose it over all the other ways to save energy.

 

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings: Condensed Online Version

 

 

When you buy an appliance, you commit to paying both the first cost and the operating cost for as long as you own it. And over the life of an appliance, the energy cost to run it can be many times greater than the first cost. So it pays to buy an energy-efficient appliance.

Some of the topics listed below include a list of the most efficient appliances on the market according to our research as of 2004. Unfortunately we do not provide lists of water heaters, heating equipment, or cooking appliances. Our lists are based on information from appliance industry associations' product directories (where accessible), the ENERGY STARŪ program, and individual manufacturers. We only include models that are mass-produced and widely distributed in the United States and products for which there are standardized efficiency ratings. The lists are intended to help inform consumers; they do not represent product endorsements. If you are looking to install major heating and cooling equipment, the first step toward quality equipment and installation is to find the right contractor.

Home Energy Checklist for Action
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Choose a Contractor

 

Click for Tips and Information on Each Topic

 

Buttoning Up Your House

New Windows

Heating Systems

Cooling Systems

Water Heating

Food Storage

Cooking

Dishwashing

Laundry

Lighting

Other Energy Uses*

Using EnergyGuide Labels*