If you google “How to save energy” - most of the results you get are either  common sense  - or only half true. I just read one that said to make sure that you "air dry" dishes instead of heating them. Really? Reading between the lines, you are basically saying that you think your clients are stupid? It's time we start giving credit to people asking this question.

Here at energy-models.com, we study “How to save energy” for a living, and we know that it’s not always cut and dry, and we're pretty sure that most of you are smart enough to understand more than "Change your lightbulbs"

For instance, did you know that for most of  U.S.A. - adding insulation can actually INCREASE your energy usage? (It’s all about getting the “sweet spot” read more here)

Or how about this? - in a college dorm room - with electric heat, it doesn’t save any energy to switch to fluorescent bulbs? (Wouldn’t this have settled a lot of fights over who left the lights on?)

So, how do you save energy? Well, the real way to save energy is to first get a handle on how energy Interacts and costs you money.

These are the 8 key factors on how to save energy:

1. Your climate (how much does your air conditioner run vs. your heater?)
2. Gas vs. Electric (if you have electric heat - this changes everything!)
3. Windows and Blinds (Light, leakage, and heat gain)
4. Lights (produce heat and light)
5. Electric equipment (Spins the meter and produces heat)
6. Hot water usage (This can be half your bill)
7. The Sun
8. All energy interacts and eventually becomes heat. An energy model is a computer based simulation that captures these interactions (and basic energy models are quite easy)

So, first things first - Do you live in a hot climate? - Save energy by reading “Beat the heat”

In addition to that, let’s look at 5 ways to really slash your bills

1) Use gas hot water.

Electric hot water usually costs twice as much as gas hot water. In a house, it often accounts for one half of your utility bill. Don’t fall for the line that electric heat is 100% efficient and gas heat is not. Remember, most of the time, gas is burned to make electricity and that process is only 30% efficient - so it costs a lot less to simply burn the gas and make heat.

Actually, in general, gas heat beats electric heat. Don’t listen to the slimy salespitch that “Electricity is 100% efficient”. (it is much less efficient when considering SOURCE energy, which is what drives costs)

2) Fluorescent light bulbs

Yes, this should be common sense by now. But guess what? If you live in a cold climate with electric heat, fluorescent bulbs don’t save much money -maybe none. Also, if there is a chance that they will be broken, they do contain mercury vapor (though the most likely injury you will sustain from any light bulb is a cut)

Strategies:

Hot climate - Use fluorescent bulbs or even LED’s. They save electricity on your lighting bill and also lower your air conditioning bill because they give off less heat.

Cool climates - If you have a hot summer, they are probably worth it. But, if you have heating only, they are only worth it if you have gas heat, or heatpumps. Though, they do last 5 times longer (in most cases).

3) Understand the Sun

All energy ultimately comes from or came from the sun, but the key factor is this - the sun gives off light and heat. And there are two types of light - Direct and diffuse. (staring at the sun is an example of direct light, staring at the ground is an example of diffuse light!).

Strategy 1: Use blinds/curtains!

If it is cold outside, let the direct sun shine in and provide light and heat. If the room is really brightly lit, try to let the sun hit dark fabrics where it is more easily converted into heat.

If it is hot outside, close your blinds in the direct sun, and open them in areas to let diffuse light in. This provide FREE light without all the added heat.  Use diffuse light to keep your place lit whenever possible. Remember, turning lights on when it is hot will also increase your A/C bill!

Bonus Tip - Remember that "Solar Power" does not always mean electricity (the correct word is photovoltaics, which are expensive but getting more cost effective). Solar thermal, is often used for hot water and is inexpensive and shows a big payback (since its easiest to turn solar energy into heat!)

4) Insulation

This is probably the most mis-used form of saving energy. Insulation is NOT as simple as “MORE is better”, unless you live in North Pole, Alaska. In fact, an energy model should probably be used to find the sweet spot for insulation in many climates (from Denver to Dallas). If you are in climate zones 2--5, insulation can potentially hurt you (what climate zone are you in? - click here to find out)

Strategies: Seasonal insulation in houses, energy-models for commercial buildings

In a house:

It is a good idea to add a plastic sealant to your windows in extreme months - hot or cold. This boosts insulation and also prevents leakage of hot or cold air.

In Commercial buildings:

Perform a basic energy model and test several levels of insulation to find out what’s best. Use an economizer in climate zones 2-7. Determine how much heat you produce via lights, electronics and people. If you produce a lot of heat  - too much insulation traps the heat inside the building during mild weather, and you end up running your air conditioner when it’s cool outside!

5) Be a Control Freak

This is the easiest and probably least mentioned way to save energy. Most homes and nearly all commercial building have programmable thermostats. When you aren’t there, let the temperature drift or “setback”

IMPORTANT: When running air conditioning - if you are gone for 2 hours or less, you may actually use more energy turning the A/C off for an hour and then “cranking it” when you get back. (You burn more gas driving 100 miles in 30 minutes, verse driving 100 miles in 2 hours and letting the engine run at an efficient speed)

In heating however, this theory is different, and in general, it is wise to set the heat back when you leave, if only for an hour. 

Honorable mention:

•Use power strips and turn them off when devices are not in use

•Plant trees/shrubs in the right places

•Keep your outdoor A/C unit shaded

•Don’t be an idiot with your car (this could be a 60 page essay)

Want to do your own energy analysis?

It is easier than you think. You can learn to perform basic energy models in one day:

Take the Crash course and learn to use eQUEST (free software) and evaluate items yourself!

Learn more about energy modeling with our Intro to energy modeling course