1. What is the difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation?
Energy conservation and energy efficiency both mean using less energy, but energy conservation refers to any behavior that results in not using energy at all, such as turning off the lights when leaving a room.
Energy efficiency is a technological approach to using less energy—requiring less energy to perform the same function. In this case, less energy is used and it lasts longer. An example is a compact fluorescent light bulb that will use less energy to illuminate a room.
2. In your opinion, based on the results of this audit, how energy efficient is your home? Explain.
Find the recommended home improvements to make your home more energy efficient based on the climate where you live by answering a few questions about your home using the Home Energy Advisor. While a tailored audit for your home will provide specific recommendations to improve your home, there are key areas of the home that are common trouble spots and frequently contribute to a home's poor energy performance.
3. What area of your household do you think needs the most work to become more efficient?
Achieving efficiency at work can sometimes be as simple as clearing the clutter from your work area. A disorderly work area is a work area that can hinder your productivity. Only keep items that you use daily out and about - everything else should be squirreled away where it's out of the way but also quickly retrievable.
4. What are three things your household could do to conserve more energy?
Change five lights, Look for ENERGY STAR, Heat and cool smartly
5. Are you willing to make these changes? Why or why not?
yes, because if you're constantly struggling to find specific tools or documents in a mountain of clutter, serious work time is being wasted.
6. For what purposes is hot water really needed in the home? In your opinion, what are some reasons many people use more hot water than they really need?
Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.
7. What energy efficiency or design features do you think should be considered when constructing new homes?
When you purchase the appliances and the fixtures for your bathrooms and kitchen, consider each one's Energy-Star rating. Buying items with high Energy-Star ratings can save you a substantial amount of money each year. You can find Energy-Star ratings on most fixtures.
8. Did you come across any other factors that might affect home energy use, but were not included in this audit? What were they?
Annual maintenance is a must for a well performing heating and cooling system. Clean your filter regularly and schedule annual maintenance by a qualified contractor. Learn how to properly install and use a programmable thermostat to save energy.In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. Sealing those leaks in the ducts is a must to get better performance from your heating and cooling system.
Energy conservation and energy efficiency both mean using less energy, but energy conservation refers to any behavior that results in not using energy at all, such as turning off the lights when leaving a room.
Energy efficiency is a technological approach to using less energy—requiring less energy to perform the same function. In this case, less energy is used and it lasts longer. An example is a compact fluorescent light bulb that will use less energy to illuminate a room.
2. In your opinion, based on the results of this audit, how energy efficient is your home? Explain.
Find the recommended home improvements to make your home more energy efficient based on the climate where you live by answering a few questions about your home using the Home Energy Advisor. While a tailored audit for your home will provide specific recommendations to improve your home, there are key areas of the home that are common trouble spots and frequently contribute to a home's poor energy performance.
3. What area of your household do you think needs the most work to become more efficient?
Achieving efficiency at work can sometimes be as simple as clearing the clutter from your work area. A disorderly work area is a work area that can hinder your productivity. Only keep items that you use daily out and about - everything else should be squirreled away where it's out of the way but also quickly retrievable.
4. What are three things your household could do to conserve more energy?
Change five lights, Look for ENERGY STAR, Heat and cool smartly
5. Are you willing to make these changes? Why or why not?
yes, because if you're constantly struggling to find specific tools or documents in a mountain of clutter, serious work time is being wasted.
6. For what purposes is hot water really needed in the home? In your opinion, what are some reasons many people use more hot water than they really need?
Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.
7. What energy efficiency or design features do you think should be considered when constructing new homes?
When you purchase the appliances and the fixtures for your bathrooms and kitchen, consider each one's Energy-Star rating. Buying items with high Energy-Star ratings can save you a substantial amount of money each year. You can find Energy-Star ratings on most fixtures.
8. Did you come across any other factors that might affect home energy use, but were not included in this audit? What were they?
Annual maintenance is a must for a well performing heating and cooling system. Clean your filter regularly and schedule annual maintenance by a qualified contractor. Learn how to properly install and use a programmable thermostat to save energy.In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. Sealing those leaks in the ducts is a must to get better performance from your heating and cooling system.