Energy-Efficient Homes

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McKinsey & Co., one of the most influential management consulting firms in the world, recently stated that households and businesses could cut their energy bills by up to 28% and industries up to 20%. It announced that the U.S. could save $1.2 trillion over the following decade if energy efficiency systems are implemented.

Investment in energy efficiency is the primary stepping-stone toward the platform that will ultimately dictate the measures to cut gas emissions by half from now until the year 2050. It has been evident that productive financial investments in more energy-efficient technologies can provide huge savings for U.S. households and businesses, as well as reduce green house gas emissions.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, all buildings in the U.S. produce half of its total greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, ACEEE – the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (a non-profit body) reported that the U.S., together with the other members of the G8 group of industrial democracies made a commitment this month that they would cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050, urging all nations to work with them toward this goal.

Climate Change Bill

The climate legislation pending in the U.S. Senate would deal with issues of pollution to minimize the country’s emissions, as well as a much-needed financial markets strategy. It also aims to introduce a carbon trading system and to mandate the use of renewable sources instead of fossil fuels.

This will create new jobs in the green home industry. Those who oppose the climate change bill say it will kill jobs in the U.S. and result in higher taxes (BBC News).

What you can do at home

While the heat is on in the Senate, which is tackling the issues of climate change, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, let’s deal with some local and domestic issues concerning our own share of task to be energy-efficient, by which we can contribute to this global issue.

All American households combined represent about 20% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. There are measures you can apply to start saving energy at home, while effectively reducing your home’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are some easy ways to do it:

• Lower water heater temperature to 120 degrees F;
• Lower thermostat in the winter;
• Use cold water for washing clothes;
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances;
• Air-dry clothes in the summer;
• Use a programmable thermostat;
• Seal air leaks in your home;
• Insulate attics, HVAC ducts and your water heater;
• Unplug appliances not in use.

In the larger scheme of things, once people are aware of the benefits of reduced carbon emissions and the savings they would derive from it, it won’t be long before roofs will be covered by solar panels. Double glazed windows will be replacing the traditional wooden windows. People would install cavity insulations. These are but a few of the things we can do as individual homeowners. A large number of small changes add up to a big change.

It is very possible for us to do everything we can and make use of all possible remedies to reduce global warming, which poses the greatest risk of impact to our planet. It’s the only planet we have, so let’s take good care of it.

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2. Smart Grid + Smart Home = Zero Net Energy Home
3. Getting a new roof? Make it white!
4. Microsoft Hohm – The Newest Home Energy Tool
5. eSolar – A New Era of Solar Energy

Tagged as: energy efficient, Green, saving energy