Energy Efficiency
Improving the energy efficiency of your home or business is the first step to lowering your electricity bills and producing your own energy.
Learning what to do to become more efficient can be the first hurdle. Luckily there are many online resources to get you started. However, if you want to ensure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck, have an expert come to your home and conduct an energy audit. Some utilities perform this service, or there are a number of private businesses that specialize in residential and agricultural audits.
RESIDENTIAL EFFICIENCY TIPS
• EnergySavers.gov: Uncle Sam wants you… to save energy! The U.S. Department of Energy offers lots of tips on saving energy and money
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s online Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor is a great place to start for efficiency upgrades. However, nothing compares to making an appointment with a professional energy auditor
• The Department of Energy’s SmartGrid.gov is the gateway to information on federal initiatives that support the development of the technologies, policies and projects transforming the electric power industry
AGRICULTURE EFFICIENCY TIPS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
• Want to know specifically about on-farm energy audits and how to get one done at a 90 percent reduction of the usual cost!
• The Institute for Energy and the Environment has published two informative resources:
1) A Farmer’s Guide to Energy Self Reliance: How to decrease energy consumption and increase profits
2) The Farmer’s Handbook for Energy Self-Reliance: A Guide to Using Energy Efficiency, Biomass, and Renewable Energy on the Farm
