Here are 5 things you can do to successfully reduce your home energy consumption and save money in the process courtesy of Washington Energy Services in Seattle, Washington: 

1.Seal the leaks around windows and exterior doors. This is easy to do, and will help your home keep the heat in. Caulk, spray foam or use weather stripping and it will have an impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills. Don’t want to fuss with this – contact a handyman, or a reputable window, insulation or painting company. Many of them provide this service. 

2.Fix your insulation situation. Insulation is typically the #1 way to save energy in your home. According to the Department of Energy (www.ornl.gov) “heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes.” And according to EnergyStar, you could “save up to 10% of your total annual energy bill” just by sealing and insulating. 

3.Clean and seal heating ducts. Almost 20% of the air that moves through your duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. Over time, ducts can sag or collapse. Vermin and other animals can chew holes in crawl space ductwork. Ducts can also come apart at the seams. When this happens, any air that should be going to the rooms in your home is instead being wasted by ending up in your attic, your walls, or under your house. If duct tape was used on your ductwork originally, it's best to have it replaced with aluminum or foil tape. Traditional duct tape deteriorates quickly. Metal seams should be cleaned and then sealed with duct mastic, which doesn't crack. It creates a permanent seal. 

4.Let your equipment breathe. Your heating and cooling systems depend on a flow of air to maximize their efficiency. Homeowners can take easy steps to help – change the furnace filter, and check for leaves/debris around an outside heat pump or air conditioner. A clogged air intake outside or dirty indoor furnace filter limits air flow to the equipment and causes it to function inefficiently. It can eventually lead to costly breakdowns and repairs. This is similar to changing the air filter in your car. Electronic filters typically need cleaning at least twice per year and paper filters need replacing. Check your product warranty for your manufacturer’s specific instructions. 

5.Open those registers. Many people close floor registers to push heat into certain parts of their house. Since about the late 60's the products installed in homes have been forced air furnaces. These are designed for a specific amount of air to flow thru the furnace while operating. The ductwork is designed for this amount of air also. When air registers are closed it reduces the airflow and allows heat to buildup in the system. That heat has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is up the flue and out of your house. Closing 1 or 2 registers is fine in rooms that get too hot. Keep as many registers open as possible so your furnace can operate at maximum efficiency. This is the same for heat pumps and central air conditioning. Airflow is key to efficient heating and saving money. 

Not sure where to start to make your home energy efficient? Consider a home energy audit. A certified audit uses the latest technology to analyze your house, measuring heat loss, combustion and air leakage. An audit will show you how your home uses and wastes energy. This will help you prioritize what you can do to get the most energy savings. Learn more about audits at washingtonenergy.com. 

Sources: 

Department of Energy - http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html 

Energy Star - http://www.energystar.gov/ 

Washington Energy Services - www.washingtonenergy.com

This is the age of making a strong decision in favour of human being and environment , Now we have to be serious about a new and powerful energy source .With climate change global warming at the forefront of the agenda, there has been much discussion and research into finding an alternative to traditional sources of energy. Finally we find out one of the best option Sun Energy (Solar PV). Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. 

Solar PV offers a number of advantages over other sources of renewable energy. Its impacts include: the effect of emissions on human health and welfare, agricultural productivity, and infrastructure; the security costs of ensuring a reliable oil supply and a safe nuclear resource; and the potential costs of adjusting to global climate change. Following are the basic reasons why investing in solar PV for your home and Industries benefits both you for financial and the environment. 

1. No harmful emissions or greenhouse gases. Solar power is a clean, renewable and sustainable source of energy. 

2. solar PVtechnology is low maintenance, durable and completely noiseless. Unlike wind turbines there are no moving parts to break and no noise pollution. Once installed, PV panels require very little maintenance, and are incredibly durable. 

3. The sun is an unlimited, free source of energy that is available worldwide. PV panels only require daylight, not direct sunlight to produce electricity. This means that they are not just effective in the summer months, but all year round, even on the cloudy days. 

4. Free electricity during the day. When your PV system is generating electricity during the day, you will not have to buy electricity from your supplier. Therefore running appliances during the day will help you save hundreds of pounds off your electricity bill. 

5. solar PV technology is versatile. Depending on your preference, you can choose between having PV panels installed onto your existing roof, or integrating the technology into the building materials themselves with solar tiles or slates. 

6. Solar PV is a good investment. With the introduction of the Feed-In Tariff, homeowners are now paid for every unit of electricity they generate from their PV panels, even if they use it themselves. solar PV not only offers the highest payments, but also the longest payment period. 

7. Protect yourself from rising energy prices. The cost of traditional energy sources is rising and is likely to continue to do so. By installing a solar PV system on your home you will have your own source of free electricity and therefore depend less on electricity suppliers to power your home. 

8. A solar PV system could increase the value of your home. As it is a source of free electricity and income thanks to the Feed-In Tariffs, a solar PV system is likely to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. 

9. Easy, hassle-free installation. Once a site survey has been completed for your home to ensure it is suitable, the installation process is very simple. 

10.No maintenance, with a long functional lifetime of 30+ years. PV solar installed in the 1960's is still working. 

11.Silent in operation. 

12.No planning permission needed. 

13.Works all year round.