Steps to Saving Energy

There a lot of steps we can take to save on energy. Here are a few to name.

~Install Low-Flow Fixtures: Federal regulations mandate that new shower head flow rates can't exceed more than 2.5 gallons per minute at a water pressure of 80 (psi).
~Insulate Hot Water Pipes : Insulating hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2-4ºF warmer allowing for a lower water temperature setting. By doing so you won't have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or shower head, which helps conserve water.
~Apply Permanent Weather Stripping:  Any little crevice or crack can contribute to alot of your energy savings out the door. A 1/8" space between a standard exterior door and its threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall. Closing the cracks, gaps, and/or crevices can save you up to 15 percent in heating and cooling costs and also can reduce the demand on your heating and cooling system.

Energy Costs in Office Buildings

Dim The Lights

Buildings such as office buildings use an average of 17 kilowatts an hour of electricity and 32 cubic feet of natural gas per square foot in the U.S. annually.In the average typically building heating, lighting, and cooling represents 65% of the total use making those systems the best target for energy savings. Energy represents 19% of total expense for the average office building. There are things that the average office building can do to reduce the amount of energy used is lights can be dimmed and turned off when the office is not in use. Computers and office equipment can be turned off when not in use but when they are in use turn the brightness of the screen down. Space heaters.. Really.. bring a blanket.

Alternative Building Material

Today there is alternative building material that range from high-tech to timber frame, today's houses are being built with more than wood and brick.  Here are a few to name.

Structural Insulated Panels. It is fiberglass panels that are made from insulated foam that is sandwiched between two layers of structural material. The advantages of this is it will be airtight than a conventionally built home because the insulation is installed in a controlled environment and measured to fit like a glove.

Steel Framing. Its light gauge steel studs instead of lumbar. The advantage of this is it supports heavier loads and provides longer-lasting construction.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). PVC is a hard, durable, synthetic material that is becoming a choice in new construction and remodeling for window frames, shutters, and siding.. The advantages of this is PVC materials last an average of 20 years with little or no maintenance. PVC pipes for water distribution, and sewage have been used for up to 50 years and are still in service.

Energy Consumption

Take a second to think about how much energy you use everyday.....
We use hot water which used a hot water heater that uses energy, we run the dishwasher, dryer, washing machine, a computer. Those are just a few to name. We use a lot of energy everyday. There are four groups that the U.S. Department of energy divides energy users into. There is Residential that uses 22% of energy, Commercial 19%, Transportation 28%, and Industry uses 31%. Any place that people live is considered a residential or commercial building. This consists of offices, hospitals, restaurants, homes, and school. There are grouped together because they use energy the same way such as heating water, heating and cooling, lights, and operation appliances. Homes and building consume more that a third of the energy used in the U.S. today.   Americans have reduced the amount of energy we used in the homes and work places in the past 30 years by improvements in technology and in the ways the equipment is made.

Passive Solar

Passive solar is a type of energy. Passive solar is the use of sunlight for useful energy without the use of active mechanical systems such as a furnace or air conditioner/swamp-cooler. These technologies convert sunlight into usable heat for the air in your home to keep it warm during the winter months and cool during the summer months.  This includes direct and indirect solar gain for many things and to name a few there is space heating and water heating. In the picture it shows a tree for shade and protection against wind and also will help reduce water evaporation. If the roof has a hang over it also helps keep the house shaded to keep the summer sun out and the cool air in. If you have heated insulation the windows will help keep the warmth in from the winter sun and keep the house at a comfortable temperature.