Many homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of how their energy usage affects their environment. Choosing to use home made energy is one way to keep our world clean and reduce the costs of electricity. Before installing a home made energy system, it is important to do an energy audit of your home. Inspecting areas of your home and making the necessary corrections will help make your home made energy system run more efficiently.
Air leaks are responsible for an increase in energy consumption. Failing to repair all air leaks inside your home, will eliminate any savings from your home made energy system. Check around electrical outlets, door frames, window sills, fireplace dampers, baseboards and attic hatches for signs of air leaks. Examine the areas around pipes and wall mounted air conditioners for air leaks, as well.
Air leaks allow humid air inside your home, predisposing it to mold and mildew growth which can cause serious health effects and damage to the structure of your home. Approximately 10 percent of our energy usage is from lighting our homes. Homeowners who choose to use a solar home made energy system will save money if they also place compact fluorescent lamps where lights remain on for long periods of time.
Checking your basement for the proper insulation will also help make your home made energy system more efficient. Air leaking into your home from the basement causes an increase in humidity which can cause your home made energy system to work harder to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Whether you choose a stand alone home made energy system or connect to a power grid, making the necessary adjustments to reduce heat loss through air leaks and installing the proper insulation can only make your home made energy system more efficient, which will save you money in the coming years.
Air leaks are responsible for an increase in energy consumption. Failing to repair all air leaks inside your home, will eliminate any savings from your home made energy system. Check around electrical outlets, door frames, window sills, fireplace dampers, baseboards and attic hatches for signs of air leaks. Examine the areas around pipes and wall mounted air conditioners for air leaks, as well.
Air leaks allow humid air inside your home, predisposing it to mold and mildew growth which can cause serious health effects and damage to the structure of your home. Approximately 10 percent of our energy usage is from lighting our homes. Homeowners who choose to use a solar home made energy system will save money if they also place compact fluorescent lamps where lights remain on for long periods of time.
Checking your basement for the proper insulation will also help make your home made energy system more efficient. Air leaking into your home from the basement causes an increase in humidity which can cause your home made energy system to work harder to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Whether you choose a stand alone home made energy system or connect to a power grid, making the necessary adjustments to reduce heat loss through air leaks and installing the proper insulation can only make your home made energy system more efficient, which will save you money in the coming years.
About the Author:
Adam Smith has been energy writer for the past 10 years. He's also an accredited researcher on the subject for leading research institutes in the US.Bill Ford's home made energy ,however, is probably the only DIY project that I did right from the start up to the finish line.homemade energy saves you as much as $1000 per year on your electricity bill.