House energy savings estimator tool

New energy efficient Refrigerators and Freezers
Savings of $125/year;
$1.250 over 10 years
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Energy efficient refrigerators and freezers

Old refrigerators and freezers consume on average $200 per year in electricity. New energy efficient refrigerators can reduce that amount to $50 or less.
See also: Appliances and Electronics Annual Costs

 

Energy and Water Savings:
$450 over a period of 10 years, compared to regular machines;
$150 per year compared to old machines.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Clothes Washers Energy Efficiency

Typical families wash about 300 loads of laundry each year.
Certified clothes washers can use 20% less energy and 35% less water than regular machines; or 1/5 of the energy and 1/2 of the water consumed by older units.
See also: Appliances and Electronics Annual Costs

Calculations:
Energy savings compared to old (+10 years) clothes washers:
50-75%; $85-$110; 10 years: $850-$1.000
Water savings compared to old machines: about $50/year ($0.11 per gallon);
Energy savings compared to regular clothes washers:
20%; $21/year; 10 years: $210
Water savings compared to regular machines:
about $26.5/year ($0.11 per gallon); 10 years: $265
Source: mostly Energy Star.

 

Savings provided by highly efficient units:
at least $50/year, compared to older units.
$15/year, compared to new standard units (30%).
Savings provided by clothes lines and rackers, compared to clothes washers:
$500-$1.000 over a period of 10 years
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More information: Clothes dryers energy efficiency
See also: Appliances and Electronics Annual Costs

Older clothes dryers may consume more than $100 of electricity per year.
Clothes dryers account for over 4% of total home energy use in the US. They consume annually 43 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and 445 million therms of natural gas, and produce 32 million metric tons of carbon emissions (Energy Star data).

 

Savings provided by energy efficient dishwashers
at least $40/year, compared to old units.
at least $20/year, compared to new regular units.
Water savings
More than 10 gallons per cycle, compared to old units.
More than 1.300 gallons (about $140, for $0.11 per gallon) over the lifetime of the dishwasher.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦
More: Dishwashers energy efficiency

Dishwashers do not consume as much energy as freezers, refrigerators, clothes dryers or clothes washers. But they still consume a significant amount of electricity and water.

 

Energy savings provided by energy efficient units:
$40-$50/year compared to old units.
at least $10-$20/year compared to new conventional units.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦

Energy savings vary a lot; they depend on the number of hours the equipment is On or in Idle Mode. Some power supplies waste up to 80% of the energy that passes through them.
The power management settings of the new computers can reduce energy consumption to low levels. New laptops consume a lot less than old desktops.
See also: Appliances and Electronics Annual Costs

 

 

Savings provided by energy-efficient units:
Audio-video - 50-60%
Cordless phones - 50%
Set-top boxes & Cable Boxes - 45%
Televisions - 25%
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦ to ♦♦♦♦

A home with an energy-efficient a TV system, Blu-Ray player and audio will save at least $200 over the lifetime of the products (Energy Star data).
See also: Appliances and Electronics Annual Costs

 

Energy Savings through energy-efficient and changing of patterns of use:
Savings of at least 50%, that is, $165/year.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦

Every modern home has dozens (or hundreds) of electronic devices: vacuum cleaners, telephone charges and answering machines, hair-dryers and electric razors, electric grills, knifes, toasters, coffee machines... You name it. Overall, these devices and outdoor equipment are responsible for about 17%-22% (EIA) of the average American household electric bills.
Some hold flashlights, permanently plugged, can consume $20 of electricity per year, though most devices, occasionally used, aren't energy-intensive.
For significant savings switch them off or unplug them as much as possible.
Group several devices into one same power strip - with a switch - to turn them all off at the same time.

More: Home electronics & Energy Efficiency and Appliances and Electronics Annual Costs

 

LED and CFL lights electricity savings
75% compared to old incandescent lights;
50% compared to halogen lights;
Average savings of about $146 (average US household, with energy efficient fixtures).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Energy efficient lighting

Lighting accounts for about 13% of the household electric bill (USA, 2011): $195/year, on average.

