When purchasing a home you should consider energy efficiency. Homes designed to meet established thermal and equipment standards will provide increased personal comfort while reducing your heating and cooling bills. Energy efficiency also boosts the home’s resale value and safeguards the environment.

Before you buy or build, consider the following tips:

• Insulation – wall insulation ratings should be R-15 or higher; ceiling insulation ratings should be a minimum of R-38.
• Heat pump – look for units with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 13 to 15 and a Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) of  8 or greater.
• Air Stop Package – sealing of all electric outlets, exterior plumbing connections, telephone jacks and attic doors will reduce air infiltration and thereby improve heating and cooling efficiency.
• Ducts – all seams and joints should be properly sealed to prevent leakage of conditioned air.

To achieve significant daily savings, implement these energy saving measures in your home:

• Check your home's thermostat for accuracy with a reliable thermometer. For the best balance between comfort and energy efficiency, NOVEC recommends maintaining a temperature of 78 for air conditioning and 68 for heating. Use NOVEC's heating calculator to determine the optimal settings for your programmable thermostat.
• Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Turn off your water heater when you are away from home for more than a few days.
• Insulate hot water pipes, especially if they are located in unheated spaces.
• Install water-saving showerheads and other water conservation devices.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs wherever practical. They will provide equivalent lighting while using 75 percent less energy and will typically last 15 percent longer than incandescent light bulbs.
• Set your refrigerator thermostat at 38-40 and the freezer compartment at 0-5. Be sure to clean the coils with a vacuum cleaner or brush at least twice a year.
• When doing laundry, do not overload the washing machine or dryer. It uses more energy and the operation of the appliance is hindered. Remember to clean the lint filters after each use. Check to ensure the exhaust vent of the dryer is not clogged; otherwise it will impede drying and reduce efficiency.
• Check the air filters on your heating and cooling system monthly. Clean (if reusable) or replace as necessary.

Seasonal Energy Saving Measures

The heat of summer often presents a challenge in saving energy and reducing utility costs. Review these Summer Energy Tips and save money, even when using air conditioning. Likewise, during winter months, cold winter weather can increase energy usage. Find out how to save money and stay warm with these helpful Winter Energy Tips.