Cutting down on energy use in your home

Adding insulation (R-value) to your attic is a great way to save on those a/c bills, but just remember that insulation is nothing more than a 'buffer' between hot and cold areas in and around our homes. Before investing your time and money on fiberglass, be sure to include an inspection of your attic's ventilation. A properly ventilated attic will run between 15 and 20 degrees (F) above outside air temp. even in the extreme parts of the country. (Roofing material, foliage and cloud cover will cause these temps to vary a bit). The less you ask from your insulation, the less it will ask from your a/c!

use rechargeable batteries for all your home controllers, cameras, and the kids toys.

Rory Short

Your municipal water supply almost certainly uses electirc pumps to get the water to your home. Similarly electric pumps will be used to remove waste water and sewage from your home. Electric pumps consume electricity and most electricity is generated in fossil fuel burning power stations. Consequently to minise energy use and thus global warming use waste water on your garden rather than pouring it down the drain, unless it contains non-biodegradable chemicals of course in which case it must go to the drain. Minimise toilet flushing by collecting urine in a bucket dilute it at 4 or more parts to one with the waste water and use it as an organic fertiliser for your garden that is unless your urine contains disease organisms then it should be flushed away but only do it once a day.

Hang dry your clothes instead of using the clothes dryer...

Unplug power strips and other phantom electricity poachers...XBox, VCR, TEVO, coffee pot...did you knwo an XBox uses the same kW as your fridge!? Seriously!!

Close your blinds during the heat of the day, then open them (and the windows up) as dusk approaches...

Turn OFF your computer (AND MONITOR) when you are not using it...don't just 'hibernate'...see phantom load comment...