 

Energy savings
LEDs can provide energy savings of 75%;
Light controls and design can increase energy savings to 90% or more.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Outdoor Lighting Guide

Outdoor lighting costs depend as much on energy efficient lights as on design, light controls and patterns of use.
LED (and CFL) bulbs for outdoors provide energy savings of 75%.
Shielded lights, timers, motion sensors and light controls can provide huge energy savings.
Low-voltage lighting systems only are effective with LEDs.

 

Solar lighting equipped with LEDs, efficient photovoltaic cells and good batteries can reduce pathway and security lighting costs to zero, in favorable conditions.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
Low-cost solar lights can be very ineffective: ♦
More: Solar Lighting

 

New energy fixtures provide more consistent lighting with less energy usage; they are also critical for the lifespan of new LEDs and CFLs and their energy savings.
Energy savings provided by new lighting systems:
$146/year (average American household).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦
More: Energy efficient lighting

 

Lighting savings
Average homes: 10-30% of the lighting bills: $20-$60/year
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦
Potential energy loss: very high; hundreds of dollars per year in cold climates.
Savings Rating: Negative
More: Skylights Guide

Skylights, roof windows and windows can provide significant lighting savings, and improve light comfort levels. But they can also be thermally disruptive. Skylights (and windows) can cause serious problems of glare and ultraviolet radiation, and overheating and huge heat loss (in cold climates). Use them carefully. Choose very high energy efficient skylights to minimize heat loss and unwanted heat gains. Consider sun tunnel and polycarbonate aerogel skylights.

 

Energy savings
Energy efficient tankless water heaters vs. standard storage models:
- savings of $80/year; savings of $1.700 over the lifetime of the heater.
Energy efficient gas storage vs. standard models:
- $40/year; $520 over the lifetime of the heater.
Condensing water heaters vs. standard water heaters:
- about $100/year, $1.300 over the lifetime of the heater, for modest water consumptions.
New heat pumps with water heating function:
- Savings of 50%-75% compared to common electric water heating;
savings comparable to the best gas water heaters
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Energy efficient Water Heaters

Water heating is an important component of the household energy bill: about 13% of the total, that is, $300-$450 per year in average households.

 

Solar water heaters vs. common gas heaters:
up to $140/year, in sunny climates; $2.900 over the lifetime of the heater;
Solar water heater vs. common electric water heaters:
up to $280/year (sunny climates); $5.200 over the lifetime of the heater.
Savings Rating (1-5) in moderate and hot climates: ♦♦♦♦♦
Savings Rating (1-5) in cold climates: ♦♦♦
More: Solar water heating guide

In sunny-cold climates solar PV systems (combining with new hot water heat pumps) can provide savings similar to those of solar thermal water heaters.
Water heating is an important component of the household energy bill: about 13%-17% of the total, that is, $250-$330 per year in average households.

 

Very high levels of insulation and comprehensive sealing will reduce energy loss and unwanted heat gains to the minimum, allowing small heating and cooling systems and huge energy savings.
Potential Energy Savings:
Combined with super-efficient windows, very high levels of insulation all over the envelope of the house can reduce heating and cooling bills up to 80%.
Average american homes: up to $690/year* (80%).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Insulation Guide for Energy Efficiency

* 80% of [29% (heating) + 13% (cooling) of $2.060] ($2060: average American utility bill, 2011)
Insulate and seal your attic/celing but also the walls and floors.
For Maximum Energy Savings consider:
Attic insulation: R-60 (Metric System/SI: R-10);. Exterior walls, basement walls and floors: R-40 (Metric: R-7).
Savings vary with the type of house (single family, appartment...), size, climate, overall levels of insulation and sealing, the reflectivity of the roof, the efficiency of the windows and household users behavior.

 

Wall insulation is critical for comfort and energy savings.
You need more than just high levels of attic insulation, or very energy efficient windows. Very high levels of wall insulation is also critical.
Super-insulated walls can provide energy savings of hundreds of dollars/year.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Exterior Walls Guide

Super-insulated walls (and attics, floors) will reduce your heating and cooling bills to very low levels; if you are building a new home, do it right that first time. Retrofit wall insulation is expensive.

