Energy Write is a Resource for Residential Do-It-Your-Self Energy Reduction.

The World used 15 trillion watts of energy in 2009 *3. Reduce your energy bill by 10% to 20% just by changing to CFL's and adjusting your thermostat. Here, we talk about optimizing that along with other techniques targeting 50% or more energy use reduction. Help turn back the energy clock.

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Energy Saver: Programmable Thermostat

First let's get the obvious advice, that any energy-engineer-want-to-be can tell you, out of the way: lower your thermostat setting during heating season and raise it in the cooling season and you'll save energy. Phew, that was difficult.

Now let's discuss how to optimize this to maintain comfort and optimize this great opportunity. The overall idea here is to maximize energy reduction without reducing comfort or damaging your house. Depending on how and to what extent you go about implementing this energy reduction advice, you can expect 5 to 40% annualized reduction in ...

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Energy Saver: Air Filters

Filters reduce energy by protecting your equipment and systems. Filters also clean the air that you eventually breathe. Proper filter selection can optimize its function.

This is primarily written for filters used in furnace applications but the general idea applies to air cleaners and similar air handling devices. Filters installed at return air grills are fine as they protect the return air duct from dirt. However, the common place for the filter is either in the return duct at the furnace or in a filter rack integral to the furnace. I have run across a few system installations where the installer 'forgot' to install any provision for mounting a filter. Maybe he thought that he was trying to save energy, installation cost or didn't understand the vital importance of the filter. Taking the filter out will reduce fan energy; for a short while. However, within a few hours of operation ...