Category Archives: Efficiency
Homeowner Tips for Better Fuel Efficiency
Having a utility bill in the triple digits may be common for your household, but with a few simple changes in your daily habits you can save hundreds of dollars as well as reduce your imprint on the environment. When … Continue reading
Insulate Your Way to Lower Heating and Cooling Bills
One of the very best ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home and lower your heating and cooling bills is through effective insulation. Adequate and properly installed installation will help keep cool air out in the winter and … Continue reading
Energy-Efficient Appliances: Where to Find Real Savings
In the average U.S. home, the electricity used to power household appliances and electronics can amount to as much as 20 percent of your annual utility costs. The energy costs associated with a single device may not seem significant, but … Continue reading
Super-Easy Tips for Slashing Energy Costs
Even in flush times, reducing energy consumption – and therefore energy costs – is the right thing to do for the environment. And when money is tight, the incentive for finding ways to whittle away at utility bills is even … Continue reading
Energy-Efficiency Certification: A Green Seal of Approval for Your Home
Provided your home meets a minimum threshold for energy efficiency, you may be eligible for certification under a range of national and regional energy-efficiency certification programs. Even if you don’t already meet required thresholds, a few inexpensive improvements may be … Continue reading
“Green” Mortgages Help Homebuyers Finance Environmentally Conscious Choices
By purchasing a home built to meet greater energy-efficiency standards or committing to make energy improvements to an existing home, you could qualify for an energy-efficient mortgage (EEM) – also known as a “green” mortgage – which can increase your … Continue reading
Home Energy Ratings: What Are They and How Can They Help You?
A home energy rating is the standard measurement of a home’s energy efficiency, which can be very useful when it comes to selling or buying a home. If you’re looking to buy a home, energy ratings let you easily compare … Continue reading
Eight Ways to Cool Your Home, Naturally
With energy costs climbing annually, keeping your house cool in summer can be a wallet-emptying exercise. Finding natural ways to keep cool can save you hundreds of dollars in a single season. Plant deciduous trees on the south and west … Continue reading
When Mother Nature Can’t Help, Eco-Friendly Appliances Can
If there’s a rule of thumb you can apply to maximizing comfort while minimizing your heating or cooling bills, it’s that being eco-friendly is a long-term investment that will pay off for both you and the value of your home. … Continue reading
Green Mortgages: Saving Money and the Environment
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average homeowner spends close to $1,300 a year on utility bills in the United States. By making energy-efficient home improvements, you can cut this cost in half (depending on the nature of the … Continue reading