 

Many homeowners and builders do not recognize the importance of under-floor and slab insulation, and end up with homes that are expensive to heat and cool.
Energy savings potential: dozens or hundreds of dollars/year.
Concrete slab insulation can reduce energy bills by 10%-20% ($60-$120, average household).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦
More: Floor & Energy Efficiency Guide

Concrete and other masonry floors can be used (in conjunction with windows) to absorb solar heat gains during the hotter parts of the day (in the winter), and to release that heat during the evening and nighttime, as temperatures fall and the heat is most needed. See: Thermal Mass Strategies

 

Some flooring materials can be important in some heating strategies (high thermal mass floors, to store solar heat gains, for instance).
But flooring materials do not replace under-floor insulation; from an energy efficient standpoint, the type of flooring is often a secondary issue.
Energy savings potential (1-5): ♦.
More: Flooring Guide

 

Attics are prone to extreme temperatures, and a source of energy loss and unwanted heat gains.
Attic insulation (and sealing) is critical for energy savings.
R-40 (SI: R-7) is usually considered a good level of insulation, but the ideal amounts are higher: about R-60 (SI: R-10.5) in cold climates and R-50 (SI: R-9) in other climates.
Super-insulated attics can provide energy savings of hundreds of dollars/year.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦♦♦♦♦
More: Attic Insulation

For each cubic feet of hot air leaking out through the attic, windows and other openings, another cubic feet of cold air will enter into your home through basement air leaks; and the process is reversed in the summer.
Basement air leaks can cost hundreds of dollars per year.
Similarly, without proper levels of basement insulation, heat will flow through the walls of the basement and floors above it, increasing the energy costs.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦♦♦♦♦
More: Basements Guide

 

Roofs can't ever be a significant source of useful solar heat gains.
Their role - besides that of keeping the water out - is to keep unwanted heat gains to a minumum, in hot weather.
That's important for comfort and to reduce air conditioning costs.
For energy savings consider attic insulation, radiant barriers under the roof, reflective roofing materials and coatings, roof ventilation and shading with trees. The best strategies vary with climate.
Roof cooling provide energy savings of hundreds of dollars/year.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦♦♦♦♦
More: Roofs Guide

 

Leaky and un-insulated home ducts, poorly designed, are a source of heat loss..
The Department of Energy of the USA estimates at $160 per household/year the energy loss due to leaky and un-insulated ducts.
Energy savings potential (1-5): ♦♦♦♦
More: Ducts Guide

In new homes consider ductless heating and cooling systems (and passive solar techniques, very high levels of sealing/insulation and energy efficient windows, to allow it).
When installing new ducts, consider short and straight runs; curves and 90º angles should be avoided. The ducts should be located in the thermal envelope of the house.

Potential energy savings provided by air sealing:
Single family homes (30%): $200/year/heating; $110/year/cooling costs.
Apartments and multi-family homes: up to $100/year/heating and $55/year/cooling costs.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Air sealing costs and payback

Air leaks, in cold climates, can be responsible for up to 30% of the heating loss (in winter) and 30% of the unwanted heat gain (in summer), in single family homes. These values drop to half or less in apartments and other multi-family homes.
Energy experts estimate that air leaks can cost to the average US homeowner more than $300 per year (for average heating bills of $638 and annual cooling bills of $374: EIA, USA, 2009). They include air leaks around doors and windows (21%), but also in fireplaces (14%), electrical outlets (2%), ducts (15%), plumbing penetrations (13%), fans and vents (4%) and ceiling, floors and walls (31%).

 

Energy savings provided by windows
- energy efficient windows: up to 15%, that is, $130/year
- super-efficient windows, with the right type of glass and top frames and sashes: more than $130/year.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Windows Guide

According to the Energy Star program, qualified windows can reduce energy bills by up to 15%. But there are many cases where savings are higher; windows are the weakest thermal point in any home's envelope. Unwanted winter heat gains in the summer can be huge; and windows are also a major source of heat loss in the winter.
Energy savings vary with the climate, the quality of the installation and the type of window. Casement windows can be used to deflect breezes - an important feature in cooling strategies and a way of reducing cooling costs, in hot climates.

