Free House Repair Tutorials - Lower Electric Bills / Save Energy

There are many features about a home that make a difference in the amount of energy needed for heating, cooling and lighting. Thus, these features can have a major impact on the amount of money you devote to maintaining the winter and summer comfort of occupants. This checklist will help you evaluate the energy-saving potential of various housing features.

Housing features to consider include: Site; House Design; Construction and Insulation; Heating and Cooling System; Color and Lighting.

Color and Lighting

Outside walls and roof are a light color if summer heat is a greater problem than winter cold, such as in uninsulated summer cabins (light colors reflect the sun's heat while dark colors absorb it).

Interior wall and ceiling colors are light tints or white (so both daylight and artificial light are reflected more than absorbed).

Floor covering is medium to light in color (so light reflectance will save on amount of artificial light needed).

Overhead lights in living areas and bedrooms provide good over-all light for less total wattage than several lamps; lamps can then be used for task lighting of areas as needed (simple fluorescent enclosed fixtures, flush with the ceiling, will provide excellent light with little energy use; incandescent fixtures may be preferred by some).

All light fixtures are located so they can be easily cleaned (dust on bulbs, tubes and fixtures reduces illumination).

For more information on energy conservation in your home, contact your local Extension Home Economist and ask for copies of a series of"Energy Fact Sheets" and other energy related materials made available by the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service. This information comes from Michigan State University Extension bulletin E1384, A Checklist for Energy-Saving Homes.

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