 

Energy savings
- Very variable, depending on the location and number of exterior doors;
- Energy efficient doors vs. cheap plastic and metal doors, or glass doors: high energy savings; they can amount to more than $100/year.
- Very energy-efficient doors with a thick polyurethane foam vs. common wood doors: moderate energy savings.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦ to ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Doors Guide

When exposed to the elements and when they lead to the living space, energy inefficient doors are an important cause of energy waste through heat flow.
Glass doors are responsible for a large amount of heat loss in the winter, and unwanted heat gains in hot weather. Avoid them, as well as cheap plastic and metal doors.
Many modern exterior steel doors have a steel skin over a polyurethane foam core; fiberglass doors with a thick foam insulation core and good weatherstripping can match the insulation of steel doors.

Energy savings & Impact on the living space
They depend on the type of garage and its uses and insulation levels.
If the garage is creating thermal imbalances in your living space, the energy savings can amount to $100/year or more.
Otherwise the savings will be (very) small.
Only garage doors with good insulation and seals, properly installed, will provide significant savings.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦ to ♦♦♦♦
More: Garage doors guide

If the garage isn't attached to your living area and you don't want it to be comfortable, you may not need an energy-efficient garage door. Insulated garage doors may fall short of expectations; the quality of the their seals and installation are critical for energy efficiency.

 

Energy savings provided by energy efficient weatherstrips and caulking:
up to $60/year (approx. 6% of the average heating and cooling costs).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦ to ♦♦♦♦
More: Windows weatherstrips and Sweeps and Bottom Weatherstrips and Stop and Jamb Door Weatherstrips

Exterior doors and windows can be a cause of uncomfortable drafts and air leaks. They are among the most noticeable sources of air leakage, though their impact is not so important as many people think; basement and attic leaks are a lot more important, in typical single family homes.

 

Energy savings in hot climates:
Significant: Dozens of dollars/year, depending on the number and size of windows and the climate.
Window films aren't effective in windows with reasonable or high energy efficiency.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦ to ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Window reflective films

Sun reflective window films can block up to 75% or the solar heat in single-pane glass windows, and 30% of the visible light. Transparent films can also reduce heat loss during the winter.

 

The energy savings
Dozens of dollars per year, in cold climates, in homes with low energy efficient windows and doors.
Savings rating (1-5): up to ♦♦♦
More: Storm Windows Guide and Storm Doors

Storm windows do not provide any significant energy savings in homes with reasonable or high energy efficient windows.
But their low price make them a cost-effective option, in cold climates, in homes with inefficient windows..
Storm doors are not so effective; thermally, they only are advantageous in situations where exterior doors are very energy-inefficient, in cold conditions.

 

New vs. old air conditioners
A unit with a SEER of 18, compared to an old unit with a SEER of 9 provides electricity savings of 50%.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦
Qualified unit vs. non qualified unit:
about 15% (♦♦), that is, about $40/year.
The electricity consumption of any central AC system depends largely on proper sizing, installation and maintenance.
More: AC Guide

You can reduce your cooling costs through AC maintenance (remember: AC are like cars) or by using energy efficient air conditioners, properly sized and installed, or by sealing and insulating the AC ducts, or through a smart use of thermostats.
Anyway, central air conditioners are expensive to install and to run. Cooling costs amount to about $268/year for the average American home. Consider alternatives to central AC.

 

Electricity savings:
- savings of 50% or more ($133/year) compared to central AC.
- for further savings consider also the use of natural cooling strategies (based on breezes and shade) and ceiling fans.
Savings rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦
More: Guide to AC and Cooling and Ductless and Window AC

Ductless and window AC and mini-split heat pumps provide room-by-room cooling (zoning) and are a lot less expensive to buy and install (and less dependent on installation and sizing issues) than central AC.

 

Savings:
- Electricity savings of 66%-75% ($180-$200/year), compared to central air conditioners;
Savings rating (1-5) in hot dry climates: ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Evaporative coolers Guide

Central evaporative coolers consume 1/3-1/4 of the electricity of central air conditioners and cost about a 1/3 or less. They are an energy-efficient option for hot-dry climates; unfortunately current coolers perform badly in high-humidity conditions.
Alternatives for higher savings: natural cooling, ductless and window AC.

 

You may use your air conditioners in conjunction with ceiling fans (or other type of fans) to get energy savings without noticeable comfort loss. You just have to raise the AC setting.
Ceiling fans consume a small fraction of the electricity of air conditioners (1/100) and can provide large savings.

Energy savings
- Each one degree increase (Fº) in your air conditioner thermostat setting can decrease your air conditioner bills by about 3-5%.
- Raising the AC setting by 4ºF/3ºC provide energy savings of about 12%-18% (up to $50/year, average American household).
Savings rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦
More: Ceiling Fans & AC

 

Ceiling fans and Whole-House Fans consume a small fraction of the power of air conditioners. Typical ceiling fans consume less than 100 watts, that is, 1/100 or less than central air conditioners. And that makes them an effective alternative to air conditioning.

The biggest energy savings (80% or more; $200/year) are often a result of the combined use of fans with natural ventilation (breezes) and shading (in hot climates).
Energy savings provided by natural cooling:
80% or more ($200/year)
Savings rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Natural Cooling Guide

 

Energy savings provided by natural cooling:
80% or more ($200/year)
Savings rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Natural Cooling Guide

Air conditioners can be important for comfort in hot, humid climates; in most other cases, well designed homes do not require air conditioning.
But the biggest energy savings (80% or more; $200/year) are often a result of the combined use of...
- shading devices (overhangs, porches; awnings, blinds, shades, shutters) and strategies involving the shade of trees (in hot climates).
- ventilation strategies, including breezes and fans.
- window metallic films (in energy-inefficient windows).
- energy efficient windows;
- reduction of internal sources of heat 
- reflective roof coating materials.

New vs. old central furnaces
The energy consumption of central furnaces (gas, oil, pellets) depends largely on proper sizing, installation, maintenance and duct design and sealing.
But it depends also on its energy coefficient (AFUE).
A furnace with an an AFUE of 90% will waste about 10% of the heat in the gas, oil or pellets; an old 75% AFUE furnace wastes 25%.
Average savings: 20%-25%, that is, 125-$160/year (average US household).
Qualified unit vs. non qualified unit:
Average savings of about 15%, that is, about $95/year (average American household).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦
More: Furnaces Guide

The highest heating savings (♦♦♦♦♦) are achieved through very high levels or home insulation and sealing (to minimize heat loss), very energy efficient windows and alternative methods of heating (mini-splits, ductless heating, passive solar heating).

 

Vented wall gas furnaces are great for moderate climates, and an interesting choice for cold climates, in small and moderate sized homes, with very high levels of insulation.
This combination of home size and air-tightness with ductless gas furnaces can provide heating savings up to 80% ($500/year, average US household).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: New Ductless Wall Gas Furnaces

New central air-source heat pumps are able to produce 2-3 times more heat than the electricity they consume. New models (for colder climates) are very effective at temperatures as low as -13º F (-25º C) or so, which is a fantastic innovation.
Compared to older units and gas furnaces, new units can provide energy savings of at least 20%-25%, that is, 125-$160/year (average US household).
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦

For higher energy savings consider very high levels of home insulation and new ductless (mini-split) heat pumps.

 

New ductless heat pumps are the best heating choice not only in moderate climates but also in colder climates, in homes with very high levels of insulation and sealing.
They provide the maximum amount of energy savings and are inexpensive to buy and install, compared to other options.
They may not be effective in large homes with low levels of insulation, in regions with large periods of freezing temperatures, below -13ºF/-25ºC.
Savings Rating (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Ductless Heat Pumps Guide

 

Geothermal heat pumps can generate 3-5 times more electricity than the one they use.
They are excellent for condominiums and other multi-family homes, and large buildings.
Though they provide big energy savings, they are too expensive to buy and install (+$40.000) and their output is too large for single-unit energy-efficient homes.
Savings rating, large buildings (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Geothermal Heat Pumps

 

Hydronic systems provide very comfortable heating, but are expensive to buy, install and run.
New and more energy efficient boilers can provide some energy savings; differences of 10% in the AFUE of the boiler provides average savings of about $64/year (♦♦, average American households).
The design of the piping and zoning strategies can also increase energy savings.
Energy savings potential (1-5): ♦♦ to ♦♦♦♦

Though able to provide high comfort and healthy indoor air, radiant floor heating is rather useless, expensive and a potential source of overheating in well insulated homes with passive solar features and energy-efficient windows.
Energy savings potential (1-5): ♦
More: Radiant Floor Heating Guide

Zoning can provide very significant energy savings.
But all depends on the design of the house, its airtightness, the heating system, or user behavior (keeping the thermostat low, or turning off the heating system when the occupants are out, for instance).
Without good levels of insulation and sealing, or the right heating system with the right design, room-by-room heating will not provide the expected energy savings.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦♦♦♦
More: Zoning Guide

 

If you have decided to have a fireplace, consider a fireplace insert or a decorative electric fireplace.
Energy savings:
Inserts & Decorative electric vs. Traditional (1-5): ♦♦♦

Newenergy efficient fireplaces are 70% cleaner than non-qualified models; but even the best energy efficient fireplaces, are a poor choice from an energy-efficiency standpoint. Fireplaces are a lot more pollutant and less energy-efficient than wood stoves and fireplaces inserts using the new stove technology.
Fireplace inserts are at their core heating stoves designed to fit in the opening of existing fireplaces.

 

New heating stoves (and fireplace inserts) are a lot more efficient than traditional stoves and fireplaces, but that doesn't make them a good choice.
Their direct competitors (gas stoves or direct vent wall gas heaters) are better choices.
Energy savings:
New Wood Stoves vs Traditional and Fireplaces (1-5): ♦♦♦
More: Fireplaces and Heating Stoves Guide

Wood stoves are a poor heating choice for homes with reasonable or good insulation levels.
It's very difficult to control their heat output to the required levels.
Even small stoves, intended to heat just a single room or part of the house can be inadequate.

Small space heaters can be a good choice in moderate climates, in homes with good insulation levels.
In cold climates, small space heaters are mainly used to supplement the main heating system or to reduce the temperature setting of central systems;
They are especially useful just to keep a room or a person warm.
They can provide energy savings of hundreds of dollars.
Energy savings potential (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦
More: Small space heaters guide

Though excellent for heating comfort and healthy indoor air, radiant floor do not combine well with energy efficient homes, with high levels of insulation.
Also do not expect to make any significant energy savings with radiant floor heating systems.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦
More: Radiant Floor Heating Guide

Hot water radiant floor heating systems are expensive to install, whatever their type (slab-on-grade, thin-slab or plate-type).
The boiler, the tubing, the distribution system and the insulation of the slab will cost you +$12.000 (small sized homes).

 

Ceiling and wall electric panels do not have any inherent technological advantage over traditional electric heating systems.
They are relatively inexpensive ($100-$500 by panel/room), but they only make sense when used sparingly, for small uses.
Their manufacturers claim high electric savings, but that is only possible if the right contexts, properly used.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦♦♦
More: Radiant Electric Heating

 

Passive solar techniques use the landscape, home design features (shape, size of the house, overhangs, well placed and sized windows) and construction materials (high thermal mass floors and walls) for solar heat gains during the cold weather.

They cost little in new construction and can provide hundreds of dollars/year in energy savings.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦♦♦♦♦
More: Passive Solar Heating Guide

 

Over the last few years there have been major innovations in the engines of yard and garden equipment.
New mowers and other garden equipment can provide energy savings up to 70%, compared with old equipment.
Some electric equipment can also provide significant energy savings over gas units.
Manual garden tools, electric equipment and more energy efficient gas devices can reduce energy consumption in our gardens and yards by 80% or more.
Energy savings potential (1-5):♦♦♦♦♦
More: Yard and Garden Energy Efficiency Guide

Mowers, chainsaws and other equipment compliant with CARB/EPA 50-state emissions standards or other equivalent standards can make a big difference.
Though some electric yard equipment is rather useless for heavy tasks, some are a lot less polluting and energy-efficient.
Avoid gas leaf blowers and other energy guzzling equipment; even electric leaf blowers are rather unnecessary machines for average yards. Rakes, for instance, offer a carbon-free alternative to polluting and energy-inefficient leaf blowers.

 

There is a large potential of energy improvement in existing pools (in the USA alone, there are about 4.5 million swimming pools, each consuming on average $300-$400 worth of electricity, per year). 

Reducing the pool's pump operating time and using pool covers and wind breaks around the pool in windy areas can provide significant energy savings.

Multi-speed pumps (instead of single-speed units), better filters, shorter and larger diameter pipes and downsized single-speed systems can also provide high energy savings (50%+).

Energy savings potential (1-5): ♦♦♦♦♦(more than $200/year)
More: Pools Energy Efficiency Guide